Chapter 7 : Shattered Reputation

It started as soon as I stepped into the hallway.

     I barely had time to register the whispers before something slammed into my shoulder. It wasn’t a hard shove—just enough to send my books tumbling to the floor. I stumbled, catching myself against the lockers as laughter rippled through the crowd.

     “Oops,” Leander drawled, smirking as he stepped past me. “Didn’t see you there, Scholar.”

     Max snorted. “She’s too busy playing babysitter for Elodie to watch where she’s going.”

     I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to kneel and pick up my books. My hands shook slightly as I stacked the pages back together, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck. The laughter spread around in the air, as people crowded around to see what was left of The Valiant Serena.

     Someone kicked my pen, sending it skittering down the hallway. A new voice—Philip, from my chemistry class—laughed. “Bet Elodie’s rubbing off on her. Maybe she’s finally losing her perfect little touch.”

     I refused to look up, focusing on picking up my stuff. If I didn’t react, they’d get bored. They always did. Just like before. Like when my scores were higher or got more awards. The taunting will stop soon enough.

     But this time, they didn’t.

     A wad of paper hit me in the back of my head. Another square in my back. I turned my head, managing to see Teresa crumple another sheet. “Hey, you used to be more talkative. Did Elodie eat your soul or something?”

     More laughter. I blinked back the tears. I can’t cry like this in public. But I’m watching my reputation I earned by working hard, by being perfect for seven years crumble to dust. My former friends, admirers watching as I turn to nothing but mud under their tread.

     I stood up, heading towards my locker. If only I could reach it and get my stuff…

     Someone shoved me hard in the back, knocking me down onto my knees just in front of my locker. My books scattered around, my knees stinging from something. Somehow, I knew what was going to happen and kept my head lowered.

      “Hey, open your locker,” Max mused.

     I don’t want to, knowing that they must have done something to my stuff. When I raised my head, I saw my locker. Or what used to be my locker.

     Red and black markers smeared the whole space that belonged to me. Messages.

    “Elodie’s dog."

    "Traitor."

    "Loser lover."

    "Weird little freak."

     My fingers trembled as I entered the password. Glancing around, I could see all eyes on me. They are watching if I would back down. My watch reads 7:57. If I didn’t do something quick, I’ll have to go to chemistry empty handed. Steeling myself, I pulled open the locker.

     Garbage poured out. Crumpled papers. Empty food wrappers. Someone had even stuffed a half-eaten sandwich inside, the bread already turning soggy. A used juice box tumbled to the floor, sticky liquid leaking onto my books.

    Roaring laughter assaulted my ears. I stared at my ruined books, with all the notes inside, all my homework sheets crumpled and ripped. And my pen was missing.

     Not just any pen. The one my father left me before he left. A golden fountain pen, the writing smoother and blacker than any other. I only used it for signing my name on tests and stuff. It was my strength to push through all the classes, tests and ballet lessons. I rummaged through the trash.

     Where is it?

     “Looking for something, Serena?”

     I turned my head. Rachel held my precious pen in her hands.

     “Oh, this?” Rachel smirks. “Didn’t know you were this attached to a stupid pen.”

     I lunged for it, but Leander intercepts, shoving me back. Laughter erupts around me as I fall onto the floor.

     Rachel rolls the pen between her fingers, examining it with mock fascination. “It’s kinda fancy. Real gold, huh?”

     “Give it back,” I grit out.

     Rachel's smirk widens. “Sure.”

     Then, in one swift motion, she snaps it in half.

     Ink spurts out, splattering her fingers, staining my skirt. Rachel yelps, but the damage is done. She tosses the broken pieces to the ground, letting them land in the pile of garbage.

     I stare at the broken pieces. My only connection to my father, lost somewhere in the world, looking for a way to return to me. So carelessly tossed onto a pile of junk. The tears lost control as I fumbled to scoop up the pieces.

     “Wow that’s a lot of trash,” Teresa mused. “I never knew you’ve got the habit of keeping souvenirs of this kind!”

      “Yes, you should clean it up,” another girl, Brielle, chimed in. “That’s utterly disgusting.”

     I glanced at my watch again. 7:59. I’m going to be late for class. But the lingering giggles, the scornful eyes stayed in my vision. “Clean it up.” “You’re so disgusting.” The scrap talk surrounded me.

     I can’t fight back. It will ruin my reputation. “Oh my gosh, Serena attacking her own schoolmates? So mean!” No, that’s impossible. Maybe befriending Elodie is against the rules. Maybe, if I did as they say, they will forgive me.

     The bell tolled, and the remaining spectators hurried off to class. Some looked back as they sprinted away, watching as I throw the garbage away armful by armful, dirty stains all over my uniform.