The next day, Elara felt an unusual mix of dread and determination. She had promised herself she would face whatever truth Micah was ready to share. Whatever it was, she needed to understand him—not the rumors, not the whispers—but him.
She found him near the cedar tree after first period, waiting with a nervous energy she hadn’t seen before.
“Elara…” he said, shifting on the bench. “I think it’s time you know everything. About my family. About… my brother.”
Her stomach clenched. She nodded, gripping her tray so hard her fingers whitened. “I’m ready.”
---
The Story
Micah took a deep breath, eyes fixed on the ground.
“My mom left when I was seven. Didn’t even say goodbye,” he began. “My dad… he tries, but he’s… he’s not great at being consistent. And my brother… he… he made some bad choices. Things that got him into trouble, into danger. People still judge me for it. For his mistakes, for my family’s mistakes.”
Elara listened in silence, every word twisting in her chest. She felt anger at the unfairness, sadness for the boy sitting in front of her, and an unexpected surge of protectiveness.
“But here’s the thing,” Micah continued, finally looking up. “I’m not him. I’m not my dad. I’m… me. And I’m trying to be better. For myself. And now… for you.”
Elara’s eyes stung, but she forced a small, uncertain smile. “I don’t care about any of that,” she said softly. “Not the past. Not your family. I care about you—the person in front of me.”
---
School Tensions Explode
The moment was shattered by the shrill bell of the school intercom.
“Elara Santiago!” a voice called. “Front and center!”
Her stomach dropped. She turned to see Principal Hargrove standing at the courtyard, a clipboard in hand, glaring like a hawk.
“What did I do?” she whispered, panic rising.
“You’ll see,” Micah murmured, sliding his hand lightly over hers. “Stay calm.”
By the time they reached the front, a crowd had gathered. Whispers and snickers filled the air.
Principal Hargrove’s gaze swept over the students, then landed on her. “Elara, I’ve received multiple reports of confrontations yesterday. I want the truth. Now.”
Elara’s throat felt dry. She could have ducked, run, or blamed someone else—but Micah’s steady hand reminded her of what she had learned: honesty, even when terrifying, had power.
“I… stood up for someone,” she said, voice shaking but loud enough for nearby students to hear. “Because rumors shouldn’t control people’s lives. And no one deserves to be judged for their family’s mistakes.”
A hush fell over the courtyard. Even the students who had mocked her the day before seemed caught off guard.
Principal Hargrove’s expression softened, just slightly. “Good. That’s all I needed to hear.”
Micah squeezed her hand, a silent gesture of pride and solidarity.
---
A Bond Forged
Later, sitting under the cedar tree, the chaos of the day finally faded.
“You handled that amazingly,” Micah said, his voice quiet but full of awe.
Elara shook her head, still catching her breath. “I was terrified. I thought I’d freeze.”
“You didn’t,” he said. “You faced it. And that… that says more about you than any rumor ever could.”
For the first time, the cedar tree didn’t just feel like their place of escape. It felt like a witness to something stronger: trust, courage, and the beginnings of a bond that could survive more than whispers and judgment.
Elara looked at him and smiled—a small, genuine curve of lips that carried more weight than she realized.
“We’re going to be okay,” she said softly.
Micah nodded, and for the first time, neither of them felt entirely alone in Hollow Creek.
VOCÊ ESTÁ LENDO
✨ "When the Light Returns" ✨
Espiritual🌙 PROLOGUE At 17 years old, Elara James believed God lived in the space between her heartbeat and her breath. She felt Him when her mother hummed hymns in the kitchen, when sunlight broke through storm clouds, and when she whispered bedtime prayers...
