𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗶𝘁𝘆 || 𝒌𝒑𝒐𝒑 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒕 ᴮᵒᵒᵏ ¹ [MAJOR REVISIONS👷]

❝To Walk the Hallway Alone...❞(✔︎)

!!TW!! - There will be talks about bullying and violence that comes with bullying.

!!Reader's discretion is advised!!

Feel free to skip this portion of the story if you think you can't handle such topic or feel sensitive when it comes to this topic. Take care of yourself first and hope to see ya on the next chapters♡♡

[ YEAR: < 2013 > ]

❜ ─ THIRD PERSON'S POV ─ ❛

"See you after school, Momma!" Kala called out, her arms briefly wrapped around her mother in a tight hug before she turned toward the looming school gates.

"I love you, my miracle! Good luck today, Sweet Aurora! Enjoy your day!" her mother replied brightly, waving from just outside the gate, unaware of the shadow that waited for her daughter on the other side.

Kala turned her head one last time to catch a glimpse of her mom walking briskly toward her workplace—an accountant at a mid-sized car company about fifteen minutes away by car. For a moment, Kala allowed herself to linger there, watching her mom disappear into the morning crowd, the soft click of her heels fading like a gentle lullaby.

That warmth vanished the moment Kala turned back toward the campus. The iron gates closed behind her with a dull clang—too final, too cold.

Hell.

No, not school—Hell, she corrected herself silently.

She adjusted the straps of her backpack and exhaled slowly, like someone bracing for a storm. Her knuckles whitened slightly as her grip tightened.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself. "It's just another day. Just... another day."

Kala was in the fourth grade now—two years ahead of her age group. A blessing on paper, a burden in reality. Her intellect had earned her a scholarship and acceleration, which should have been a relief, and it was—for her parents. They no longer needed to worry about tuition, uniforms, or miscellaneous school fees. She was proud of that.