In tears, Elsie picked up her phone and dialed Leonard's number. As the phone rang, her heart pounded with anxiety and fear. Finally, Leonard answered, and Elsie could barely control her trembling voice as she spoke. "Elsie? Is everything okay?" Leonard asked, concern evident in his voice. "No, Leonard, everything's not okay," Elsie replied, choking back a sob. "I... I've run away. I can't take it anymore, and I don't want anyone to find me." Shock washed over Leonard as he tried to process her words. "What? Elsie, why? Where are you?" "I can't tell you where I am," Elsie whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I just need to be alone, to figure things out on my own. Please don't try to find me; I need to do this." Leonard's mind raced, searching for the right words to say. He cared deeply for Elsie and was worried about her well-being, but he also understood the importance of giving her space. "Elsie, I can't pretend to understand what you're going through, but I want you to

Leonard couldn't believe his eyes as he rounded the corner and saw Madame Diane standing right in front of her large house. Leonard knew that she was well-known in the neighborhood for her stern attitude and, in the past, she had been rather mean to Leonard and his mother and he knew that that was something he might never forgive. He never expected her to take an interest in his life, especially not his school because prior to all of this, she had never shown interest in his affairs. As he approached her, a mix of surprise and apprehension washed over Leonard's face. He tried to maintain a composed behavior as he greeted her, "Good afternoon, Madame Diane." To his amazement, Madame Diane returned the greeting with a faint smile and said, "Hello, Leonard. How is school going for you?" Leonard hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. He remembered the times when Madame Diane had belittled him and his mother, making them feel unworthy and small but he didn't want to stoop to

The next day at school, Leonard found himself paired with Susan in one of their classes. As fate would have it, due to their disagreement just a few days ago, he hadn't forgiven her and he knew that she was still not in a talking stage with him and deep down in his heart, he even loved it that way. Leonard was determined not to let the tension from their previous fight affect their current assignment. As the teacher announced the pairings, Leonard's heart skipped a beat, but he took a deep breath to compose himself. He knew he had to address the situation head-on. As the teacher walked by, Leonard raised his hand politely, hoping that she answered him favorably. "Yes, Leonard?" the teacher said, noticing his raised hand. "I... I can't be paired with Susan, ma'am," Leonard stated firmly but respectfully. The teacher furrowed her brows, sensing there might be more to the story. "Is there a specific reason, Leonard?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral. "We had a disagreement a few

The following day, the sun rose high in the sky, casting its warm rays over the school campus making it look all the more beautiful. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and a sense of urgency as the final-year students gathered on the assembly ground. The end of their academic journey was approaching rapidly, and the principal wanted to make sure they were well-prepared.Standing tall on the stage, Principal Johnson addressed the sea of eager faces before him. "Dear final-year students," he began with a tone of authority, "your final exams are just around the corner. This is a critical moment in your lives, where hard work and dedication will pave the way for your future success. I urge each and every one of you to be diligent and put in your best effort during this crucial time. Remember, your achievements here will shape the paths you take in the years to come."The principal's words echoed in the minds of the students, resonating with the weight of truth and the significance

Leonard's heart pounded in his chest as he glanced nervously around the deserted school hallway. By now, the students were all in class after their lunch break and he was the only one loitering and he knew if he got caught, he would be in serious problem. It was well past the last bell, signaling the end of the lunch break and the school was quiet, the only sounds being the faint echoes of his footsteps. He knew he had to act quickly; Elsie's life might be hanging in the balance. "Please, to whoever is listening above, keep her safe for me until I get there." Leonard sighed. With his heart racing, Leonard slipped through the side exit of the school, his backpack bouncing against his back as he ran toward the park. He tried to stay hidden in the shadows, not wanting to attract attention from anyone who might be lingering nearby. The darkness of the evening provided some cover, but he knew he couldn't waste any time. The main path to Central Park was well-lit, but Leonard opted to ta