For the rest of the week, my name was basically glued to Elena's in every conversation.
"Did you see them walk in together?"
"Elena babysitting the Lima girl."
"It won't be funny when Sophie is back."
Elena didn't seem bothered by any of it. Instead, she seemed even happier. She started attending every morning prep with me, following me everywhere I went. She didn't give me a chance to breathe. No matter where I was, she was there. I tried to explain that it wasn't necessary, but she just smiled and stayed.
By Friday, even the school announcement board joined the drama.
"Solaria Physical Conditioning Day Teams Assigned!"
And guess who was finally getting a break from her magnet? It was me.
That Friday morning, the digital school portal pinged on my tablet. Solaria Academy was nothing if not formal even the way they announced events carried an air of prestige.
I clicked it, and the screen lit up with the official header
Solaria Academy – Annual Physical Conditioning Day
Date June 2 2017
All students are required to participate. Team assignments have been posted on the main bulletin boards outside the gymnasium. This day tests skill teamwork and endurance. Bring your best.
The portal chat exploded. Returning students whispered strategy notes and shared knowing glances. Newcomers like me felt our hearts skip a beat. Everyone had been talking about this day since the start of the term and suddenly it was here.
By the time I arrived at the bulletin board, a crowd had gathered. Teams were displayed in neat columns, each with a team name, roster, and captain. Aurora Hawks, Solaria Titans, Cobalt Wolves it looked impressively official, like a spread from a sports magazine.
I scanned my team roster looking for Morgan. And luckily for me, no Morgan. Relief washed over me. I didn't even bother checking the rest. Everything was fine as long as Elena wasn't there.
I jumped happily, turning toward my class, when a voice screamed, "Ayla!"
It was Eden. She's the only one in Solaria who still calls me by my name. Everyone else calls me Lima or refers to me as that Elena roommate. She walked toward me, smiling like an angel.
I smiled back as we walked together.
"Did you check the portal?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied, smiling. "I'm not on the same team as Elena."
"Yes, that's nice," Eden said, grinning. "I'm also happy we're on the same team."
"Same team you and I?" I paused, shocked.
"Of course," she said, surprised. "Didn't you read the portal?"
I blinked. Of course I read the portal, but I had only checked if I wasn't on the same team as Elena. Since she wasn't there, I hadn't bothered about anything else. I didn't even know the name of my team. All I knew was that I was not on the same team with Elena.
"Oh," I muttered, realizing how much I'd been obsessing over her. "I was just about to look for you and tell you we are on the same team. That's nice. I didn't know you checked it too." I lied. She didn't press further, and we continued walking together.
We returned to class, talking about what the day would be like, and somehow I found myself smiling and laughing. She is the only one in this school that makes me happy and feel like a student in this school.
When we got to class, I couldn't find Elena. I asked a classmate, who told me she had gone to the teacher's office. I quickly guessed she might have tried to rearrange the teams. My excitement faltered, hoping she would fail. Luckily, a few minutes later, she entered the classroom. The look on her face said it all. Things hadn't gone her way this time.
That alone was enough to make me feel like I could finally enjoy a normal day without her hovering. And with that, I started looking forward to the day like everyone else.
The rest of the week, she was angry and kept her distance, issuing new dorm rules as if to remind me who was in charge. She distanced herself from me a little. I couldn't have been happier. Slowly, the days of the Physical Conditioning Event arrived.
Students hustled toward the gym and outdoor courts, buzzing with excitement. Even newcomers like me felt our hearts skip a beat.
That early morning, I checked the school portal again, hoping my happiness wouldn't be ruined. Lucky me, everything was still the same. No new Elena.
I clutched my team roster, scanning for familiar names. Eden was there, smiling as usual. And thankfully, no Elena. Relief washed over me.
The teams were lined up behind their banners. Aurora Hawks, Solaria Titans, Cobalt Wolves. My team, Aurora Hawks, was a mix of newcomers and returning students. I spotted Eden waving me over, and together we found our place in line.
"Ready?" she whispered, her grin infectious.
The whistle blew, and the first event began. The relay obstacle course. Each team had ten members, so coordination was key. Students ran across the field, leaped over hurdles, crawled under nets, and scrambled up walls before passing the baton to the next teammate. Eden and I synced effortlessly, dodging obstacles and sprinting with precision, while our other teammates tackled their sections in various styles, some graceful, some less so.
Next came the precision toss challenge. Each student had to throw weighted balls into hoops at different distances. The more accurate the throw, the more points. I lined up behind Eden, watching as she calmly measured her stance, smiled, and tossed the ball straight through the hoop. I cheered loudly for her. And found my master eyes locked on me every second her fiery eyes speaking louder like how could you be happy without me.
My throw missed by inches. Eden tapped my back and told me it was fine as she made sure to win more points for our team. Elena, on a nearby team, rolled her eyes. I didn't know why, but she didn't seem happy with how happy I was.
Next up was the classic team versus team tug-of-war. Each squad lined up on opposite ends of the thick braided rope, ten members per side, muscles taut with anticipation. The Aurora Hawks, my team, faced off against Elena's team, the Solaria Titans. The crowd gathered close, cheering and shouting, turning the event into a spectacle.
Eden stood at the front, grabbing the end of the rope while I and the other eight members formed a straight line behind her, hands firm and grip determined. Across from us, Elena's group did the same, with Elena at the front. Her eyes locked onto me. I felt that familiar prickle in my chest, that silent death stare, but I didn't care. Today was my happy day, and I wasn't going to let her ruin it. I quickly looked away.
She kept shooting glances at me, fire in her eyes, giving me that "do you take my permission before being that happy" look. I ignored it, determined to enjoy the day. She then locked eyes with Eden, who returned the stare immediately.
"Pull!" the referee yelled.
The rope strained taut. Elena's team pulled with all their strength, inching forward, dragging our team toward the center line. The way Elena pulled didn't make it seem like a high school sport game. It looked like some Olympic level showdown. Arms trembled. Eden nearly fell but held her ground, gripping the rope with all her might, while the rest of us anchored her, pulling together.
I glanced at Eden, who was giving it her all. Without thinking, I leaned into her, wrapping my arms around her waist and anchoring myself as tightly as possible. Eden's eyes widened briefly in surprise, then focused fiercely on the rope.
Elena's face flickered, first shock then pure irritation. Her jaw tightened, eyes narrowing. She saw me holding Eden so close, and I don't know why, it threw her off. She jerked back, trying to adjust her stance, but the distraction broke her team's rhythm.
The crowd's cheers grew louder. With one final united heave, our team pulled the rope across the line. Victory. The Aurora erupted in cheers, lifting Eden and high-fiving teammates. I couldn't stop laughing, adrenaline buzzing through me.
Elena staggered back, glaring at me with disbelief and fury.
Eden jumped up and hugged me tightly in excitement, which I returned. Suddenly, I felt a tug from behind. I turned, and it was Elena. She quickly pulled me away from Eden, grabbed my hand, and dragged me out of the field, all eyes on us, loud murmurs rising from the crowd.