October 13, 1999 – Outskirts of Eva
The sun king has just awakened from his habitual sleep, and along with him, the birds begin to conquer the sky. The once-bored clouds seem to come alive with golden hues blending with their usual white. Even the unnoticed mist gradually retreats from the stage.
A young girl named Sarah is saying goodbye to her mother at the front door of her house. Her long black hair, contrasting with her fair skin, sways slightly with the gentle breezes surrounding the environment.
— No uniform again? — Leila, a woman with red hair and green eyes, furrows her brow for a moment.
— We have P.E. today… — Sarah replies while adjusting her backpack on her shoulders.
— I even ironed it for you. — Leila grumbles as she places a fruit in the backpack.
— My bad! — Sarah is already on her bicycle.
— Don't talk to straaangers!!! — Leila shouts in the background, her voice filled with concern, but Sarah pays little attention and continues on her way after a distracted wave.
As she pedals for minutes, she glances at the houses, some cars, and even a military vehicle, light brown, making its morning patrol. She admires the gray light emanating from its rear bumper. Soon, she sees another one just like it, sparking her curiosity, but it quickly fades when she spots the school gate.
Upon crossing the gate and reaching the bicycle rack in a corner, three girls leaning against a half-fence watch her arrival with malicious eyes, whispering among themselves.
— Hey, girl! Come here!... — Called one of the girls, with light brown hair.
Sarah approaches with a slight expression of doubt.
— What grade are you in? — The girl in the group asks with a tone of superiority.
— Eighth grade… Why? — Sarah responds, still looking puzzled, staring slightly upward at the girl's face.
The three girls exchange glances in silence for a moment before letting out light chuckles and turning their eyes back to her.
— You're what, thirteen? — The girl questions again.
— Fourteen…
— Nice bag, little girl. — Another of the three girls, with straight, dark brown hair, steps closer while complimenting her backpack with an ironic tone. She even touches it to check what fabric it's made of.
Sarah merely watches with a sidelong glance.
— Hey, isn't she the daughter of that businessman? — Then she asks aloud, shooting an accusatory look at Sarah.
— Oh, that's right! The one with business ties to the nobles of Âmica... — The light-brown-haired girl adds to the accusation, and at that moment, the girls' gazes burn with resentment. — She must be one of those spoiled rich kids. By the way, why aren't you in a private school? — Again, she throws sharp words with an intimidating tone.
— Oh, now I remember!... She plays with the sophomore boys! — The third girl, with chocolate-colored curly hair, spits her words like venom.
— Eww! Gross! Stay away, girl... boy… whatever you are! — The light-brown-haired girl backs away from Sarah with a look of disgust.
Sarah stares at the girls, her fists clenching.
Before anything else could happen, a group of three boys approaches, wrapping the girls in excited hugs. After a few seconds, one of the girls notices that Sarah has disappeared, but… it doesn't matter anymore.
Minutes pass, and soon the bell rings. The students head to their classrooms. Shortly after, the teachers arrive a bit late and begin their work.
As the teacher turns to write something on the board, Marcela, a slender girl with blonde hair who sits behind Sarah, lightly taps her back to get her attention.
— Why didn't you come eat with us today? We were worried. — Marcela asks in a sweet voice, a hint of concern in her expression.
— I wasn't hungry… — In a husky, low voice, Sarah mutters as her gaze drifts distantly toward the floor between the desks.
At that moment, Marcela notices small marks on her friend's desk, as if some liquid had been hastily wiped away. With a sad look on her face, she imagines what might have happened, questioning the reason in her thoughts.
The lessons pass, one after another, explanations and questions are exchanged, some jokes arise, and finally, the break time arrives.
Sarah leaves before everyone else and sits on the ground, leaning against a wall beside the courtyard, seeking a bit of sunlight. The younger children, who had just rushed to line up for their school snack, are now running and playing tag across the yard.
Meanwhile, the older students are all sitting, chatting, and eating. Some still risk embarrassing themselves by playing around.
— Hey, can I sit here? — Marcela approaches from the left, her brow slightly furrowed as she watches Sarah, who sits cross-legged, resting her head in the palm of her left hand, her elbow propped on her thigh.
Without turning, Sarah nods in agreement, her gaze still distant.
After a few seconds of silence:
— So… tell me what happened? — Marcela asks again, looking down.
Silence engulfs their little corner for a few minutes.
— You're upset because of those idiot girls, aren't you? — A young, deep male voice chimes in from their right.
— Bernardo! — Marcela recognizes him in the sunlight.
— Hey, Marcela! — He replies before turning his gaze back to Sarah. — I saw you at the entrance today. Those idiot girls were messing with you, weren't they?
— So that's why you cried? — Marcela asks without thinking.
Sarah looks at her with an annoyed expression.
Bernardo sits to Sarah's right, and after a few seconds of silence between them, Sarah takes a deep breath and slowly exhales, closing her eyes.
— Do you guys think I look like a boy? — Sarah asks, looking down.
— No! That's just your way of being… and to me, you're still a girl. You're the coolest girl in this school! I still remember your guts when you went down that huge hill without braking your bike. — Bernardo exclaims with enthusiasm, his gaze lost in the kids running across the courtyard. — You're way cooler like this than if you were some spoiled little princess.
— That's true, I'm even afraid of riding a bike, but you always encourage me. — Marcela says gently, turning her gaze to Sarah.
Tears roll down Sarah's eyes. Marcela moves closer and hugs her. Bernardo follows suit. Smiles are born amid the sun's rays.
— I love you guys! — In her slightly husky voice, filled with an immeasurable peace, she lets herself be carried away by the moment.
— I love you too! — Bernardo replies warmly.
— I loooove you guuuys toooo... — Then Marcela starts crying.
Bernardo and Sarah begin laughing at their friend.
Sarah stands up and turns to them with the happiest look in the world—eyes of someone who already has everything she ever wished for. She grabs their arms and pulls them.
— Come on, let's go! The tag game must be exciting today. I want to see if anyone will finally be able… — With a beaming smile, Sarah leads them to join the other kids, trying to make the most of the minutes they still have before the break ends.