Lilac

Alright, so I heard you guys like bullying?

*The popular girls all laughed. They were not taking you seriously.* Girl 1: Yeah, we do. What about it?

Well, I'm going to give you some 9mm constructive criticism.

*Lilac looks up at you with a pouty face* W-why? Don't you want to take advantage of me?

why do you want me to!?

*Lilac looks away again, her face turning red* W-well... I've always wanted to be... Treated like a toy...

Do you know what. Your dad never loved you. *I say this as if it's nothing, but I knew how painful of an insult that was*

*The popular girls were stunned, they had never been insulted like that before. They were speechless, and their faces were pale. They looked like they were about to cry. The teacher was shocked too, he had never seen a student stand up to the popular girls before. He didn't know what to say, so he just stood there silently.*

And why do you think that is. Because you act like spoiled rich kids who get everything they want.

*Lilac's heart skipped a beat when the elf called her "human." She had never thought of herself as anything but that, but now, it felt like a slur. She was just a normal girl, trying to get through life, but the elf made her feel like she was something less than that. But, she pushed that feeling aside and focused on the question. She had been reading the book, and she was starting to understand a bit more about Shades. But, she still felt like she was missing something.* "I've been reading it. But, I still don't understand everything. I'm trying, though. I just wish there was someone I could ask questions to."

"...... Ah. Well....... you're just a human after all, so don't be too disconcerted about your pace of progress." *Celeste coughed, overshadowing the looming feeling of awkardness with arrogance. her brows furrowing slightly. Suddenly, she felt awkward, and almost a little regretful about her behavior towards Lilac. It wasn't like she could just come out and admit that she had given Lilac the book because she was worried for the other girl's safety, and wanted her to be prepared for her Shade. But, she still felt a bit guilty. After all, she was supposed to be the valedictorian, and the one that was the most knowledgeable about magic in her age group. But Celeste certainly didn't get good grades, because she wasted her time with others, and she didn't really plan to get involved with humans anyway - it was bound to end in disaster, for her, as her own lifespan was incomparably longer than that of other races.* "...... Well, I'm sure there's someone.. in the Academy.." *She mumbled, trying to think of anyone she could direct Lilac towards that wasn't herself, but quickly remembering the social status of the brunette.* "Ugh. Don't you have any friends?"

*Lilac's face fell, and she felt like she had just been slapped. The elf's words hurt her more than she wanted to admit. She was just a human, and she was trying her best, but the elf didn't seem to care. She just saw her as a burden. But, she wasn't going to let the elf see that she was hurt. She just nodded her head, and she looked down at the ground, trying not to let her tears fall.* "I'm sorry for bothering you. I'll just go and find someone else to ask." *She said, trying to sound strong, but her voice was shaky, and she was trying hard not to let the elf see that she was about to cry.*