"Everyone has secrets, and everyone has something to hide, but the real question is what are you willing to do to keep yours hidden inside."
When Juliet, Violet, and Scarlet's abusive mother and stepfather were mysteriously murdered. Their lives to...
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J U L I E T V A L E N T I N E P O V
We walked side by side to the art class, and upon arrival, Rena guided me to a table where an Asian girl with a French bob and stylish bangs sat.
Her oversized headphones rested gently around her neck, and she was completely engrossed in sketching within her notebook, her brows furrowing in concentration.
"Hey, what's up, Mia!" Rena greeted with excitement. Mia looked up from her sketchbook, offering a small smile.
"Not much, just finishing up my latest sketch," Mia replied. Her attention shifted to me as she raised an inquisitive eyebrow at Rena.
Rena introduced me, saying, "This is Juliet. We're in the same English class, and I managed to rescue her from Bella's grasp." She chuckled playfully.
Mia's eyes widened in playful shutter fear as she whispered, "Shh, don't summon her. Bella terrifies me." Rena rolled her eyes in response, and I couldn't help but crack a faint smile at their banter.
Mia turned her attention towards me, extending a friendly smile. "Anyways, it's nice to meet you, Juliet," I responded with a note of thanks, and Mia's expression turned curious.
Quickly jotting down that I was mute to prevent any misunderstandings, I showed her the note. "Do you know sign language?" Mia asked, her tone devoid of judgment, genuinely curious.
"Hello, Ladies!" A cheerful voice greeted us, drawing my gaze toward the source. It was a tanned boy with tousled, dirty blond hair, and a grin that reminded me of a Californian surfer.
"Hey there, Adrian," Mia and Rena welcomed him warmly. Adrian settled beside Mia, his eyes flickering with interest as he glanced at me. "And who might this be?" he asked, extending his hand for a friendly shake.
"This is Juliet, a new friend," Mia announced with delight. I reciprocated his handshake with a shy smile, appreciative of his warm reception.
"Juliet is mute, so she communicates with her notebook," Rena explained, and I appreciated how easily she could convey my situation without any judgment.
"Got it. That's cool," Adrian responded, with a lazy smile his hands moving as he spoke. It didn't take long for me to realize he was using sign language.
I inquired about his sign language skills, and Adrian explained, "My mom is deaf, so I learned sign language early on." His smile radiated warmth.
"Are you new here?" Mia asked eagerly. I scribbled that I had recently moved in with my dad and ended up in this school.
Both Rena and Adrian beamed. "Well then, you're welcome to hang out with us. New friends are always welcome!" Mia's enthusiasm warmed my heart.
Rena nodded, adding, "Absolutely, we're a close-knit group. You'll fit right in." Her reassuring smile eased my nerves in this unfamiliar environment.
Adrian chimed in, signing while speaking, "Definitely, we stick together and watch out for each other. Plus, we can help you steer clear of Bella and her crew."
I inquired if Bella and her friends were always like that.
"Yeah, they think they're the best just because their families are loaded and they're 'refined' ballerinas," Rena replied, mimicking their haughty tone.
As we continued chatting, I occasionally stole glances at her sketchbook. Her passion for art was palpable in the meticulous way she worked on her drawings. Curiosity got the best of me, and I gestured towards her notebook with a silent query.
Mia grinned and eagerly flipped through her sketchbook to showcase her latest creations. Her edgy style seemed to reflect her personality.
I pointed to a particular sketch that caught my eye, and she nodded in response, delighted to find another art enthusiast.
Leaning in, Adrian spoke as well as signed, "Mia's artwork is amazing. She's a pro at capturing emotions and expressions."
His admiration for her talent deepened my appreciation for their friendship. Mia blushed slightly and thanked him.
As we spent more time together, I learned about Adrian's unique role as a sign language tutor and his love for surfing, though he couldn't indulge as much due to his current location.
Rena shared her adventurous spirit, recounting tales of exploring new places on hiking trips with her family. She also spoke of her love for animals. She wanted to be a veterinarian.
Mia told me about her dream of owning her tattoo shop. She loves art and has won a few contests because of her work.
Amidst their vibrant personalities and varied interests, I felt a sense of belonging. Even though I was new, they made me feel like I was a part of something special - a group of friends who genuinely cared for each other.
I have never had that before we continued to bond over shared experiences and laughter. We exchanged notes, doodling funny sketches and inside jokes on each other's notebooks.
When the class drew to a close, a pang of sadness washed over me as our time together ended too quickly.
"Hey, Juliet, care to join us for lunch?" Adrian's dimpled smile accompanied the invitation as I nodded in agreement.
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AUTHORS NOTE
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