[𝕾𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖜𝖘 𝖀𝖓𝖛𝖊𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖉 Book 1: ] 𝖂𝖍𝖎𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕸𝖎𝖘𝖙

Chapter→1

"Ellena!"

Echoed the most grating voice I had ever endured.

"Ella! Wake up! We must pack our belongings. We're departing town today!"

My eyelids felt heavy as I stirred from my slumber, roused by the cacophony of my dear friend Ali's exhortations.

"But Ali... Mr. Collins still has ample time to traverse the border and arrive in our town. Who will escort us to the station?"

I mumbled, my voice laced with fatigue. Aliza Evergreen, my closest companion, exhaled wearily once she finished organizing our possessions.

Yes, I found myself at her residence that day, indulging in a sleepover after weeks of beseeching my father, who finally relented.

I couldn't discern why he consistently rebuffed my requests to visit Aliza's abode. He was excessively overprotective and authoritarian, whereas I, by contrast, was the town's most mischievous child.

Her grandparents, however, were the epitome of leniency.

Despite their laissez-faire attitude, she remained unwaveringly obedient, a trait I envied.

I often yearned to reside permanently in her home, under her carefree guardianship. Yet, reality remained immutable, impervious to my desires.

Then, unexpectedly, my father granted permission for me to depart town, relocating to the city at long last.

Somehow, I managed to attain respectable grades in my final examinations, though regrettably, the title of top student eluded me.

I was not the paragon of academic excellence my father anticipated.

As for Ali, she achieved the highest scores, ensuring our transition to the eleventh grade and the necessity of selecting a specialized academic track.

In our small town, the local schools admitted only a select cohort, determined by rigorous assessments designed to filter the most gifted and privileged students.

As for me, I merely studied to meet the minimum requirements for this examination. However, it was now time for a paradigm shift.

I habitually viewed life through a pessimistic lens, yet today marked the inception of a new chapter, one infused with optimism and the pursuit of self-improvement.

As for Ali's decision to accompany me, it stemmed from her grandparents' incessant urgings for her to depart the town and pursue a tranquil existence in the bustling metropolis.

Nevertheless, her filial devotion compelled her to remain, tending to their needs diligently.

Thankfully, our teacher, who coincidentally happened to be Ali's maternal cousin, reassured her, pledging to assume full responsibility for her grandparents' care.

Their bond was akin to that of best friends, fostering a sense of familial closeness.

Contemplating Ali's mother, Ms. Adeith, evoked a pang of sympathy within me.

She exuded a maternal warmth I had sorely lacked since my own mother's premature demise, a subject my father steadfastly avoided discussing.

I lacked the fortitude to broach the topic, harboring no recollection save for a solitary memento – George, my cherished teddy bear.

My mother, as I gleaned from a fragmentary entry in her diary, had bestowed upon me this tangible remnant of affection.

Unfortunately, the diary itself remained elusive, its pages obscured by time and manipulation, rendering certain passages indecipherable.

Engrossed in these ruminations, I was interrupted by Ali's persistent summons.

"Ellie! We're running late. Mr. Collins has arrived."

Exasperated, I begrudgingly responded, "I'm coming!"

Emerging from the shower, I hastily donned my attire, tending to my damp hair before securing it in a high ponytail.

Ali, meanwhile, opted for a more relaxed hairstyle, her locks cascading freely save for a butterfly-shaped clip adorning her mane.

Accompanied by Mr. Collins in his antiquated vehicle, we embarked on our journey, bidding farewell to loved ones with a tinge of uncertainty clouding our hearts.

Our first stop was to bid adieu to our revered mentor, Miss Hartley, a beacon of guidance throughout our formative years.

Her steadfast support and sagacious counsel had left an indelible imprint upon my life, fostering not only academic growth but also moral discernment.

Next, we paid a visit to Mr. Blackthorne, the venerable patriarch of our town, whose paternal affection had endeared him to us both.

Emotions ran high as we exchanged parting words, his tearful blessings serving as a poignant reminder of our maturation and the opportunities that lay ahead.

Returning home, we bid farewell to our families, bracing ourselves for the impending transition to the bustling city – a voyage fraught with uncertainty yet brimming with promise.