October 13, 1999 – Outskirts of Eva – Zone 47
The star-king has just awakened from his habitual sleep and, along with him, the birds reclaim the sky. The clouds, once apathetic, take on golden tones that blend with their usual white. Even the mist, almost imperceptible, begins to withdraw from the stage.
Sarah says goodbye to her mother at the front door of the house. Her long black hair, in contrast with her fair skin, sways gently with the morning breeze.
— Without your uniform again? — Leila, a woman with red hair and greenish eyes, frowns for a moment as she observes her daughter's dark jogger pants and black shirt.
— We have physical education today! I have a reputation to uphold. — Sarah replies with her firm voice, adjusting the dark-green backpack on her shoulders.
— I even ironed it for you. — Leila grumbles while placing a piece of fruit into the backpack.
— Sorry! — Sarah is already mounted on her bicycle.
— Don't talk to strangers! — Leila shouts from behind, her voice heavy with concern.
Sarah waves distractedly and continues on her way.
During the minutes of pedaling, she observes the houses, a few cars, and even a military vehicle, entirely in a light-brown tone, making its morning patrol. She notices a gray gleam emanating from the rear bumper. Shortly after, she sees another one just like it. But her curiosity soon fades when she spots the school gate.
As she passes through it and reaches the bike rack, three girls leaning against a half fence watch her arrival. The whispers begin.
— Hey, girl! Come here! — Grace, with light-brown hair, calls out to her.
Sarah approaches, hesitant.
— What grade are you in? — Grace asks in a tone of superiority.
— Eighth grade. Why? — Sarah answers, lifting her gaze toward her.
The three exchange glances in silence before letting out restrained giggles.
— What are you, thirteen years old? — She questions her again.
— Fourteen…
— What a pretty backpack, little girl. — Rita, with straight dark-brown hair, approaches and touches the fabric with disdain.
Sarah only watches from the corner of her eye.
— Hey, isn't she that businessman's daughter? — Rita comments out loud, casting an accusatory look at Sarah.
— That's right! The one who does business with the nobles of Âmica. — Grace adds, letting resentment spill over. — She must be one of those spoiled little girls. Besides, why aren't you in a private school?
— Now I remember! She's always playing with the boys from the second grade! — Letícia, with chocolate-brown curly hair, throws her words like poison.
— Ew! Gross! Stay away, girl… boy… whatever you are! — Grace steps back in disgust.
Sarah stares fixedly at the girls. Her fists clench.
Before anything else can happen, three boys' approach and wrap the girls in embraces. A few seconds later, Sarah is no longer there. No one seems to care.
Minutes pass and the bell rings. The students head to their classrooms, and soon after, the teachers arrive and get to work.
At a certain moment, when the teacher turns to write on the board, Marcela, a slender girl with blonde hair who sits behind Sarah, pokes her in the back.
— Hey, why didn't you come eat with us today? — Her voice is sweet even in a whisper.
— I wasn't hungry… — With her hoarse and low voice, Sarah lets the words drift away as she loses herself staring at the floor between the rows of desks.
Marcela notices that on her desk there are small marks, as if some liquid had been hastily wiped away. She looks at Sarah's expression but remains silent.
One by one, the classes fade away. Explanations and questions are made, some fooling around emerges, and recess arrives.
Sarah leaves before everyone else and sits on the courtyard floor, leaning against a wall, seeking a bit of sunlight. The children who moments ago were running to form a line to get their lunch are now running and playing tag. The older students are sitting, talking, and eating. Some still dare to embarrass themselves trying to play something.
— Hey, can I sit here? — Marcela approaches from the left with her brow furrowed, while observing Sarah sitting cross-legged, her head resting in the palm of her hand, elbow supported on her thigh.
Without turning around, Sarah responds with a slight nod of her head.
Silence stretches for a few seconds.
— So… tell me what happened? — Marcela asks her. However, the only answer she gets is the silence that takes over that small area for a while longer.
— You're like this because of those stupid girls, right? — A young male voice emerges from the right side. Marcela recognizes him amid the sunlight that illuminates him.
— I saw you at the entrance today. Those stupid girls were picking on you, weren't they?
— So that's why you cried? — Marcela asks without thinking.
Sarah casts a sulky look at her.
Bernardo sits down on Sarah's right side. After a few moments, Sarah takes a deep breath and exhales, eyes closed.
— Do you think I look like a boy? — Sarah asks while looking down.
— No! That's just the way you are. — Bernardo replies. — And to me, you're still a girl. The coolest one in the school. I still haven't forgotten your courage going down that huge street without braking on your bike. — Bernardo lets out a few enthusiastic words while watching the children running in the courtyard ahead of him.
— It's true, I'm afraid even to get on a bicycle, but you always encourage me. — Marcela exclaims kindly as her gaze lifts from the ground toward her friend.
Tears run down Sarah's face.
Marcela moves closer and hugs her. Bernardo does not stay behind and does the same. Smiles bloom amid the rays of sunlight.
— I love you guys! — With her voice slightly hoarse, in a tone that conveys immeasurable peace, she lets herself be carried by the moment.
— I love you too! — Bernardo returns the kindness.
— I loooove yooou toooo guuuyyysss… — Marcela starts to cry.
Bernardo and Sarah begin to laugh at their friend.
Sarah stands up and turns to the two of them with the happiest look in the world. The eyes of someone who already has everything she once wished for. She grabs them by the arms and pulls them along.
— Come on, let's go! I have a reputation to defend. I want to see if anyone will finally be able to… — With a smile spread across her face, Sarah leads them toward the battlefield.