A Month Later
Miri was quite sure that dying and going to hell would be a relief.
Sarashe, Kelna, Legolas, Silver and Akiniel were the only ones who didn't hate her. The other hundred or so students had latched completely on the rumors that had come and gone like a flash fire, burning Miri to ash and scorching the few who stood beside her. But she was too stubborn to give in, not now, when she'd come so far already.
Miri had lost count of the times she had "accidentally" tripped onstage during practice. She couldn't focus on the tests and was doing so poorly that the head of school had called her to his office twice to discuss why someone who had come on merit of intelligence was suddenly failing every class. She lived in fear of each new rumor.
The rumors had become progressively worse: At the start, they played on her status, (whoever they were,) convincing many that her commoner status made her unworthy of attending the Academy. Little hateful things, such as the fact that she didn't have a hairdresser and sometimes came to class with hair that looked like hornets had slept in it, were blown out of proportion.
Her friends were wonderful, though. Legolas had taken her riding for the first time in her life – he wouldn't let her canter, for fear she would fall off, but she enjoyed the lesson and he promised that he would continue to teach her. Sarashe would sometimes come to her room and brush her hair until it flowed like flaming water. Kelna, who had befriended several of the cooks, would sometimes bring the herb-and-nut rolls that Miri had fallen in love with at first taste.
Silver and Akiniel just wouldn't let her mope, either making her laugh so hard she could barely breathe, or giving her outrageous dares that distracted her for hours. They were so different. Silver was flamboyant and hapless, a ridiculous combination that kept everyone on their toes. Akiniel's brand of humor was subtle and wickedly sarcastic; he was also the one who came up with most of the dares.
Miri tried very hard to keep her mind of Legolas when she was with him. She understood now why all of the girls chattered about him in the bathrooms. He was unbearably perfect, unbearably handsome, and unbearably unaware of it. She scolded herself often and harshly when she dwelt on him.
But she knew it was useless trying. In play practice, they were nearly finished with the first act. In the second act, Meaghan and Brett became involved. She would kiss him onstage. Often. Her self control was already wearing thin; she was fairly sure she wouldn't be able to hold it in long with him holding her. She dreaded and hoped for that day.
But it was mostly dread.