The smell of fresh paint and glue were over the room. The sound of laughter was everywhere as students gathered and were setting up their materials, comparing their assignments and preparing for the day assessment.Aria walked into the theater art room quietly, even though the burn had begun to heal, the pain she felt was excruciating. She held onto her sketch board tightly. She spotted the table where Tina and Bella sat at their usual spot by the window side, she paused for a while with her chest thudding, she summoned courage while walking towards them.Tina looked up to her direction and rolled her eyes, “see who will have here, you decided to show up”? Aria ignored them and tried drawing out a chair to sit.“This table is full”, Tina said“Yes the table is occupied with reasonable people,” Bella fired back without looking up from her Sketchbook. “You aren't welcome here, find somewhere else to sit.”There was laughter everywhere.“Afterall, we don't want anyone setting the table
The rain had stopped just before the bell rang, but the sky was still filled with heavy clouds. Rosewood Elites parking lot was filled with laughter, and chatter as students came in. Some dragged their feet. Students moved in small groups through the school gate, everywhere were buzzling with different activities. Students and teachers assembled for the morning devotion, with the principal leading them, after then he gave some announcement. While the students were gathered, she walked into the assembly hall slowly with a calculative step, putting on a black hoodie, which was pulled over her face. She wore her oversized black sunglasses which shielded her eyes from having eye contact with her classmates, and to prevent people from seeing her reddish and puffy eyes. She tried suppressing the emotional pain that emerged from her. Her jeans hung loosely on her waist and her white sneakers were too clean, like they hadn’t touched a single dirt. She wrapped a dark blue scarf aroun
A great hero received a collective mourning from the skies. A soft rain from the grey clouds gently knocked against the windows of the black car which stood outside the church. The precipitation did not develop into a full storm. "The rain dropped with deep sadness in each drop.”The music produced by the instruments sounded like tears falling from above.Inside the car, Aria sat down quietly.Her black short dress had lace sleeves and she wore a silk scarf which she used to protect herself from people's gazes."Underneath her scarf, her face remained partially hidden behind her large sunglasses but the fresh burns on her face continued to sting and itch. Since that night she has refused to check her reflection in the mirror. The pain she felt was so intense Her hands rested on her lap as she nervously played with the edges of her gown. That was the only thing that kept her busy. The world outside seemed like a movie was being played because of the blurry faces of people mourning, b
The beeping of the machine was heard in Aria's room. The strong smell of medicine and antiseptic intercepted everywhere and filled her nose. She could hear machines beside her, quietly beeping in a steady rhythm. There were voices at the background Aria’s eyes opened gradually. The ceiling and walls were all painted white. Her lips and throat were dry. She felt pain all over her body. Where… where was she? She thought. Her heartbeat increased as her mind tried to remember. The memory of the fire incident lingered in her mind, then she remembered her dad. She tried calling out to her dad, barely recognizing her voice. She felt pain, but it wasn't too obvious where the pain was coming from. She felt like her skin had bruises on them She adjusted her hand, so she could stand up from the bed, but felt a sharp pain that felt like she was stabbed through her left shoulder. She cried out, falling back onto the bed. Then suddenly the door opened. "Aria!" a voice she reco
The late afternoon sun shone gently through the tall windows of Rosewood Elite Class, a place for the best students and children from rich families. The walls were cream colored and shiny, with gold decorations and fancy moldings. The furniture looked like it belonged in a five star hotel well polished wood with glass tops, soft leather chairs in royal blue, and long velvet curtains in light blue. Each desk had a screen built into the wood for private reading and lessons. A small but elegant chandelier hung in the middle of the room, casting a warm light over the students sitting in neat rows.Miss Carolina, the class’s kind but firm teacher, dropped her pen and looked up from her lesson notes with a gentle smile.“I’ll be stepping out for a few minutes,” she said. “Please use this time wisely to read your book. No noise.”As soon as the door closed behind her, quiet talking started. People whispered to each other across the room. At the back, Zayne leaned toward Jayden and Marcus. T
Jayden didn’t move right away, then turned his gaze towards the direction where Hope stood barefooted, fists tightened , jaw set.She wasn’t in pain.She wasn't crying She wasn’t fighting backShe was burning with anger.He took a few steps forward, but Hope was already walking away.By Friday morning, everyone at Rosewood Elite could feel the tension. It showed in looks, secret stares, and quiet coldness.Hope walked down the hall with her shoulders straight. She wore the new shoes she got and had a calm look in her eyes but inside her was sharp. She had learned that kindness was not always returned. Some people thought that being quiet meant she was weak.Miss Carolina caught her at her locker.“Hope,” she said softly. “Everything okay?”Hope hesitated, then gave a tight smile. “Yes,Miss Carolina.”Carolina studied her a moment longer but didn’t push. “If you need anything… my door is always open.”Hope nodded, grateful for the offer but unsure how to accept it. She wasn’t read