In this area, the lights never come on, there are no visitors, and it's always dead silent. The houses stand empty without residents, and no one wants to buy a home here.
Twelve-year-old Luke Campbell suffers from loneliness - he has no friends, an...
As Luke walked into Aliya's house for the first time, he was greeted by a seriously cool setup. The living room was all cozy, with comfy sofas and a fireplace giving off major chill vibes. Family pics and artsy stuff decorated the walls, making it feel homey and welcoming. A soft rug on the floor screamed comfort.
Taking a tour, Luke found out this wasn't just a regular one-floor deal—it was a three-story wonderland. The rooms were like personalized zones, each with its own unique style. Aliya's room was a book nerd's dream, bursting with color and shelves stacked with reads. The kitchen was like the heart of the place with its vibe.
Then, when he stepped outside, it was like hitting the jackpot. The garden was a lush escape, with green grass and flowers showing off all the colors. A chill patio with a table and chairs looked like the perfect spot for hanging out. Luke couldn't help but think Aliya's place was straight-up awesome, and that garden? It was like a slice of paradise just steps away.
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But there was one strange thing in this house - the light. Everything here was turned on, and the rooms were brightly lit. But it couldn't be that simple! There is no electricity here.
But my thoughts were suddenly interrupted. Aliya... vanished into thin air. Just in front of him. She did this only to reappear throughout the house as if by magic. The girl then burst into laughter.
"Wow! How did you learn to do that?" He couldn't help but wonder if there was a playful magic at play or if Aliya possessed extraordinary skills he had never encountered before.
"I've always been able to do that." Her laughter echoed through the rooms, leaving Luke bewildered and intrigued.
Luke couldn't fathom how Aliya accomplished these perplexing feats. She repeated it again a few times. Her laughter remained infectious. Each time she materialized out of nowhere, it brought an element of surprise and joy to the household.
"Playing hide and seek with you must be fun!" Luke exclaimed.
"We can play! Come on, try to find me!"
She vanished in an instant. Luke later admitted to himself that playing this game with Aliya was quite challenging...
*** As Luke opened the front door, he felt a knot of worry tighten in his stomach. He saw his parents sitting in the living room, their expressions were really serious. They already know.
Mom looked at the boy with concern. "Luke, your teacher called today. She said you've been skipping lessons. Is that true?"
Luke hesitated before answering, "Um, well, yeah. I've been having a hard time at school. All these books and..."
Dad chimed in, "Skipping lessons is not the way to deal with problems, Luke. We expect you to face difficulties, not avoid them."
Luke sighed, "I know, Dad. I just didn't want you to be disappointed in me."
Mom spoke gently, "We're always here to help you, Luke. Skipping won't solve anything. Let's talk about what's going on."
They sat together, discussing Luke's challenges, and his parents assured him that they would support him in finding better ways to handle difficulties at school. But he just didn't want to tell them the truth.
Luke shifted uncomfortably, hesitating to share the real reason behind his actions. "Well, the thing is, I've been feeling lazy to go to school. It's just been hard."
Dad's face tightened in disapproval. "Lazy? Luke, laziness is not an excuse. You need to take responsibility for your education."
Mom's disappointment was evident as she said, "Skipping school is not the solution, young man. You can't let laziness dictate your choices."
Luke, feeling the weight of their anger, avoided mentioning the bullying. "I promise, I'll try harder. It won't happen again."
Dad's stern expression remained. "You better make sure of that, Luke. Laziness is not a valid reason to neglect your education."
Luke simply nodded. What else was there for him to do?
