Victoria leaned against the brick wall of Oakridge High School while sitting in her regular lunch spot. The thin hoodie she wore did not protect her from the biting November air so she chose to stay outside the cafeteria.
From her position she watched students gather at picnic tables while their laughter spread through the yard like an unfamiliar language. The worn pages of "The Bell Jar" rested on her lap but she lost track of the words several minutes back.
Victoria learned through sixteen years of life that people would always let her down. The number of foster homes she experienced kept increasing while case workers and school counselors made promises they failed to fulfill. The experience of being an orphan required her to understand that change was the only thing that remained constant. She wrapped her hoodie around her body when a strong gust of wind created a leaf storm in the courtyard.
Victoria's gaze drifted to a group of sophomore girls huddled near the entrance. Among them was Eliza Parker, with her perfect blonde hair and practiced smile. The sight of her made Victoria's stomach clench.
Two years hadn't dulled the memory.
Freshman year had started with unexpected promise. Eliza had been assigned as Victoria's lab partner in biology, and for reasons Victoria couldn't fathom, the popular girl seemed genuinely interested in friendship. They'd stayed after school to work on projects, shared lunch periods studying together, and exchanged notes about books Eliza claimed to have read.
"You're different," Eliza had told her one afternoon as they walked home. "Everyone else is so fake, you know?"
Victoria had nodded, warmth blooming in her chest at the validation. After years of careful distance, she'd let her walls down inch by inch.
Then came the night they'd stayed up texting until 2 AM. Victoria's fingers had hovered over her phone before she finally typed: Can I tell you something? I think I'm gay.
Eliza's response had been filled with heart emojis and reassurance.
Two days later, Victoria walked into school to find eyes following her everywhere. Whispers trailed behind her like shadows. Someone had written "dyke" on her locker in permanent marker.
Eliza wouldn't meet her eyes in biology class. When Victoria confronted her after school, Eliza's reply cut deeper than any insult scrawled on school property.
"It's not my fault you're a freak. Don't blame me because you told me your gross secret."
The bell jolted Victoria from her memory. She shoved her book into her backpack and joined the stream of students flowing back into the building, careful to keep her gaze fixed on the floor.
Millfield was the kind of town where everyone knew everyone's business, where three churches outnumbered the single grocery store, where tradition wasn't just valued but enforced through subtle social pressure. Victoria's sexuality wasn't discussed openly—that would be too direct for Millfield—but it clung to her reputation like a persistent shadow.
She caught fragments of whispers as she navigated the hallway.
"...always alone..."
"...heard she tried to hit on Sarah last year..."
"...probably watching us in the locker room..."
Victoria kept walking, face impassive. She'd mastered the art of appearing untouchable even as each comment lodged beneath her skin like splinters.
Her steps lightened as she approached room 203. History with Mrs. Peterson was the one bright spot in her day.
"Welcome, everyone," Mrs. Peterson greeted as students filed in. Her warm brown eyes lingered on Victoria with a genuine smile. "We're continuing our discussion on ancient Chinese dynasties today."
Victoria slipped into her seat in the front row. Unlike other teachers who pretended not to notice when students snickered at Victoria's expense, Mrs. Peterson shut down disrespect immediately.
"That's quite enough, Jason," Mrs. Peterson interrupted when a boy in the back row made a crude gesture as Victoria answered a question about the Ming Dynasty. "If you spent half as much energy studying as you do being unkind, you might actually pass this class."
The room fell silent. Victoria ducked her head, but a flutter of gratitude warmed her chest.
After class ended, Victoria took her time gathering her books while other students rushed out.
"No hurry today?" Mrs. Peterson asked, erasing the chalkboard.
"Not really." Victoria shrugged. "Foster mom's working late again."
"No hurry today?" Mrs. Peterson asked, erasing the chalkboard. "Not really." Victoria shrugged. "Foster mom's working late again." Mrs. Peterson acknowledged Victoria's situation through her expression which showed no signs of sympathy.
I need your help to prepare these papers for the upcoming class period because I require additional assistance.
The two had developed a regular pattern of behavior. Victoria stayed behind to assist Mrs. Peterson with minor tasks while the teacher shared stories about her college archaeology studies and suggested books beyond the school curriculum. Mrs. Peterson asked about Victoria's experience with Plath while pointing to "The Bell Jar" peeking from her backpack. The book delivers an overwhelming reading experience yet it remains valuable to me. But good."
