[ past ] unexpected || dongwoo ✖ ellie;
"You think you're so fucking good at everything, don't you?"
"Pathetic midget, you don't deserve all the attention you get."
"You're nothing more than an orphan, you aren't even supposed to be alive. Go back to where you came from."
Ellie continued to take the insults thrown at her, rather well, if anyone were to see the situation she was in. Some of her classmates, mostly boys who were either larger sized than her or older had her surrounded, and continued to spite and mock her. Passers-by walked past and stared, but no one took action, either refusing to get involved or were too scared to. But the girl didn't miss the looks of pity that were thrown at her. They had her closed in one of the cages out in the open, what previously used to kept animals, and were throwing small rocks and broken shards of soju bottles. Some had already scraped her skin, newly formed cuts and wounds evident on her face. And yet, she continued to stay silent, kneeling on the floor as she stared at their feet. She was upset, yes. But emotions weren't something the military was fond of, and she was expected to keep them in check, no matter the situation. And so she didn't cry. As hard as it was, she refused to let the salty tears fall, and balled her hands up into fists, resting them on her knees. Ellie had no reason to be upset. It wasn't the first time it happened, after all.
A 13 year old, who had no right to be better than them. They were jealous of her. Jealous that she was smarter and could score higher in tests, jealous that she was appointed as leader during training, jealous that she had precise aim. Jealous that she was separated from the rest of them. that she was given special attention. But being special wasn't always a good thing. While she received praise from her instructors in front of them, they didn't get to see what happened behind the scenes. The verbal abuse when she screwed something up, the extra hours she had to stay behind to put in more effort, and the occasional beatings if she didn't perform up to standard. She was being stripped of her rights, her rights of actually having a life outside of military training. Ellie didn't get to enjoy herself, or have free time. Even if she did, she would spend it in solitude, reading some sci-fi novels lying around. She didn't even have friends to go out or explore with - Because no one wanted to socialise with her. Everyday she had to live in constant fear, from both her instructors and peers. And today was no exception.
But she kept her mouth shut. She knew that replying to any of their scornful comments, talking back to them, would just bring her down to their level. And Ellie knew she was better than that. She was exhausted enough from training, and she wasn't about to waste any more energy on them. "Are you done yet?" The redhead croaked out, lifting her head up slowly to look at the gang gathered outside of the cage. "I want to head back to the dorm soon."
They laughed some more, and threw their used cartons of food back at her.
