Teachers and staff hurried into Valie's room and began yapping here and there. Then, half went off into Giselles room and closed the door. Each person was asking the same question about her being 'okay', 'did anything hurt', 'why didn't anyone do anything sooner'. Valie ignored what each person was saying, she was just tired and wanted to leave, however, one word caught her attention and she was immediately wide awake. "We need to call your parents, Valerian. They should be here to see how we proceed", one of the teachers worried. Valie looked at the ground and slowly answered a question they had not asked. "I um...my parents aren't here right now. They left to go to a conference a while ago. They won't be back for a couple of months," her words were almost somber in tone. The adults around her murmured some more and she decided to interrupt them. " Since I was the one who got hurt here, can you just sent her home for a few days? She looks exhausted. It's almost winter break anyway". They all continued to talk and Valie continued to look down, thinking about her future model. 

     Giselle was surrounded by a room of disappointed people, but she was too tired to care. Her parents then appeared. They were informed of their daughter's suspension and then were sat down next to her. They both looked well dressed and exhausted as if problems piled up every time their child was mentioned, but still needed to look above it all. Giselle's mother kept looking at her daughter, staring so uncomfortably that even the teacher in the room was feeling the tension. "Mrs. Himmel, your daughter is to be suspended for two weeks, then winter break will begin and she can come back. But, in the words of the affected student 'talk to her'...". The teacher paddled on and everything just became muffled. Giselle knew what was going to happen the moment she went home, she was going to get yelled at and sent to her room. They would not ask for an explanation, they would not show concern, they would not listen to her. But, the truth was a little far off. Her parents did indeed stray away from her, but, they did care. They were even happy when she seemed to return to her normal beautiful self, but they were now at a loss for what to do. This family was never good when dealing with emotions, instead of addressing concerns or dealing with them, they decided it was more comfortable to ignore it, let it boil over until the damage was done and a deep emotional scar with left in its wake.

     The family of three left. Each one holding their daughter and gently placing her in the car, not a word was said among the staff. Valie stood and exited the front office, outside waiting for her was Rosie. She seemed to calm down and the day went on as if nothing happened.

                                                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~

   It was Wednesday and surprisingly, there was no school today.  Valerian had mostly healed from her beating, but, even if the bruises still lingered on her face, she still needed to find a particular type of yarn for her project. She needed to go a little further than usual for this type of product since buying it where it was sold in abundance would not raise anyone's suspicions of her. Thus, with only a little change in her hair and mundane look, she was in and out as if nothing happened. She began to walk back, but she felt something was strange. As she strolled down the almost abandoned street, she felt someone was following her, but she didn't want to make it obvious that she had noticed. She continued and noticed she still held coins in her hand. She pretended to count her change and "accidentally" dropped one, which in turn rolled into a nearby alleyway. She chased it and quickly turned and waited. Footsteps began to rush and rush until the person was in full view. Their eyes met, and it was a boy. He stared, smiled, then proceed with a warm, "Valie, I'm glad I caught up with you". That smile could stop anyone and turn them into a blushing mess. The boy in front of Valie knew this, but she never acted the way he wanted when he saw her. Of course, she smiled back at him, but, it was only to be polite. She looked like she had the most appropriate response on the surface, but every time he saw her eyes...there was nothing there. No gleam, no reaction, just black dots that made him feel beneath her.

     Valie smiled at this boy with the gleam in his grey eyes, "Hi, Elis. What are you doing here". He stared at her, eyeing the bag she held. She noticed this and quickly hid it behind her back and put the rest of the coins in her pocket. He looked up again, still smiling, "I'm just hanging out with a few friends, told them to wait for me since I saw a friend from school". Valie decided to just leave since this conversation was useless and this wasn't even considered a friend, "Well...glad to see you." She began to walk off, but she was immediately grabbed by the shoulder and turned to face Elis again. She quickly shook his hand off her, but before she could make a retort, he caressed the still visible bruise on her forehead. "This is my fault...isn't it?", he made a regretful face, like a puppy who had just spilled some water. He came closer, Valie continuing to step back now trapped between the wall and Elis. Valie was confused, she didn't want him anywhere near her, she didn't even like touching him. But, his face was getting closer, and in a panic, she violently shoved him off of her making him stumble back. He was surprised at what he saw when he turned to her again. Her eyes seething with rage, a gleam that was not there before was in full display for him, his eyes went wide with delight. She quickly took out a napkin from her pocket and furiously wiped the shoulder that he touched. "I'll say this once, I think you're filthy, when I'm anywhere near you I can't help but feel like I am dirty. So don't go near me, don't talk to me, don't touch me. I will be polite when people are around and that is as far as I am willing to go." Elis was surprised, as soon as she finished her sentence she dropped the wrinkled napkin and left. 

     Elis recollected himself and waited until Valie was out of sight and called out to someone nearby, "Hey, you can come out now. I get what you said now". Then from a near corner of the street, Giselle appeared. "You see, I told you she was two-faced. I'm glad you finally understand Elis", Giselle said happily as she clung to Elis. He shook her off and smiled that angelic smile, signaled Giselle to follow him, and began to flatter her. "Giselle, I'm really sorry for what happened. I still don't know why you like me so much? But, thank you, for giving me another chance". Gisell shook her head, "I just need you, I would do anything for you", she looked at him like he was the only source of light she was able to hold on to. Elis happily smiled and made an offer to Giselle, something he knew would get her riled up. "Then, if you would do anything for me, why not come to a party I was invited to. You know, to make us official, why not go together". Giselle lit up and again clung to him, her eyes welling up with tears. She nodded happily as they walked down the road. He then looked back, thinking, what else he could do to make Valie mad again