Victoria arranged quiz papers according to alphabetical order. The feelings of Esther in "The Bell Jar" match my own experience of feeling cut off from the world. Mrs.
Peterson placed her body against the desk while speaking to Victoria. The most brilliant thinkers throughout history experienced this feeling of detachment from others. Your sense of disconnection will not persist forever.
Mrs. Peterson showed an unexpected level of understanding when she spoke to Victoria. During my teenage years I experienced life through a glass window according to Mrs. Peterson who placed her hand on her swollen belly.
The seven months of pregnancy have not eliminated the feeling of detachment that I experience.
Victoria smiled with genuine eyes that showed her happiness. Your baby will receive the absolute best care from you because you will be an amazing mother. Mrs. Peterson produced a natural and pleasant laugh which filled the room.
God will surely hear your words Victoria. I want to know your interpretation of Sylvia Plath's metaphors in her work. The students of history class received permission slips from Mrs. Peterson on the following Tuesday with great enthusiasm.
The city museum has opened its Ancient China exhibit after a long wait according to Mrs. Peterson. The exhibit features Han Dynasty artifacts including Beijing artifacts which make their first US appearance.
Victoria took the permission slip because she knew her foster mother would sign it right away. Mrs. Leighton treated paperwork as an annoyance to be dispatched as quickly as possible. \
Mrs. Peterson moved between desks with a waddling motion while discussing the exhibit's main attraction which she called the 'Heart of Ice.' The 'Heart of Ice' stands as the exhibit's main attraction because it features a crystal artifact with an intriguing historical background.
Victoria took a seat by herself when she got on the bus for the field trip because it was her natural habit. Mrs. Peterson used her clipboard to check names while her body struggled to maintain balance during the student count. I will assist you with your tote bag containing museum guidebooks.
Mrs. Peterson expressed deep appreciation for my help. The field trip with her eight-month pregnancy proved to be an unwise decision according to Mrs. Peterson.
I will protect you from any situation that comes your way. Victoria expressed her promise with a depth of feeling she could not put into words.
Victoria took on the role of assistant to Mrs. Peterson at the museum by bringing supplies and monitoring students who lagged behind. She felt content with the attention from her classmates because she had a meaningful task to complete.
The Ancient China gallery created a peaceful atmosphere which made all students become quiet. The display cases at the museum showed three types of artifacts including porcelain objects and bronze tools and jade sculptures.
Mrs. Peterson led the students through different dynasties and centuries while showing her passion for the subject matter. She pointed to the center display case which contained the Heart of Ice under velvet protection. The glass case displayed a small blue crystal teardrop that measured like a child's fist.
The object inside the case appeared to absorb light before turning it into a strange inner glow which seemed beyond the realm of natural occurrence.
Mrs. Peterson read from the placard that the Heart of Ice crystal originated from a pure spirit who gave her spirit transformed into the crystal after she gave her life to protect her village from a devastating flood. The crystal contains the ability to transport noble spirits between different realms according to the legend.
Victoria whispered "Sounds like fantasy, not history" while she remained transfixed by the beautiful crystal. Mrs. Peterson explained that the distinction between historical records and myths becomes difficult to determine. The most enduring— The ground started to shake while the display cases began to shake violently.
The building's speakers started playing alarms while the floor continued to shake violently. The security guard yelled "Everyone out!" Earthquake protocol! The emergency exits should be your destination. T
he students ran wildly as ceiling tiles dropped from the ceiling. Victoria took hold of Mrs. Peterson's arm to help her walk toward the door. The pregnant teacher fought to stay upright because the floor kept shaking. A loud breaking sound echoed through the air. Victoria saw the enormous concrete slab detach from the ceiling as it descended toward Mrs. Peterson.
Time slowed. Mrs. Peterson's terrified gaze met Victoria's while she shielded her belly with her hands as the heavy concrete section descended toward her. Victoria pushed Mrs. Peterson with every ounce of power she had.
The teacher received protection from a security guard as the ceiling section fell to the ground. A heavy object hit Victoria's head. and was pressed down on her lower body while she lay trapped. The spreading cold through her body matched the approaching darkness that covered her vision.
Mrs. Peterson's desperate voice echoed through Victoria's fading awareness as she called out her name. Victoria attempted to speak but her voice remained inaudible. At least she and her baby safe. The Heart of Ice display Glowing became the last thing Victoria saw before complete darkness took over as the crystal emitted its final brilliant flash.