The irritating shrill of the alarm yanked me from the restless abyss of sleep. I wouldn't even call it sleep, not really—my eyes had been wide open all night, dreading the moment morning would come. And now, it was here.
I reluctantly swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet dragging against the cold floor as I stumbled toward the bathroom.
The mirror greeted me with the same reflection I'd been avoiding for days: messy blonde hair, pale skin, eyes too tired to pretend. I turned on the tap, splashing water on my face, trying to wash away the dread that settled deep in my stomach. It didn't work. The day was still waiting for me.
"Amelia!! You're running late for school!" my mom's voice echoed from somewhere in the house, sharp and insistent.
"Coming, ma!" I shouted back, the words leaving my mouth automatically.
My name is Amelia Lewis, and I'm the only daughter of a wealthy tycoon. But today, none of that mattered. Today was my first day at a new school. Not just any school—a school where I wasn't just another spoiled rich kid. I was an outsider. And no matter how much I tried to tell myself it would be fine, the truth kept clawing at the back of my mind.
I headed towards the dining room reluctantly, my mom approached me with the biggest smile in the world.
"Good morning mom" I forced out a smile.
"Good morning sunshine, come sit and have breakfast" my mom said with a smile. I sat down and grabbed my toast, lost in thoughts.
"Eat your breakfast Amelia" my mom called out softly.
I forced out a smile and started eating my toast pretending I had an appetite.
Sound of footsteps echoed and my heart began racing, my dad walked in without a smile on his face. I haven't seen him smile since that day. I could see my mom shifting in her seat, drumming her finger around the rim of her coffee cup, clearly just as nervous as I am.
"Good morning dad" I said without expecting a response, he stopped responding since the incident. Yet I kept hoping-maybe, just maybe, today will be different.
As expected, he sat down and started eating, I glanced at my mom nervously and she gave me a small smile.
My dad, after finishing his toast grabbed the cup of coffee. He held onto the handle tightly that I thought it might break, it didn't. He took a sip and left without saying anything to either of us.
"M...mom I.. I didn't do it, I promise" I said whilst stuttering with tears forming in my eyes.
"I know baby" my mom whispered while reaching her hand across the table to grab mine. She squeezed my palm softly as if to take my pains away, but we both know she can't.
" I know you didn't. Just give him some time, he'll come around...eventually " my mom said trying to convince herself too.
I slid into the car beside my mom, the silence between us stretching as we drove toward school.
The closer we got, the more my nerves set in, my hands were shaking just enough for my mom to notice and my heart racing so loudly that I thought she could hear it.
My mom placed her hand on mine and gave me a small smile.
"Baby, this is a fresh start, you don't need to worry about what went wrong then, just focus on what you came here for and have fun, okay" my mom said, trying to cheer me up.
"Yes mom" I said with a smile, this one wasn't forced this time.
"I love you sunshine" she said
"I love you too mom" I said and I alighted.
I watched as her car disappeared into the distance, then slowly turned around to face the towering school ahead of me.
Fountain Falls High. Here I am, time for a fresh start, I told myself, though my heart wasn't quite sure.
I took a deep breath and stepped through the gates.
SMACK.
A shoulder slammed into mine, nearly knocking me off balance.
"Watch where you're going," a sweet but firm voice cooed.
I looked up, and there she was,
A head taller than me, her chestnut hair neatly combed and pulled into a ponytail. She carried herself with effortless elegance, her beauty striking yet intimidating.
Her gaze traveled slowly down my figure, then back up again. My stomach twisted. I hadn't really been taking care of myself since... everything. Maybe I should have at least made an effort today. Too late now.
Her lips curled into a displeased smile.
"I'm guessing you're the new girl," she mused, tilting her head slightly. "I thought you'd be... more." The disappointment in her voice stung more than it should have.
Before I could think of a response, another voice cut through the air—smooth, sharp, and undeniably fierce.
"Get lost, Tisha."