When I got out of the car, I rushed inside the house. Abigail was in the living room, smiling as always, and immediately asked:
"How was your first day of school, Mia?"
All I wanted in that moment was to cry and get a hug, but I held back the tears and replied:
"It was fine. I'm going to my room for a bit—I've got a headache."
I hurried upstairs, and as soon as I reached my room, I threw myself onto the bed. I grabbed my phone and started scrolling through old photos of my former school. It was impossible not to cry. After a few minutes, I set my phone down on the vanity table and ended up falling asleep.
I woke up startled by my dad calling me.
"Mia," he said, shaking my arm.
I glanced at the clock. 7:05 p.m.
"Hi, Dad," I mumbled groggily.
"Sweetheart, let's have dinner."
I nodded, and he left.
"I'll be waiting for you in the dining room," he added.
I was surprised he didn't ask about my first day, but I went downstairs anyway. My dad was already seated, while Abigail stood next to the table.
"Abigail, have dinner with us," I said.
She looked embarrassed."No, sweetie, I was just waiting to see you."
My father gently took her arm.
"Sit with us. Mia likes your company, and that makes me happy."
She hesitated, but finally sat down.
We ate in silence for a while until my dad sighed and asked:
"Mia, why were you crying in the car?"
Of course the driver told him.
"It was nothing, Dad. I just missed my old school."
Abigail touched my arm gently and looked into my eyes.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded.
My phone was on the table when it suddenly started ringing. I looked at the screen — Brandon.
"Why is this boy calling you?" my dad asked.
"I don't know," I replied quickly.
Without hesitation, he grabbed my phone and declined the call.
"No phones at dinner."
After we ate, we played charades. It was fun. For a moment, I forgot about my terrible day.
When I said goodnight and went to my room, I called Brandon back.
"Hey, I thought you were avoiding me," he joked.
"No, not at all," I answered shyly.
"We're going out tomorrow night," he said out of nowhere.
"I… I…" I stammered.
He cut me off:
"I'll pick you up at seven. I'll ask your dad personally. And I won't take 'no' for an answer."
Before I could say anything, he added:
"A big kiss."
And hung up.
I froze. "I'm screwed," I thought.
I took a shower and tried to sleep. I stared at the pink ceiling for a long time, but sleep wouldn't come. I got up and called my mom.
"Honey, it's late. You should be sleeping already… but I'll let it slide because I miss you so much," she said.
A tear slipped down my cheek, but I tried to keep my voice steady.
I walked to the window, looking outside. That's when I saw a strange man across the street, standing still, watching my house.
"Honey? Are you there?" my mom asked.
"Yes… but I'm going to sleep now. I'm suddenly tired," I said quickly.
We said goodbye, and I hung up immediately. Frightened, I closed the blinds and lay down again.
"Who was that man? Why was he staring at my house?"
"It must've been my imagination," I tried to convince myself.
But my mind wouldn't stop. I thought about everything until, finally, I fell asleep.
The next morning, I got ready for school. At least now I had a uniform — meaning no one could mock my clothes again.
My dad drove me once more, and I stayed silent on the way.
"Sweetheart, this school must be good for you. The tuition costs a fortune… If anything happens, you tell me, okay?"
"Okay, Dad."
When I got out of the car and looked at the school, I sighed. Unlike the day before, I felt zero excitement — quite the opposite.
"Hey, Mia! I was waiting for you," Emma said, coming over.
I smiled, relieved to see her, and we walked to class together.
Inside, we saw Katty with her group. When I noticed her customized uniform, I thought: It's just a uniform… what a shallow girl.
I sat down as the History teacher entered.
"Students, form groups of three. You'll research the history of Florida since its founding."
As soon as he finished, chaos began — everyone forming groups. Emma turned to Adam and asked:
"Wanna work with us?"
"Sure! Thanks! At least this time I won't be the leftover," he laughed.
We laughed with him and followed the teacher to the library.
On the way, Wender glanced at Katty and mocked:
"Look what a cute trio: the ghetto boy, the skank, and the country girl."
Katty laughed.
We stayed quiet. We knew exactly who they were talking about.
When we reached the library, I noticed the most gorgeous guy I had ever seen. Our eyes met. Then he said:
"Good morning, students. I'm Chad, the morning intern here. If you need anything, just ask."
I sat down with Emma and Adam, and we started working. During our conversation, Adam mentioned he had a scholarship and lived in Pine Hills.
"Wow…" Emma muttered.
I didn't understand her reaction.
"Yes, Emma, it's the hood. That's where I'm from," Adam added.
