ONE: THE LETTER

Seventeenth wish I could turn the clock around and re-do it again, I turned to my bedstand and my lips curled into a smile, a sad one. A picture of my mum was on the stand, she was so pretty, I miss her everyday.

I sighed and pulled myself out of the covers, I turned to the mirror and sighed, I looked like a mess, a reflection of my life at the moment.

I pushed my wavy hair back, trying to tame it a little and ran my tongue over my chapped lips.

I forced myself into the shower and pulled out my toothbrush squeezing toothpaste out of the tube, I pushed it into my mouth and started scrubbing like a mad woman. I stared at the mirror once again and spat into the sink

“You're special, you're beautiful, you're amazing” I said to myself in the mirror, I've watched many tiktoks of people saying positive affirmations to themselves in the mirror.

“Yeah won't work for me” I rinsed my mouth and came out from my room walking into the living room.

My stepdad sat on the island bench in the kitchen sipping coffee, he liked black coffee, just like his heart.

“Good morning James” I greeted but he didn't even bother answering me. I clenched and unclenched my jaw before walking over to the fridge, I pulled out the milk carton and a bowl from one of th cabinet, I poured the milk in first before adding the Cereal, that's how I liked eating my cereal, I let it soak and watched it become soggy before spooning it into my mouth.

I sucked on it and chewed hard before swallowing, James looked up giving me a disgusted look before walking away.

I ignored him and continued my cereal, pulling out my phone. I began scrolling on tiktok, I didn't exactly have anyone to text.

I was laughing at one of the videos when a paper landed on the island drawing my attention. I looked up it was an envelope.

“Open it” James said boredly, he had thrown the envelope on the island, I pulled it closer to me and tore it open, I didn't even bother to check the sender. I pulled the paper inside and it looked like a letter.

Bridgeford high:

Miss Avery Martins, you have been accepted into our academic program for the year, the semester has already begun and you are required to resume as soon as possible, your uniform and further details will be given to you at the school.

We are delighted to have you join our program and expect your appearance soonest

The headmistress office

“James what is this?” I asked as a frown marred my lips.

“You're new school, what does it look like?” he scoffed. “James, I don't need another school now!” I subconsciously raised my voice.

“You're going whether you like it or not, I can't have you wasting away in my house,I want you gone Avery, gone!” He shouted this time and tears pricked my eyes.

“Every second I look at you, I want you gone, I want you to leave” he said through gritted teeth and I did everything to hold back the tears, I didn't want to cry in front of him.

“You look like her Avery, every time I see you, I'm reminded of her” James said in a low voice this time as tears came to his own eyes

“James….” He raised a hand to stop me from speaking.

“I need to recover from losing your mother Avery, and you need to go to school” he sighed, taking a deep breath.

“It's a boarding, it's far from here, you'll only be back on holidays” James sighed and my frown turned into a smile.

It was a boarding school and it was far away, this might just be my chance to start over somewhere else, somewhere where no one knows me.

“I'll go” I said and James looked up at me, shocked.

“It might just be what I need, and I'll be away from your sight just like you wanted” a little smile pulled up at my lips which James didn't miss.

“Start packing, we move this evening” he announced before going into his room. I read the letter again.

Bridgeford high, here I come….