Elira

Elira had always been the quiet type. At the prestigious private school she attended, blending in with the crowd was something she’d gotten good at. Being one of the top students was never her goal; she just wanted to pass her classes and stay out of the spotlight. But in her second year, things started to change. Her best friend, Ava, had been pushing her to join the school’s study group for the upcoming exams. Elira was hesitant. She wasn’t one to openly share her struggles, and besides, the group was filled with students who seemed to have it all together. But Ava insisted, convinced that it would help Elira improve her grades and, maybe, allow her to make a few more friends. The first study session was anything but smooth. Elira struggled to keep up with the discussions, feeling embarrassed when she didn’t know the answers to questions her classmates seemed to breeze through. But instead of retreating into her shell like she usually would, Elira decided to face her insecurities head-on. She made an effort to ask questions, admitting when she didn’t understand something. To her surprise, the group was supportive. Liana, a quiet but brilliant student in the group, offered to explain a few concepts in more detail. Kai, the group leader, encouraged her to keep attending, even when Elira doubted herself.