October 13, 1999 – Outskirts of Eva – Zone 47
The sun has just awakened from its usual slumber, and with it, the birds take to the sky. The clouds, once dull and lifeless, seem to come alive again, painted in golden hues that blend with their usual white. Even the fog, unnoticed until now, begins to retreat from the stage.
A young girl named Sarah is saying goodbye to her mother at the front door of their home. Her long black hair, which contrasts with her fair skin, sways gently in the soft breeze that fills the air.
"Again without your uniform?" Leila, a woman with fiery red hair and green eyes, furrows her brow for a moment.
"Today's physical education class…" Sarah responds firmly as she finishes adjusting a dark green backpack on her shoulders.
"I even ironed it for you," Leila mutters, placing a piece of fruit into the backpack.
"Sorry!" Sarah is already seated on her bicycle.
"Don't talk to straaangers!!!" Leila calls out from behind, her voice heavy with concern, but Sarah pays little attention, waving distractedly before riding off.
During her ride, she glances around, observing the houses, a few cars, and even an armed forces vehicle, light brown in color, making its morning rounds. She admires the gray light emanating from its rear bumper. Not long after, she spots another identical vehicle, sparking her curiosity—but her focus shifts as she approaches the school gate.
Upon entering the gate and reaching the bike rack tucked in a corner, three girls leaning against a half-fence watch her arrival with sly expressions. The whispers begin.
"Hey, girl! Come here!" Grace, one of the girls with light brown hair, calls out.
Sarah approaches, her expression tinged with doubt.
"What grade are you in?" Grace asks, her tone laced with superiority.
"Eighth grade… Why?" Sarah replies, still puzzled, looking up directly at the girl's face.
The three girls exchange silent glances for a moment before breaking into faint laughter, their eyes returning to her.
"How old are you? Thirteen?" Grace questions again.
"Fourteen…"
"What a pretty bag, little girl," Rita, one of the girls with straight, dark brown hair, says sarcastically as she steps closer to admire Sarah's backpack. She even touches it to feel the fabric.
Sarah watches her out of the corner of her eye.
"Wait, isn't she the daughter of that businessman?" Rita muses aloud, casting an accusing glance at Sarah.
"That's right! The one who does business with the nobles of Âmica…" Grace adds, fueling the accusation. At this point, the girls' gazes radiate resentment. "She must be one of those spoiled brats. By the way, why aren't you in a private school?" she continues, her words sharp and intimidating.
"Now that I remember! She hangs out with the boys from the second year!" Leticia, the third girl with chocolate-brown curly hair, chimes in, her words dripping with venom.
"Ew, gross! Stay away, girl… boy… I don't even know what you are!" Grace sneers, stepping back with a look of disdain.
Sarah stares at the girls with a fixed gaze as her fists clench tightly.
Before anything else can happen, a group of three boys approaches, wrapping the girls in cheerful hugs. After a few seconds, one of the girls notices that Sarah has disappeared—but it no longer matters.
Minutes pass, and soon the bell rings. Students head to their classrooms, followed shortly by the teachers, who arrive slightly late and begin their lessons.
As the teacher turns to write something on the board, Marcela, a slender girl with blonde hair sitting behind Sarah, taps her on the back to get her attention.
"Why didn't you eat with us today? We were worried," Marcela asks softly, her expression tinged with concern.
"I wasn't hungry…" Sarah responds in a raspy, low voice, her distant gaze fixed on the floor between the rows of desks.
At that moment, Marcela notices small marks on Sarah's desk, as if some liquid had been hastily wiped away. With a sad look on her face, she imagines what might have happened, questioning the reason in her thoughts.
Classes pass one after another—explanations, questions, and some playful antics ensue—and soon it's time for recess.
Sarah leaves before everyone else and sits on the ground, leaning against a wall next to the courtyard in search of a bit of sunlight. The younger children, who had been running to form a line for snacks, are now chasing each other around the yard, laughing and playing tag.
The older students, meanwhile, sit together chatting and eating. Some still dare to embarrass themselves by playing games.
"Hey, can I sit here?" Marcela approaches from the left, her brow furrowed as she observes Sarah sitting cross-legged, her head resting on the palm of her left hand, elbow propped on her thigh.
Without turning her head, Sarah nods affirmatively, her gaze still distant.
After a few moments of silence: "So… tell me what happened?" Marcela asks again, her eyes fixed on the ground. Silence envelops the small area where the two are seated for a few minutes.
"You're like this because of those stupid girls, right?" A young, deep male voice emerges from the right.
"Bernardo!" Marcela recognizes him amidst the sunlight illuminating his figure.
"Hi, Marcela!" He greets her before turning his gaze back to Sarah. "I saw you at the entrance today. Those stupid girls were picking on you, weren't they?"
"So that's why you cried?" Marcela blurts out without thinking.
Sarah looks at her with an annoyed expression.
Bernardo sits to Sarah's right, and after a few more moments of silence, Sarah takes a deep breath and slowly exhales, closing her eyes.
"Do you think I look like a boy?" Sarah asks quietly, her gaze lowered.
"No! That's just who you are… and to me, you're still a girl. You're the coolest girl in this school. I'll never forget how brave you were riding down that huge hill without braking," Bernardo says enthusiastically, his distant gaze lost on the children running around the yard. "You're way cooler like this than if you were some spoiled princess."
"It's true—I'm even scared to get on a bike, but you always encourage me," Marcela adds kindly, her gaze shifting from the ground to Sarah.
Tears stream down Sarah's face. Marcela moves closer and hugs her; Bernardo follows suit. Smiles bloom amidst the rays of sunlight.
"I love you guys!" Sarah says, her voice slightly hoarse but filled with an immeasurable sense of peace, letting herself be carried away by the moment.
"I love you too!" Bernardo replies warmly.
"I looove yooou guuys…" Marcela starts to cry.
Bernardo and Sarah burst into laughter at their friend's reaction.
Sarah stands up and turns to them with the happiest look in the world—the eyes of someone who already has everything they ever wished for. She grabs their arms and pulls them.
"Come on, let's go! Tag must be exciting today—I want to see if anyone will finally manage…" With a wide smile, Sarah leads them toward the other children, eager to enjoy the remaining minutes of recess.