Chapter 1 Elara

Elara

The email arrived at 8:30am and with it, the quiet death of the painting club.

Ache burned in my chest.

The art building is my home, my heart. The only place I am truly myself.

School did not understand that.

Due to upcoming athletic expansion and budget reallocation, the Fine Arts Studio will be permanently closed at the end of the term.

The room felt chilled, the paintings  stared at me and I could swear I heard them beg me to save them.

I looked away from the email, anger boiled through my skin as an icy voice floated through the room.

“Elara.”

I am in no mood for conversation.

Clara walked into the room, her smile vibrated, almost making me forget the pain that filled my heart.

One glance at me was enough for her to ask the question.

“What’s wrong?.”

I paused for a second.

“The school wants to replace the art studio with athletic expansion space, the hockey program secured a state development grant and the school board approved it last night, can you fucking imagine?.” I whispered yelled.

I hated to curse, this time I didn’t have much of a choice.

Principal Heather can’t do this.

She knows how much the art studio means to a lot of student.

I started this club a year ago, I have funded it through times and I am not about to give up on it.

“She what?.” Clara asked.

“You heard me, those hockey players get everything they want, they already have their rink, they got new uniforms .” I stated. “They have fundraisers, they have everything and now they just want to take this one thing.”

Clara turned to look at me, her smile was long gone.

As an active member of the club, she understands how much this means for all of us. I can’t even bring myself to tell the others.

“We have to talk to her.”

“I need to, this means too much, we worked so hard for all of this Clara.” I stated.

Clara looked away. I could tell she had a thought on her mind.

“Spill.”

“Do you  think he has something to do with it?.” She asked. “He did say he will do anything to make you pay and he plays for the hockey team, his father donates a lot, one word from him and principal Heather would be on her feet.”

Him?

My ex boyfriend Dylan.

Our sweet relationship turned sour six months ago.

For something he did and blamed me for it.

“He won’t.” I whispered.

My heart thundered with questions.

I had hoped I was right about this.

“Are you sure? This is someone that cheated on you, lied to you and manipulated you into thinking it’s your fault then went behind your back- not another word.” I uttered cutting her off.

“Dylan was at the meeting last night, I had imagined it was one of their random meetings, don’t you think it’s a bit of a coincidence.”

“How- I saw a picture on his story, he never did take me off.” Clara confirmed.

He did hate me for everything.

I hated the reminder of my past.

I let myself fall in love just to be betrayed by Dylan.

He could barely even say sorry after what he had done.

I know him and it sickens me that he may be responsible for this.

“If he did this, then we are going to have a long talk, I am not about to let him ruin all of my handwork, all because he can’t handle what he started first and I am done with this, I have to take care of it.”

“Elara you have to be careful, you know how he gets.”

He knows how I get too.

He messed with the wrong girl.

I let him ruin me once but not anymore.

If he did this, he has another thing coming

I won’t let him win by getting upset.

I turned to look at Clara, the moment our eyes met, she realized that there is no going back on this.

“Don’t tell the others, I will be right back and if they know about it her, assure them I will take care of it.” I stated and she nodded.

—-

Every step I took reminded me of how much I hate Dylan. It reminded me of what he has done to me, the tears that left my eyes because of him.

How much I cursed him that night, only for him to come back, and try to ruin it.

“Principal Heather.” I called.

Her smile dropped when she saw me.

I was filled with anger yet I knew not to let it get the best of me.

I had to be calm.

Respectful if I wanted things to change.

I rushed toward her.

“Come on in Elara.” She invited and I complied. 

“I assume you are here to talk about the email you received, you need to understand Miss Quinn, the hockey team needs all the space they can get and we are about to get into the season, we have new players, we have to accommodate for all of them and you understand the art club has no funding.”

“I made a promise to my team, to my club, I can’t let them down, I want to negotiate.” I begged, my voice softened. “The management can’t make a decision without consulting us..”

I had hoped she won’t involve my parents.

I would hate for them to be any part of this.

It’s bad enough they think art is a waste of my time, and it could never take me any here.

It was worse, it’s a forgotten club in the school and no one cared for it.

“If we ask the school to vote, you and I both know how it’s going to end.”

Everyone loved hockey, not many understood Art.

“They will need all they can get, and congratulations on your competition, I am not going to stop you from doing that, the school will support you at all times. Elara you are a good kid and I admire what you are doing?.”

“Thank you.” I whispered

She has nothing left to say to me. .

There is no convincing her

I didn’t realize how fast I had walked until I heard cheers, my eyes snapped to the sound.

The hockey arena.

Anger radiated through my body, a wave of goosebumps found its place settled on my skin as I stared at their coach celebrating.

I am not going down without a fight.