Ilithyia looked down at her plate of garmon nibbles, long brownish hair veiling her face. She could smell the decadently rich Chocolate Sludgecake, it’s tempting glory seemingly calling her name, however she ignored it for the time being. Carefully stabbing a small piece of meat, she brought it to her lips, deciding if she really wanted to eat today at all. She placed the fork down, too excited to even try it.

The cafeteria was a noisy, busy mess, with people jamming onto tables and yelling and laughing. Everywhere, there was chaos… except for one table at the back, where Ilithyia was ensconced. It wasn’t overly large, but it could easily seat four or five of the teeming students. Yet she was alone; her books were neatly stacked right in front of her, however, just in case.

Plump, long fingers beat time to a tune no one else could hear, and Ilyia tried not to smile though her hair. Next week was her birthday. She was turning fourteen, and it was going to be amazing. Aniketos swore that he was sailing up from Shotha to see her. He rarely, if ever, came home, and it usually was for something related to her. He was the nicest brother a girl could have, even if he was almost nine years her senior. He had promised to take her to Vienda and show her the sights, like the Seventen Headquarters and the Palace. Sighing happily, she pushed the garmon away and pulled up the cake, her senses searing with it’s deliciousness. She could afford a little luxury, in commemoration of this stupendous event…

"Lardgardis is at it again, hm?" The voice appeared out of nowhere for the distracted Ilithyia. Wincing to herself, she turned meekly to her tormentor, hiding behind her hair, attempting to guard herself for the other barbs that were sure to come. Laurana grinned maliciously, bright red-gold curls bouncing as she cocked a hip. Beside her, her minion Isolde tittered, her bright yellow eyes squinted and cruel.

Ilithyia’s shoulders hunched, and she stared at her dessert, totally unable to form words. Of course… she shouldn’t have wanted food at all today. Most lunch periods she just read, but she hadn’t had time for breakfast. She should have been smart enough to wait til dinner, where she could just walk off with something. I was stupid, I should have known better.

"Aw, is it sad?" Laurana giggled, looming above the seated Ilyia. She suddenly dropped the act and sneered, narrow little face twisted into a vile mask. "You should be sad. You should be ashamed of yourself. You’re a disgrace!" Ilithyia just sat stilly, hands white. Laurana leaned in, cruel words now sounding loudly in Ilyia’s ear.

"Everyone thinks so. You’re so disgusting… they all hate you." Isolde cawed, and grabbed the other girl’s arm.

"Come on, you'll not get anything from her. And they’re waiting for us! Did you see Heathrei’s new…" they stalked off, head’s high and proud, strides matched step for step. In their wake there were happy calls and laughs.

Ilithyia’s hands shook as she stared past her tray, past the table, eyes unfocused and inward. Slowly, her grip on the chair released, and she took a few shallow breaths, their shuddery thickness almost leading to tears.

Standing slowly, she walked to the trash, dumping her entire meal in, untouched. She placed the tray down carefully. Her hands and arms felt heavy and cold. Walking out, staring at her shoes, she tried to form words in the void that was now coiling her in mind.

It’s ok… I hate me too.