The classroom buzzed with the low hum of chatter, but Ere'ana wasn't paying attention to any of it. She sat stiffly in her seat, her eyes glued to her notebook as she doodled aimlessly in the margins. The teacher's voice droned on in the background, but the whispers and muffled laughter from a group of girls two rows over were much louder in her ears.
"Did you see what she was wearing yesterday? Total thrift store vibes."
"I'm surprised she even tries to look cute. What's the point?"
Ere'ana's chest tightened. She didn't need to look up to know they were talking about her. She could feel their eyes on her, their judgment pressing down on her like a weight.
"Did you hear she was late again this morning? Classic Ere'ana. Can't even manage to show up on time."
Her pencil stopped moving, and she clenched it tightly in her hand. She wanted to turn around, to tell them off, but the words stuck in her throat.
Instead, she raised her hand.
"Miss Walker?" the teacher said, arching a brow.
"Can I go to the restroom?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.
The teacher hesitated, then nodded. "Be quick."
Ere'ana grabbed her bag and hurried out of the room, keeping her head down to avoid the smug smirks and giggles that followed her.
The hallway was empty, silent except for the faint hum of the overhead lights. Ere'ana made her way to the nearest restroom, pushing the door open and stepping inside.
The cold tiles and sterile smell offered little comfort, but at least she was alone. She slipped into the farthest stall, locking the door behind her, and sat down on the closed toilet seat.
Her chest felt tight, and she let out a shaky breath, pressing the heels of her palms against her eyes. "Don't cry," she whispered to herself. "Don't you dare cry."
But the tears were already threatening to spill, burning at the corners of her eyes. She clenched her fists, trying to steady her breathing, but the whispers from the classroom echoed in her head like a broken record.
"Why do they always pick on me?" she muttered, her voice barely audible. She leaned back against the stall door, staring up at the ceiling. "What did I even do to them?"
She bit her lip hard enough to hurt, hoping the sting would distract her from the lump in her throat. It didn't.
Minutes passed, and Ere'ana stayed where she was, too afraid to go back to class and face the girls who made her life miserable. She didn't want them to see her like this. She didn't want anyone to see her like this.
But hiding in the bathroom wasn't exactly a solution, either. She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie, took a deep breath, and told herself she'd be okay.
"Just five more minutes," she whispered. "Five more minutes, and then I'll go back."
Outside the restroom, footsteps echoed down the hall. Avarina appeared, her head swiveling as she scanned the empty hallway. She'd noticed Ere'ana's sudden exit and the way she'd been unusually quiet all morning.
She tapped lightly on the bathroom door.
"Ere? You in there?"
Ere'ana stiffened at the sound of her voice. She debated staying silent, but Avarina wasn't the type to give up easily.
"Ere, come on. I know you're in there," Avarina said.
Ere'ana sighed, standing up and unlocking the stall door. She poked her head out, her red-rimmed eyes meeting Avarina's worried gaze.
"Hey," Avarina said softly. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Ere'ana lied. "Just… needed a minute."
Avarina didn't look convinced, but she didn't press. Instead, she leaned against the sink, crossing her arms.
"Those girls are assholes," she said bluntly.
Ere'ana blinked. "What?"
"You think I didn't hear them?" Avarina scoffed. "They're idiots, Ere. Don't let them get to you."
Ere'ana looked down, her hands fidgeting with the strings of her hoodie. "It's not that easy."
"I know," Avarina admitted. "But you're stronger than this. Don't let them win."
Ere'ana let out a small laugh, though it sounded more like a scoff. "Easier said than done."
"Hey," Avarina said, stepping closer. "You've got me, okay? And Jack. And Ira. You've got people who actually care about you."
Ere'ana looked up, her lips twitching into a small, hesitant smile. "Thanks, Ava."
"Anytime," Avarina said, grinning. "Now, let's get out of here before the teacher sends a search party."
Ere'ana nodded, taking one last deep breath before following Avarina out of the restroom. Her heart still felt heavy, but knowing she wasn't completely alone made it a little easier to carry.