Bound by Blood and Rite
Friends
The table was loud.
Voices overlapping, words slipping into laughter, stories being told without waiting to be finished.
Grace
And then he literally said that...
Eilene
No, shut up, you're lying...
Grace
I swear, I have screenshots.
Camille
Oh my god! This is teaaa.
Daria
I told you. He totally has a crush on you.
Elara was sitting at the edge of the table. Not outside the group, not inside it either.
Elara Voss
(smiling through the talks)
She knew when to nod.
When to smile.
When to let out a small laugh.
It had taken time to learn that.
At first, she used to try.
Used to speak between pauses.
Used to think someone would turn and say, “Wait, what were you saying?”
No one ever did.
Now, she didn’t try.
It was easier this way.
Camille
Hey, did you finish the assignment ?
Eilene
Oh noo, I completely forgot.
Elara Voss
*The question wasn't for me.*
Grace
Let's just ask Jace. We'll copy hers.
Elara Voss
*Yeah, Jace has the most beautiful handwriting. *
The bell rings and lunch break ends.
The girls walk back to their class, gossiping and chatting.
Elara walks behind them, close enough to be seen as a part of that group.
Camille
Anyway, we're going out this weekend, right?
Daria
I'll share it on our group.
Elara Voss
*Of course they have a group.*
Grace
But nobody brings their boyfriend.
Eilene
Orrr boyfriendsss.
(giggling)
Camille
Stop it, guys.
(faint giggles)
Elara Voss
*It's fine. I have unit tests next week. I should just study. *
Elara's house
The bell rang and the last lecture was dismissed.
Daria
Guys let's go get coffee.
Grace
No I don't want to miss the bus.
Eilene
Yeah man, let's have it tomorrow.
Students started leaving the college premises with their friends.
Elara Voss
(walking alone on the sidewalk)
Elara Voss
(noticing people busy with their friends)
Elara Voss
*All of them are so noisy.*
The sun had set and Elara soon reached her house.
Her house was located in the outskirts of the city. A few kilometers from her college.
It was always surrounded by an unnatural silence. The sounds felt absorbed and the air always cold around it.
The house didn't greet her, and this wasn't new. It never did. It just acknowledged her presence. Let her exist.
Elara entered and saw her papa working in the living room.
Elara Voss
Good evening, papa.
Elara knew the conversation has ended. She walks into her room, locks the door and puts her bag beside her table.
Elara Voss
(let out a tired long sigh)
The air is colder today.
Elara Voss
I should close the window.
Elara Voss
(gets up to close the window)
Elara Voss
*Why is the window open in the first place? I remember closing it in the morning.*
Elara Voss
Maybe the maid opened it for some fresh air.
Elara Voss
The air never feels fresh though.
(chuckles lightly at her own talks)
A voice calls her from the door. Staring at the window she closed.
Marcus Voss
Elara, dinner.
Elara Voss
Yes.
(walks out of the room)
Elara Voss
*Was the door open?*
Elara Voss
*Maybe I forgot to lock it.*
Drawings on the wall
Marcus Voss
(reading files while having dinner)
Linn (maid)
(serving dinner)
Marcus Voss
Hmm?
(focused on his files)
Elara Voss
Did we get any customers today?
Marcus Voss
No. The business is going down and debt collectors are asking for money.
Elara Voss
What about my next year's college fees?
(low voice)
Marcus Voss
(pauses for a moment)
I will plan something for that.
Elara Voss
I can pay the loans after I get a job next year.
Marcus Voss
(smiles at her)
I can always depend on my daughter.
Marcus Voss
(looks at the phone screen with a stressful expression)
Marcus Voss
No nothing.
(picks up the call and leaves)
Elara Voss
*He looks so stressed. If the college allowed internships for 3rd year then...*
Elara Voss
*I'll study harder. Maybe the college management will make an exception for me. *
Elara finishes her dinner and heads back to her room.
Elara Voss
(scrolling funny reels on her phone and laughing)
The only time she laughed was when she watched some funny videos or did something funny herself.
Elara Voss
Oh god! This reel is too much.
(holding her stomach while laughing)
Elara Voss
I should send this to Daria.
Elara Voss
📲 shared a reel with Daria
Elara Voss
She saw the reel I sent.
Elara Voss
Oh! What a nice day.
The clock struck 10 and Elara kept her phone down, knowing that Daria wouldn't text her back. Her message getting seen was more than enough for her.
Elara Voss
(opens her laptop and starts studying)
Elara Voss
(starting to doze off while reading)
Elara Voss
(feels a chilly breath on her neck)
Elara Voss
(comes back to her senses instantly)
Elara Voss
I should drink some water. I start to imagine stupid shit in my sleep.
(walks towards the kitchen)
Elara Voss
(notices a door slightly open)
*Why is this door open? Papa always keeps his room locked.*
Elara Voss
Maybe he is working.
(goes to the kitchen and drinks water)
Elara Voss
(washes her glass and puts it back on the rack)
(notices the paint peeling off the wall)
Elara Voss
*This house is old now. Even the paint has started to peel.*
(pulls out the peeling piece)
Elara Voss
What a weird drawing.
Maybe the previous owners had children that drew on the walls.
She ignores the drawing and goes back to her room to lie down on her bed.
Elara Voss
(turns off the bedside lamp and pulls the blanket over her head)
Elara Voss
*I have college again tomorrow. I just want a job asap. I will paint the whole house.*
Elara Voss
*Wasn't the drawing too high for a child's height?*
Elara Voss
*The child must have sat on a table or something. What am I even thinking?*
Elara Voss
(drifts off to sleep in a few minutes)
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