Her friend noticed. With a quick glance at the teacher, she slipped an energy bar into Isabella's hand. Isabella's chest tightened with gratitude. She tore the wrapper open and took a small bite, trying to hide it.

  For a moment, the sweetness filled her mouth, easing the ache in her belly. But just as she finished, the teacher's (Miss Lila) sharp voice cut through the air.

  "Isabella! You're eating that bar in the middle of my lecture?" the teacher (Miss Lila) snapped, her tone cutting like glass.

  Miss Lila's voice split the classroom like a blade.

  "Isabella! Out of my class, now."

  Every head turned. Isabella froze; the half-chewed taste of the bar still heavy on her tongue. Her stomach churned not just with hunger but with humiliation. She stumbled to her feet, clutching her bag to her chest.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "Miss, I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I... I didn't mean-"

  But Miss Lila's glare was unyielding. No amount of pleading softened the steel in her eyes. At last, Isabella lowered her head and walked toward the door, shame burning in her cheeks.

  Behind her, a wave of whispers and muffled laughter broke out. It was salt in the wound. Miss Lila snapped her book shut with a thunderous crack.

  "Silence! This is not a circus. If anyone finds amusement in another's mistake, they may leave as well."

  The class sank into stillness.

  Out in the corridor, Isabella lingered by the doorway, her heart aching for a second chance that never came. Miss Lila carried on with the lecture as though Isabella had been erased. Alone with her thoughts, she replayed the misery of last night, the exhaustion of the morning,the hunger clawing at her insides.

  TO BE CONTINUED...