تسجيل الدخولChapter 3
Leah's P.O.V
Sky looked at me strangely, the look in his eyes was as if he were trying to pass a message. Perhaps, signalling me to come over like his personal maid, and do as he had instructed.
I rolled my eyes, but went to him anyway. I pushed my way through to the front, stretched the bottle of water to him, and he took it.
The girls gasped and glanced at the lucky girl, whom Sky had accepted. When they saw it was “Leah”, their gaze turned hateful. Of course I knew what they were thinking.
“Why would Sky choose her, of all people? What was so special about her? And since when did they become this close?” And blah, blah, blah.
I, on the other hand, was angry within myself. Everyone was staring at me weirdly, and the girls were unusually silent. Everyone's gaze was fixated on Leah, Sky, and the girls. Just the kind of attention I would've appreciated — if I were famous.
“Great!” I muttered under my breath.
I wanted to leave this place, so badly, as if I'd be infected by the world's most deadliest disease if I stayed any longer. It was awkward being stared at by this kind of crowd, in this kind of situation. I know what everyone was thinking right now — a girl craving Sky’s attention was standing before their very eyes, holding a face towel. She even gave him a bottle of water.
Yeah, right. They always made a big deal out of everything.
Good. I've had enough of this. I turned to throw the towel at his face and leave, but just as I lifted the towel to his chest, I gasped loudly.
Sky emptied the bottle of water over my hair. The cold water sent shivers down my spine, and I shuddered involuntarily.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” Sky said in a mocking way, and everyone burst out laughing.
Alicia, the lead cheerleader, stepped forward, pressing herself against his arms.
I couldn't help but feel nauseous. I mean what are kids as old as them doing in our class in the first place?
“Sky, you must be thirsty. And having to deal with this filth,” she glared at me for a split second, then smiled at Sky, “you must be exhausted.”
Alicia opened the bottle of water and handed it to Sky. Surprisingly, he took it, and drank from it.
“Ooh!” The girls gushed.
“They look good together!”
“Skylicia for life!”
“I envy her!”
“Who does Leah think she is, by the way?”
“Leah could never stand up to Alicia.”
“Did she think Sky would like a wretch like her?”
“I wish I could be Alicia!”
They went on and on, saying all sorts of nonsense, but soon, they all sounded like distant noises to me.
Did Sky make me come here, just so he could humiliate me and make me a laughing stock again?
If that was his plan, then congratulations to him for succeeding.
Their haunting laughs echoed in my ears once again. I was more than embarrassed. My eyes became misty, and before I could even think twice, I ran out of the hall.
I went to the locker hall, and on the way, people kept staring at me, and I also heard giggles. Not sure if I was the object of their giggles, but it kept echoing in my head.
Once in front of my locker, I opened it and locked myself in. I sat thMy spare uniform wasn't in my locker, and I couldn't go to class looking like this! Lost in thoughts, I fell asleep.
I don't know how long I had been in my locker, but when I came out, classes had ended, and school was almost empty. I touched my body and realized that even my dress had dried up… already? That was fast.
I quickly carried my backpack and went home in a hurry. My body ached all over, and it felt like the burden of the entire world was laid on me! Even on the bus, I kept stretching, but the pain didn't want to leave. The more I stretched, the more I felt the weather getting colder.
When I got home, mom wasn't back yet. Thank goodness! If she had returned before me, she would've been worried sick.
I went to my room, and after freshening up, my head felt heavier, and I sat on my bed. The world was spinning before my eyes, and everything in my room was rolling on the floor.
I felt the need to stand up and arrange them, but I was afraid I'd fall. Just then, my fear came to pass—the bed seemed to glide toward the wall, and I collapsed back onto it. Everything happened so fast that I felt dizzy. I was lying in an uncomfortable position, but I couldn't get up. The next minute, I opened my eyes, the light in my room was blinding.
I closed my eyes, and listened to my environment. Some people were murmuring. Who had entered my room? Are they thieves?
I wanted to take a quick glance, but my eyes felt heavier. Soon, I felt a sharp sting on my arm. I opened my eyes, but saw nothing but pure white, and then heard my name. Was this a nightmare?
Shortly, I opened my eyes and saw some creatures. Their description matched very well with the ones I had read in a horror story —long legs, sharp claws, ugly looking with their fangs bared. Only one thought was in my head—Run!
I turned around to run, but it seemed like I was strolling instead. I glanced back at them, and they snarled and growled, approaching fast. I tried to run, but it seemed like I wasn't moving.
I tried to scream, but no sound came out. They grabbed me —one holding my left arm, and another holding my right. I wanted to cry, but the tears weren't pouring. Instead, a sharp headache hit me.
If this was a dream, now would be the right time to wake up!
They threw me in a dark abyss. I kept falling, until I finally opened my eyes. I tried to sit up, but the sharp headache hit me again, and I groaned.
It wasn't until now I realized that this wasn't my room. This wasn't home! Where was I?
