CHAPTER 1: THE GIRL NO ONE SEES

The jingling of the bell could be heard round the whole school. That was my cue to leave. I stood up from my seat immediately.

My classmates all filed out of the classroom in groups, chatting and bickering about one thing or the other while I was left to walk home alone. My life has always been this way.

Ever since I was little,my parents refrained from having any close relationships or friendly chit chat with our neighbors. 

These people eventually stopped approaching us because they could tell that my parents were unwilling to relate with them.

Even till my final year in high school,I still remained invincible and unnoticed.

"It's the only way we can keep you safe. Soon enough,you will understand". 

That was the reply I always got from my parents anytime I confronted them for an explanation regarding why I was never allowed to mingle with my peers.Tl Gabriella. What took you so long?" She said without turning to look at me.

I wasn't surprised,it has always been like that. I guess the sharp hearing ability runs in the family.

"Hi! Mum. Nothing serious,just taking my time" I responded. 

"Where is dad?"

  "He's upstairs,right in his study room."

I walked over to the study room and before I could knock,he quickly opened the door slightly and closed it behind me. 

It was quite obvious that he was hiding something since he never allowed me in.

"Gabby," he called out. That was the pet name he was fond of calling me.I was so close to him that my mother got jealous sometimes.

"How was your day at school?" I almost rolled my eyes at the question he asked as if he didn't know how things were. 

"The usual" I said distantly. The aroma coming from the kitchen covered all my senses. The table had already been set.

I quickly rushed over to the dining table. Mum had prepared pasta and vegetables with fruit salad as a desert. But most of all,she had fried some beef. 

My love for meat was beyond my own understanding. Even though we always ate it for dinner,I never lost my appetite for it.

I was about to take a piece from the bowl when I felt a stern gaze on me.

"Don't you dare touch anything with that stinky hand of yours" my mum said, almost yelling.

That was when I remembered that I hadn't cleaned up yet. I ran upstairs with my face flushed with embarrassment.

I headed back to the dining table after taking a quick shower. I was so hungry that I didn't notice the sad expression on my parents' face.

The atmosphere was so tense unlike the way it has always been,full of laughter and argument. I had to stop eating for a moment and looked at them with a questioning gaze.

"What's going on, what's with the look on your faces?" 

"It's nothing dear. When are you having your final exams?" Mum asked. I could tell she was trying to avoid my question soI just played along.

"Next week,I guess. An official notice has not been issued yet" I responded with a hint of annoyance in my voice. I still don't know why they cared to ask about my school when they've never tried to visit when they were expected to.

After dinner,I helped mum do the dishes and for some reason that was unknown to me, they avoided anything that would start up a conversation.

We all went to bed early with each of us having our own thoughts. 

****

I woke up late for school the next morning. I had to leave without having breakfast which made mum upset because she had to wake up early to prepare breakfast for me.

I felt bad for her but wasn't ready to be punished for my lateness and I would definitely have lunch at the school cafeteria so she shouldn't worry herself too much.

I gave her a quick hug and bolted out of the house. I had to run all the way to school and by the time I got there, I was out of breath.

The gatekeeper just ignored me when he saw me panting which was exactly what I wanted.

After all the boring lectures,I was walking over to the cafeteria. My head was full of thoughts about what I had noticed from my parents last night.

I failed to notice that I was about to walk down the stairs and by the time I did,it was too late.

I broke out in cold sweat as I saw my life flash before me. I was terrified. I closed my eyes waiting to hear my bones breaking,but it never came. Instead,I felt a warm feeling engulf me.

My eyes fluttered open to see the face of the person that had caught me. 

As I met his gaze,I was captivated by his deep brown eyes and his cute face. 

My goodness! I had never set my eyes on him before. His handsome face made me feel butterflies in my stomach. 

I got lost in the moment until his cool voice brought me back to reality.

"Watch your step next time," I heard him say.

His voice was so thick and sounded like a bass pro. I was so amazed by the encounter with the cute young man. He had dimples and small lips which was so attractive to me. I was going to ask him his name and get to know him more but I had to hold my manners to myself so I just stared at him as I watched him leave. 

I was stunned that I couldn't respond immediately. Before I could thank him,he had already walked away.

For the first time in my life,I felt excited to get to know about a person. I was surely going to find out who he was.