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...
At school, Luke discovered a talent for playing tennis, thanks to Aliya's patient guidance. With her help, he honed his skills and became quite adept on the court. However, the classmates didn't appreciate it so much...
Jack, the school bully, often made snide comments when Luke showcased his tennis skills. "Look at Luke pretending to be a tennis star! Hilarious!" Jack would exclaim, followed by a mocking laughter that echoed across the schoolyard.
Despite the teasing, Luke persevered and continued playing tennis with passion. Aliya's encouragement fueled his determination, and he found solace in the sport. The tennis court became a haven where he could showcase his abilities and forget about the hurtful words thrown his way.
During one particularly challenging match, Jack couldn't resist making a taunting remark. "Hey, Luke, maybe you should teach us your amazing tennis moves!" Jack jeered, accompanied by a group of snickering children. However, Luke, focused on the game, didn't let the teasing distract him.
And suddenly, for a moment, Luke saw... her. She stood behind the gates to the schoolyard.
Aliya, observing from a distance, noticed the bullying and later approached closer to the yard gates with a serious expression on her face. With Aliya's appearance, Luke continued to excel on the tennis court, proving that his skills spoke louder than the hurtful taunts of the teasing children.
She came here! She came only to support Luke and watch his Luke. He knew he was right with his thoughts.
A minute later, the boy glanced again at the spot where Aliya had stood before. But now, she was no longer there.
*** Luke spent the evening at Aliya's home, enjoying a game of chess with her. The chessboard sat between them, and the pieces moved with each calculated move. Aliya, with a keen mind, showed her strategic prowess, winning five consecutive games.
Despite losing, Luke was impressed by her skills. "You're really good at this, Aliya!" he exclaimed.
The girl chuckled, "It's all about thinking ahead and anticipating moves."
Throughout the games, Aliya displayed her quick wit and sharp intellect. She made clever moves that caught Luke off guard. Each match became a friendly battle of minds, and Aliya's laughter echoed in the room as she outsmarted Luke time and again.
As the evening unfolded, Luke appreciated not only the chess games but also the lively conversations that accompanied them. Aliya's home became a place of warmth and intellectual stimulation. Luke found himself drawn to Aliya's quick-minded nature, making the evening a delightful experience.
Though Luke didn't secure a victory in chess that night, he gained a newfound appreciation for Aliya's intelligence. As they wrapped up the games, he couldn't help but admire her wit and the enjoyable time spent together. Aliya's home, filled with strategic moves and laughter, left Luke with fond memories of a great evening.
"Hey, Aliya, I was thinking... Would you like to meet my parents and come to my house sometime?" Luke asked.
Aliya hesitated for a moment before responding, "I appreciate the offer, Luke, but I'd rather not."
Luke, puzzled, inquired, "Oh, why not? It would be great!"
Aliya simply shook her head and replied, "I'd rather not, Luke. Thanks, though."
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"But why?"
The girl pretended just not to hear him.
"How's the tennis game going?" She abruptly changed the subject.
"Weren't you by the backyard today?"
"Luke, you must be going crazy!"
"But I saw you!"
"I didn't go out the lane today."
But the boy was certain he had seen something. As if Aliya were a phantom...
*** Jack spent the entire evening engrossed in computer games, shouting at his parents whenever they interrupted him. The room echoed with the sounds of virtual battles as he immersed himself in the digital world. Between gaming sessions, he fueled his evening with a substantial amount of crisps, munching away without a care.
A little bit later, the boy lit a cigarette, puffing away while fixating on his plans for the following day at school. The room filled with the acrid smell of smoke as he plotted, seemingly indifferent to the consequences of his actions.
His focus shifted from the computer screen to thoughts of how to torment Luke. Jack, with a mischievous grin, devised strategies to bully and mock his classmate. The glow of the computer screen reflected in his eyes as he schemed, oblivious to the impact of his actions on others.
In a sudden twist of events, Jack's attention was drawn to a piece of paper resting on his table. "What the hell?" he thought. "What could it be?" The boy carefully approached and unfolded it.