Chapter 9Eliana's P.O.V“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Leah said. My heart skipped a beat. How did she know? “Nothing gets past your sharp eyes,” I said with a smile. “I’ve just been worried about you, that’s all,” I said, hoping she would take her mind off it. “It’s not that, Mom. You’ve been acting off since today, and I feel it’s not about me.” Each word she said made my heart pound faster. I was extremely nervous. I didn’t know how to tell her. The last time I was jobless, she wanted to get a job by all means, but I was able to convince her then to stop. But now, she is much older, her resolve stronger. “You’re worrying too much over nothing. Trust me, everything is fine,” I said and stirred the hot soup, fixing my gaze on the bowl.Then she suddenly asked, “Is it about work?” My fingers twitched, and my movements stopped. “What do you mean?” I asked with a fake smile. “I noticed you haven’t been going to work, and it’s unlike you. Were you fired?” Bang! She hit t
Chapter 8Leah's P.O.VHe sounded amused, yet the mockery in his tone couldn't be ignored.“So you’re really in the hospital. I thought you just called the teacher to give a fake excuse so you could stay at home,” he sneered.Since he had seen me, I was no longer in a hurry to leave.“Not everyone is like you,” I lifted my chin, feigning defiance. Since we were in the hospital, he couldn’t possibly harm me, could he?“Talking back to me, huh?” he scoffed and inched closer, and I instinctively took a step backward.“What? Are you scared?” he asked.“I’m not scared—”“I’ll take my leave now. I don’t have time to waste on ugly ducklings like you.”He interrupted me, even before I could finish. Sky is such a jerk. One second he called me pretty, the next he’s calling me an ugly duckling. He even made it look like I was the one who was begging to start a conversation.I don’t blame him, I blame myself for coming out. I went back to my ward, and luckily, mom was still asleep.I made up my m
Chapter 7Eliana's P.O.V “You had a fever, and had been unconscious since last night. When I got home this morning, you were still in your school uniform,” I explained. “How are you feeling now?” I asked.“I'm fine,” she responded.The doctor entered, and after confirming that she was okay, I sighed in relief.“Are you hungry?” I asked Leah, and she gave a slight nod. “Okay, I’ll go get you some food and fruit. Be good, okay?”On my way out, I spotted a plastic bag on the table. It was the same one I had used to buy fruits last night.“Excuse me, did you see the person who dropped this?” I asked the nurse who was fixing the drip on Leah.“Yes,” she nodded. “He said you left it in the car.”I was puzzled at first before I remembered the man from last night, whom I had brought to the hospital. ***I had bought food for Leah, and after feeding her, I peeled some fruits for her. I hadn’t had time to chat properly with Leah until now.“How was school yesterday?” I asked.“It was fine,”
Chapter 6 Eliana's P.O.V “My baby!” I choked up in tears.What happened to my daughter? Why was she running a high temperature? Her breathing was ragged.“911! I'll call 911!” I quickly dialed 911, and in the next second, a female voice responded, “911, what's your emergency?”“Oh, please help! My daughter's really sick! She's got a super high fever and she's unconscious!” I said in one breath, my voice laced with panic.“Okay, ma'am, stay calm. Where are you located?” the 911 operator asked.“I'm at 222 Oak Street... no, wait, it's Stone… Platinum Street.” I cried. My mind was a mess, and I kept stuttering. “She's getting worse!” I sobbed.“Okay, help is on the way. Can you tell me her age and what's happening with her?” the 911 operator asked again.“She's seventeen... she was fine yesterday, but now she's hot... like, really hot, and won't wake up!” I cried and sniffled through every word. Even if miracle workers told me to calm down, I wouldn't even let them finish before wailin
Chapter 5 Eliana's P.O.V “Is your daughter in this hospital?” the old lady asked, and I shook my head.I explained everything to her, but obviously, she couldn't understand a word I was saying, because I was crying and speaking at the same time.“It's okay,” she patted my back. “Just calm down and talk slowly, okay?” she said and handed me a handkerchief.I nodded and wiped my tears, but they kept rolling down.Minutes later, I had calmed down, and was finally able to speak coherently. “I'm worried about my daughter,” I started.“The last time I saw her was before I left for work in the morning. On my way home, I caused an accident, and that was how I came to the hospital. I've been trying to call her but she's not picking up, and she hasn't even responded to the texts I sent her during the day.”“How old is your daughter?” She asked.“She's almost eighteen,” I responded.“Oh dearie, just stay calm and take a deep breath. I'm sure your daughter is alright. You've been through a lot
Chapter 4 Eliana’s P.O.VI had just closed for the day from work, and on my way home, I decided to buy something for my daughter. She loved fruits, and I bought her favorites — apples, berries, and of course, pineapples.I work as a house help, and while everyone else saw house helps as low-income earners, my case was different.Though I don't know the kind of business they run, they pay well — maybe a little too well for a house help’s wage. Well, that was none of my business. As long as I'm able to make ends meet for my daughter and me, that's all that matters.“Hi, Brad!” I greeted the fruit vendor with a broad smile. Brad was a man in his late sixties. His daughter used to be my classmate, and he was always friendly to me, even after I gave birth to Leah.Brad looked up, delighted to see me. “Hey, Lana!” he returned the smile.“How's work going? Great, yes?” I asked.“Yes,” he laughed. “Same usual, right?”“Right.”“Haven't seen you around in a while,” he said as he packed the fr







