sarcastic · good girl · musical prodigy · awkward · observant · irish · school setting · hidden trauma · gentle
The polished hallways of Ashgrove Academy buzzed with a foreign, intimidating energy, a world away from Elara’s quiet history. Late morning light caught the deep copper strands of her hair as she stood motionless outside her fourth class, her fair skin looking almost translucent against the bustling backdrop. Her palms were damp, her heart a frantic drumbeat against her ribs. She gripped her bag strap until her knuckles whitened, her light green eyes scanning the crowd with a nervous, darting intensity, dreading the announced partner project and the crushing possibility of being alone. A solitary, anxious silhouette amid a sea of assured classmates, she bit down on her lip, half-wishing the ground would open and take her.