Episode 2 - The Smile of a Snake

The morning sun spilled through the curtains, painting her room in soft gold, but to Elara, the light felt unfamiliar, too warm for a world she once escaped

She sat on her bed, gripping the bedsheet as the memories clashed with reality. Everything looked exactly as it was, her uniform neatly folded, her old phone model lying beside her bag, even the small bracelet that Mira once gave her before stabbing her in the back

Her chest tightened. “So it’s true… I’m really back”

The faint sound of her mother’s voice calling from downstairs jolted her from her thoughts. She hadn’t heard that voice in years, kind, gentle, still alive. The memory of her mother’s funeral flashed in her mind, the tears, the loneliness that followed

This time, she wouldn’t let that happen

“Elara! You’ll be late for school again!”

“I’m coming, Mom,” she called out, her voice shaky but alive with determination

She took one last look at the mirror, at the face of a girl who once suffered, who was now reborn with vengeance in her veins. Then she smiled. Cold,and ontrolled

---

The streets leading to the academy felt painfully nostalgic, the scent of morning dew, the chatter of students, the laughter she once found comforting. She had walked this path every day, unaware that those same voices would soon tear her life apart

When she reached the school gates, the memories flooded back, the stares, the whispers, the fake smiles

“Elara!”

That voice, sweet, cheerful, dripping with poison.

'Mira'

Her best friend. Her betrayer

Elara turned slowly, schooling her expression into a warm smile. Mira ran toward her, her chestnut curls bouncing, her smile wide and familiar

“There you are! I’ve been texting you all morning!” Mira said, linking her arm with Elara’s. “You’re spacing out again — seriously, you’re too dreamy sometimes!”

Elara wanted to laugh. Too dreamy. That’s what Mira used to call her when she wanted to distract her from seeing the lies behind her eyes

“Sorry,” Elara replied sweetly, “I guess I didn’t sleep much last night”

Mira giggled, unbothered. “You’re hopeless. Anyway, Axel’s waiting at the courtyard. He said he wants to walk with us to class!”

Her heart twitched at the name. Axel Thorn, the charming, silver-tongued boy who used her affection only to humiliate her in front of everyone later

She inhaled deeply. This time, I won’t fall for you

When they reached the courtyard, Axel stood leaning against a tree, his tie slightly loosened, his usual smirk in place. His amber eyes found hers, and that familiar playfulness glimmered

“Elara,” he greeted, voice smooth as ever. “You look different today. Did you change your shampoo or something?”

Mira laughed, playfully shoving him. “You’re so obvious, Axel”

Elara tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze without the shy, flustered reaction he expected. “Maybe,” she replied coolly. “Or maybe you just finally decided to notice me properly”

His smirk faltered, just for a second, something she didn’t miss

Inside, she smiled. Good. You’re not used to this version of me yet

---

Classes went by in a blur. She remembered everything that was about to happen, the quiz, the group project, the stolen notebook that would spark rumors about her “cheating.”

Not this time.

She made sure to guard her things carefully, watching Mira and her circle through the reflection of the classroom window. Their laughter, their glances, the whispers, she could almost predict every movement

At lunch, Mira invited her to sit with the group, the same one that would eventually exile her

“Elara, sit here!” Clara, the manipulative leader, waved her over. Her perfect nails and angelic smile hid the darkness beneath, the one who started every rumor but never got caught

Elara smiled politely and took a seat. “Thanks, Clara”

Mira leaned closer, whispering, “You’re so quiet today. Everything okay?”

“I’m just… thinking,” Elara replied. “About how lucky I am”

“Lucky?” Mira blinked

“Yes.” Elara’s tone was gentle, but her eyes gleamed. “To have friends I can trust”

The table fell silent for a split second before Clara laughed, pretending not to notice the weight of her words. “Of course, you can trust us! Who else would put up with you, right?”

Everyone laughed, except Elara, who only smiled faintly

Inside, her fury burned quietly. Enjoy your jokes while you can

---

When classes ended, she stayed behind, sitting by the window as the sunset painted the sky in crimson. The same color as revenge

Her reflection in the glass stared back, the face of the victim who had died once before

She whispered to herself, “You wanted me broken, Mira. You wanted me humiliated, Axel. You wanted me erased, Clara. But guess what…”

Her lips curled into a smile, cold and sharp

> “This time, I’ll play your game, and win”

The door creaked open. A boy with dark hair stepped in, someone she hadn’t seen yet today. Rowen, the quiet classmate who once tried to defend her before being silenced by the group’s bullying

He looked startled. “Oh, I didn’t realize someone was still here”

Elara looked at him, her expression softening slightly. “It’s fine. I was just leaving”

As she passed him, their eyes met. For a brief second, she saw kindness, something she hadn’t felt in a long time

Maybe, in this new timeline, not everything had to be darkness. But she would decide that later

For now, vengeance came first

As she stepped out of the classroom, her voice whispered like a vow carried by the evening wind:

> “They’ll regret the day they hurt me”

\>To be continued to the next episode ඩ

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