Aces

ONE

Amaya

Staring back at me through the dirty mirror was a girl I didn't quite recognise. She wore a tight skirt instead of jogging bottoms and her makeup was done beautifully, completely abolishing her once natural face. Her thick, black, curly hair was pushed back from her face by a simple, black headband. Pain and dread filled the deep, brown eyes that hid behind her glasses. I turned away from the mirror before I could hurt myself anymore. I really didn't want to go to school today. First days are always horrible, especially when the school you're going to is Maple Park: an egotistical private school full of snobby, white, rich kids. I would stick out like a sore thumb, and trust me, that's the worst thing that could possibly happen. First of all, I was a completely different race to the rest of them, and the only reason I'm even going to that stupid school is because I got in on an athletics scholarship. For me, that means walking down the hallways to see people's brand new phones and trainers whilst I have what? Next to nothing. Ma was only able to buy me a phone last year, and it's not the best, but it'll do. Truthfully, there is no way I would've accepted the invitation if it wasn't for Ma. I suppose I'm doing it for Pa too, actually. He always told me to follow my dreams and stop at nothing to make them come true. On the track is the only place I feel 100% myself; it's as if when I run, I sprout a beautiful pair of wings and I fly.
"AMAYA ROWE! HURRY UP!" I heard Ma scream from downstairs. She may be little, but my God she can be loud. Grabbing my backpack, I ran downstairs. "Will you please stop calling me by my full name?" I asked. "Give me time, woman."
"Sorry, honey."
"It's f-" I was cut off mid-sentence by a strong force that sent me flying to the ground.
"Noah, get off your sister. You're going to make her late for her first day at her new school!"
"She can't go!" Noah whined. "I can't manage in school without her. All the kids are so mean to me, but it's okay when Amaya's there because she protects me." He wasn't lying. From what little I've seen, nearly every kid in that school treats him like he's nothing. It's ridiculous! Sure, he doesn't look like the rest of them, but that doesn't mean he's any less beautiful. In fact, I think his singular blue eye makes him more special than everyone else. Anyway, that's another reason why I do not want to go to Maple Park, but just from Ma's face, I could tell she really wanted this for me more than she'd ever wanted anything else. Surely it couldn't be that bad? Noah pulled himself away from me with tears in his eyes. As I bent down to kiss his forehead, he handed me his small frog teddy. "Take Ribbity with you," he ordered. "He brings good luck, and he can remind you of me if you feel lonely or scared."
"I'm so lucky to have you as my brother." A lump rose in my throat as I spoke and I fought to stop myself from bursting into tears. I ruffled Noah's hair before turning to face the door. "I love you, buddy. I'll see you later. Be good in school today, okay?"
"I love you too. Mama said we can have lasagne tonight too because it's your favourite!"
"Come on Amaya," Ma warned. "If you don't hurry up, you'll be late and it's only the first day."
"Okay, okay, I'm going." Closing the door behind me, I stepped out into the peaceful quiet of our street. High up in the blossoming trees, birds sang their morning songs. I drank in the serenity before I turned the corner, unleashing myself into the bustling, boisterous area in which my new school stood. Here goes nothing.