Emma looked embarrassed.
"But you're smart — you earned a scholarship," I said.
"Your parents must be really proud of you," Emma added.
Adam looked down and simply said:
"Yeah…"
I didn't understand his reaction. Still, I enjoyed spending that time with both of them. Adam, like Emma, was a great person — handsome too: black hair and eyes, tall, light skin. His style wasn't gangster, but also not rich boy — unique, just his own.
When the bell rang, I decided to pick a book to borrow. As students left, I went to the shelves and found The Great Gatsby. I had never read it. I took the book to the desk to register it.
"Great choice! You'll like it," Chad said, smiling.
I smiled back.
While he entered my info, the lights went out suddenly and we heard the door slam shut.
We ran to the exit. Chad got there first, tried the door, and cursed:
"Damn… locked!"
I stood frozen, terrified. My phone was in my locker. The room was dark because of the curtains, even though it was daytime.
"Call the office!" I suggested.
"The phone needs power…" Chad replied.
"And your phone?"
"In my locker. Staff can't carry cellphones."
I began to feel short of breath. My chest tightened. Tears rolled down uncontrollably.
"Hey, breathe… calm down," Chad tried to reassure me. "If I hit the emergency button, the whole school will be evacuated. Don't worry — they'll find us here."
His voice started sounding distant. My body got heavy. Everything went black.
The next moments were a blur. I heard sirens. A bright light hit my eyes. My head was resting on Chad's lap.
Then someone opened the door.
"What happened here?" a voice asked.
"I don't know… She fainted. Someone locked us in," Chad said, moving aside.
My voice came out weak:
"Dad… call my dad…"
After that, I remembered nothing.
I woke up in the school clinic. From afar, I heard my dad yelling:
"Where's my daughter? Where is she?!"
He rushed in, hugged me tightly, and said:
"It's okay now."
I took a breath and whispered:
"It is now."
When I was stable, the principal asked us to go to her office. My dad muttered the whole way:
"You'd better have a good explanation."
"We apologize, Mr. Luck Hollis. We'll clarify everything," she said.
Inside the office, I saw Chad sitting there. He turned to me, clearly worried.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine now," I answered.
The principal cleared her throat sharply:
"Chad, you will be punished. There was no need to trigger the school alarm."
He interrupted, outraged:
"She was passing out! She fainted!"
My father frowned.
"He did the right thing! The real question is: how did they get locked inside the library?"
The principal hesitated.
"It appears a student… played a prank. When the library closes, we turn off the lights to save energy, and she locked the door from outside."
My dad snapped:
"What student?!"
She stuttered:
"Miss Ashford. She'll be dealt with tomorrow. Because of the evacuation, all students have already been dismissed."
My father glared at her.
"If anything like this happens again, I'll sue this school! Now let's go, Mia. You need rest."
I checked the clock — 2:20 p.m. Everything had happened so fast…
He led me toward the exit. Before we left, he turned to Chad:
"Thank you, son."
Chad nodded and smiled softly.
"Bye, Mia. Take care."
I smiled back.
In the parking lot, I spotted Emma and Adam. The moment they saw me, Emma ran and hugged me tightly. I felt safe again.
"Mia, we were so worried!"
Adam smiled.
"Glad you're okay."
My dad watched them before asking:
"You two waited here this whole time?"
"Yes," Emma said.
He nodded.
"I'll take you home. Get in."
Emma shook her head.
"No need, sir. I came by car, but thanks."
My dad turned to Adam.
"And you?"
"I take the bus, don't worry," he replied.
My dad frowned.
"No way. I'll take you."
Emma hesitated.
"He lives far…"
"Far where?" my dad asked.
"Pine Hills," Adam replied.
My dad's eyes widened. Without hesitation, he pulled out his wallet and handed Adam a hundred-dollar bill.
"It is far — and dangerous. Take a cab."
Adam tried giving it back, but my dad refused.
"No arguments. Take it."
I got into the car and whispered a "thank you" to Emma and Adam before closing the door. They smiled.
On the way home, my mind replayed everything. But in the middle of the chaos, there was something good: I had met Chad. And now I knew I had real friends — Emma and Adam.
Maybe there was a bright side to all this.
I closed my eyes tightly and imagined horseback riding, the wind on my face, fields of flowers stretching endlessly around me. How could people prefer a big city?
I remembered something my grandfather always said:There are bad people in this world, but for every bad one, there are five good ones. Believe it — life will show you the good ones too.
And at that moment, I agreed with him completely.