Rejected Luna Queen

The lesson continued, the professor’s voice filled the room, explaining complex concepts that I tried to grasp despite my nerves. My focus was finally starting to settle when, nut of nowhere, a girl near the front of the class stood up.

“Hey, look at the new girl. She’s so skinny, she might blow away if someone opens a window,” the jeered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Laughter rippled through the room, though some students quickly stilled their amusement, casting uncertain glances at the professor

My face flushed with embarrassment, my hands instinctively wrapping around my arms in a futile attempt to make myself smuller. My eyes brimmed with tears already waiting to fall

The professor’s eyes narrowed, and she fixed the girl with a stern glare.

“That is completely inappropriate, and I will not tolerate bullying in my class,” she said sharply. “Apologise immediately”

The girl, undeterred by the reprimand, rolled her eyes. “Sorry” she said, though her tone was anything but sincere,

She glanced back at her friends, who smirked along with her, and it was clear she held some sway over the rest of the students. No one stood up to

My heart sank, and I felt painfully exposed. The initial nervousness I had felt was now replaced with a deep sense of self–consciousness. The girl’s words echoed in my mind, amplifying every insecurity I had about my body.

Despite the professor’s efforts to restore order, the atmosphere remained sense.

I kept my head down, trying to focus on the lesson, but it was difficult to ignore the whispers and occasional snickers that seemed to follow the girl’s comment. I couldn’t hear anything else.

I felt a wave of helplessness wash over me. Here I was, trying to start fresh and leave my past behind, but it seemed like new challenges were eager to meet me at every turn

Still, I reminded myself of Elara’s words and her unwavering belief in me. I had faced far worse and survived. I would not let a mean–spirited girl derail my determination.

As the class continued, I forced myself to concentrate, clinging to the thought of the supportive friends I had in Elara and the kind Alpha Luca

They believed in me, and I owed it to myself and to them to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult the journey might be. I am going to make them and myself proud.

By the time Elara and I met up at the cafeteria for lunch, she had already given me a comprehensive tour of the entire college.

Her enthusiasmin had made the overwhelming new environment seem a little less intimidating, and I was grateful for her constant support.

I decided not to mention the incident from class; I didn’t want to dampen the mood or burden her with my problems.

We found a quiet table near the back and sat down with our trays. The cafeteria was bustling with students, the air filled with chatter and laughter.

Elara was animatedly describing the various clubs and activities available at the college, her excitement palpable as she gestured widely with her hands

“So, what do you think?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Are you excited about joining some clubs

I smiled, trying to match her energy. “Yeah, it all sounds really interesting” I replied, picking at my food.

The encounter from earlier still weighed heavily on my mind, but I pushed it aside, focusing on Elara’s words. I am trying to keep it all in.

Just as I was starting to relax, someone approached our table. A tall, lanky boy with a shock of messy brown hair and a mischievous grin plopped

down next to Elara

“Hry. El Did you hear about the new girl?” he asked, not even noticing me.

Elara shook her head, curiosity piqued. “No, what happened?

The boy leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, though it was still loud enough for me to hear clearly.

“Apparently, she got roasted by Lila in the middle of class. You know how Lila is, She made some nasty comment about the girl’s skinny frame, and even though the professor told her off, she didn’t back down. Everyone’s talking about it now.”

My heart sank, and I could feel the blood drain from my face. Elara’s eyes widened in shock, and the glanced at me, suddenly putting two and two

Chapers 22

‘ she said slowly, turning to look at me. “Nesta wasthat you?”

I nodded, unable to meet her gaze, my cheeks burning with humiliation. The boy’s eyes widened in realisation and embarrassment. “Oh man, sorry I didn’t realise..”

Elara reached across the table and squeezed my hand, her expression filled with concern and anger. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked gently

1 shrugged, my voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. It’s just… it’s hard enough being the new student without adding drama”.

– grip tightened. “Nesia, you don’t have to deal with this alone. If something like this happens, you need to tell me. We’ll figure it out together

The boy, looking remorseful, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I’m really sorry. Lila’s just… Well, she thinks she owns the place. But not everyone’s like

1 forced a small smile, appreciating their support despite the lingering embarrassment. Elara’s determined expression gave me a sense of

trawrance.

Thanks, both of you. I try to remember that

As we continued our lunch, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, but I could still feel Elara’s protective presence beside me. Knowing I had someone like her on my side made facing the challenges ahead seem a little less daunting.

Elara’s expression darkened as we ate remembering what had happened in class. Her eyes, usually so warm and full of life, now burned with a fierce

Intensiv

She pushed her chair back abruptly, the legs scraping loudly against the floor. Her hands were clenched into tight fists, her knuckles white with the force of her anger.

“TI be right back,” she uaid through gritted teeth, her voice a low growl.

Without waiting for a response, she turned and strode purposefully out of the cafeteria, her whole body radiating fury.

I watched her go, a mixture of apprehension and gratitude swirling within me. Part of me wanted to stop her, to tell her it wasn’t worth it, but another part of me was deeply touched by her protective instincts.

Elara was standing up for me in a way I had never experienced before, and it felt both empowering and humbling.

The boy utting across from me shifted uncomfortably, clearly uneasy with the situation. “Elara doesn’t mess around when it comes to her friends” he said, almost to himself. Tila’s not going to know what hit her.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the tension. “Yeah, I can see that,” I replied softly.

Minutes ticked by slowly as I waited for Elara to return my heart pounding with an

a mix of anxiety and anticipation

The cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime activity, but I felt detached from it all, my mind focused on Flara and what she might be saying to

marched back to our table, her

Finally, Elara reappeared at the entrance of the cafeteria, her face flushed and her eyes still blazing with anger, She m movements sharp and determined. As she sat down, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

hat happened?” I asked tentatively, unable to contain my curiosity.

Elara shook her head, her expression softening slightly as she looked at me.

“I had a little chat with Lila. She won’t be bothering you again. Nesta. I made sure she knows that if she tries anything like that again, she’ll have to deal with me”

There was a fierce protectiveness in her voice that warmed my heart. “Thank you, Elara” I said sincerely. “I really appreciate it”

Elara’s anger melted into a reassuring smile. “Anytime, Nesta. You’re part of this pack now, and we take care of our own.

She reached out squeezed my hand again. “Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong. You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else.”

Her words, filled with conviction and warmth, wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of belonging and safery