Chapter 18 : Rising Together
As weeks passed, things continued to change. With Teresa now standing with us, even if in a quiet way, we seemed to gain more respect from the other students. Our group had grown, and the school’s atmosphere was shifting, slowly but surely. The whispers were no longer cruel. Instead, I caught glimpses of admiration and curiosity. Samantha, Elodie, Teresa, and I began to naturally find our place, with each day drawing us closer to a new version of ourselves.
But there was still a lingering doubt in the back of my mind—what would happen if the bullies tried again? What if they couldn’t accept losing their hold over us?
The next test came sooner than I had anticipated.
One afternoon in the cafeteria, Felicia and Ivy walked past our table, their eyes locked on ours. I could feel the tension rising as they drew closer. It was almost as though we were back to square one, like all the progress we had made would be undone in a single moment.
I held my breath, but this time, it was different. Felicia, usually so confident in her ability to provoke us, faltered as she came within earshot. Ivy, who had once been her ally, kept her eyes down, avoiding any confrontation.
Without a word, Felicia threw us one last glare and walked away, her footsteps echoing in the silence she left behind. For a second, it was hard to believe what had just happened.
“She’s done,” Samantha murmured, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction. “They’re all done.”
I let out a long breath, the weight of those years of bullying lifting off my shoulders. Felicia and her friends had been the source of so much pain and frustration, but now, they were nothing more than distant memories of a past that no longer held power over us.
As if on cue, other students around us started noticing the shift. More people began to approach us during lunch, not out of obligation, but genuine interest. We weren’t isolated anymore. We weren’t the outcasts. We were part of something bigger now—a group of friends who stood together, no longer pushed around by anyone. And Teresa, though she had always been quiet, was now seen as part of our group. She had helped dismantle the last vestiges of the bullies’ rule.
One of the most significant moments came when we received our final exams results. It was a Thursday afternoon when Mrs. Hall called us up to the front to collect our papers. The anxiety I had felt throughout the year—wondering if I was truly capable of succeeding—flooded back for a moment. But when I looked at Elodie, she gave me a soft smile, her eyes full of encouragement.
Mrs. Hall handed us our papers one by one, calling our names. The flutter of paper formed a quiet chorus, making my heart beath fast. As I took hold of mine, I took a deep breath, braced myself and opened my sheet, eyes fleeting to see my average.
87. The worst score I ever got. My lips felt dry and my face felt hot enough to fry a thousand eggs.
But then I looked up at Elodie, and everything changed. Elodie’s face was bright with pride as she stared at her own results. She had excelled, just like she always did.
And her very expression made all the disappointment wash away. Strangely, I didn’t care about my score anymore. What was important is that we both got something more valuable than a good score.
Mrs. Hall cleared her throat, her voice cutting through my thoughts. “Before I dismiss you all, I’d like to recognize one student for their outstanding improvement this year.” She paused, looking around the room. “Elodie, your hard work and dedication have truly paid off. You’ve made incredible progress, and I am pleased to present you with a certificate for most improvement.”
Elodie’s face lit up with a joyful smile. The room burst into applause, and I couldn’t help but feel proud of her. She had come so far, and seeing her stand there, holding that certificate, was a reminder of just how much we had both grown.
But the surprise didn’t end there.
“Now,” Mrs. Hall continued, “I’d like to recognize Serena as well. Though your results may not be as strong as Elodie’s, you’ve shown incredible perseverance this year. I know you struggled at times, but your dedication has not gone unnoticed. Because of this, I am officially naming you Elodie’s tutor.”
The room quieted. It wasn’t a huge accomplishment, not compared to Elodie’s certificate, but it was mine. It was a recognition that I had worked hard, even when I had doubted myself. That I did not stick to the Earth, but soared the sky, an eagle once again. That I fell and rose from my own ashes.
I looked at Elodie, who beamed at me with pride. Together, we had come so far, and we would continue to rise above whatever obstacles the world threw at us.
A slight breeze floated through the window. Sunlight shone into the classroom, illuminating my heart with thousand rays of gold. I wondered what would have happened if I haven’t seen Elodie beneath the hopeless student. I would still be that happy and perfect student, right?
No. As Elodie and I proceed through all the storms and rainbows of life, I realized I have discovered something even more than perfection.
