The Fall and Rise.

New beginnings, Old struggles

Amara Aria Avalon( Mara)

The morning sun painted the streets of Kingston in warm hues as Amara quickly hurried along, my  heart pounding with nervous anticipation. The weight of her backpack felt heavier than usual, as if laden with the expectations of her family and the daunting challenges that awaited her at St. Anne's High.

Her home, which nestled in a bustling neighborhood, was a haven amidst the chaos of the city. Living with her Auntie Jen, and her two daughters Amara two younger cousins that she loves so much (jasmine being only 4)and (Clare being 10) and her sister, (Leila Abigail Avalon 19). She couldn't help but found solace in her shared laughter with them and the comfort of routine. But beneath the surface, tensions simmered, invisible threads pulling taut with unspoken words and buried emotions.

As she entered the kitchen, the scent of frying plantains greeted her, mingling with the sound of sizzling ackee. Auntie Jen, a pillar of strength with a warmth that enveloped all who crossed her path, flashed her a reassuring smile. "Morning, mi love. Breakfast's almost ready." -Auntie Jen said

Amara -"Morninggggggg auntie smelling really nice in ere mon"mustering a smile of her own, through the  nerves that churned in her stomach . She glanced over at Leila, her older sister, who sat at the table with her laptop propped opened in front of her, seemingly lost in another world. The distance between them felt like an unbridgeable chasm, a silent reminder of the growing divide that strained our relationship. She opened her mouth to speak cause she didn't want to hear that she didn't " Goodmrn Leila" she said in which her sister just replied with just  a "morning" but she took that as progress tbh cause yesterday they weren't speaking at all.

She smiled as saw her plate "you did a big one today man auntie" - Amara
Auntie Jen - "lol girl did affi wake and mek uno sumu a uno fuss day bck cya afford fi uno guh pan hungry belly"
laughing  at her words as she quietly ate her breakfast. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter, a fresh start at St. Anne's High. Yet, the thought of navigating unfamiliar hallways and facing judgmental gazes sent a shiver down her spine.

After a quick goodbye to Auntie Jen , she headed out the door with her two little cousin in front .The walk to the bus stop was quite exciting because her little cousin Jasmine put on a show for her , but still  the cacophony of Kingston's streets fading into the background as her mind raced with worries and doubts.

Boarding the bus, she  found a seat by the window with her cousins right by her side as she settled, Amara couldn't help but stare out at the passing scenery, lost in thought. The journey to St. Anne's felt like a journey into the unknown, a leap of faith into a world where she was an outsider, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks.
.............30minutes later.................................

As the bus pulled up to the imposing gates of St. Anne's, her pulse quickened. The sprawling campus loomed before me a maze of classrooms and corridors where she would navigate the treacherous waters of adolescence. With a deep breath, she stepped off the bus and into the unknown quietly whispering a prayer to God.

Navigating the hallways proved to be a daunting task, each turn revealing a new challenge. Faces blurred into a sea of strangers, their whispered conversations and furtive glances leaving . She clutched her backpack tighter, willing trying to blend in, just to become invisible amidst the throng of students.

But fate had other plans.

As Nadine hurried through the bustling hallways of St. Anne's High, her mind buzzing with the excitement of a new school day, she rounded a corner and nearly collided with a girl she hadn't seen before. She was very short to say but a bit taller than her , with a look of nervous anticipation in her eyes, her backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Oops, sorry about that!" She exclaimed" see y them seh uh fi watch weh yaa guh lol anyway I'm Nadine."

Her eyes widened in surprise as she returned my smile. "Hi Nadine. I'm Amara. Nice to meet you."

Nadine noticed the uncertainty in her voice, the way she seemed to shrink back slightly as if unsure of herself. She felt a pang of empathy, remembering her own first day at St. Anne's not so long ago.
She decided to make her feel welcomed "Girl no need fi worry it ago be arrite you just scared because a you first time but everything ago turn out just fine"

Amara chuckled a bit, well that seemed to ease some of the tension in the air, because they were chatting like old friends, sharing stories and laughter as they walked together. Amara's presence brought a sense of warmth and familiarity, a welcome addition to our little group.


As they walked together, amara couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. Perhaps, with Nadine by her side, she could most definitely find my footing in this unfamiliar world. Perhaps, despite the odds, hopefully she will be able to ccarve out a place for herself   at St. Anne's.

Nadine and Amara navigated the crowded hallways together, they rounded a corner and Amara bumped into a tall, graceful girl with a warm smile.
Nadine - " girl it come like bumping into people a yuh specialty nosa mon"
She couldn't help but laugh because it was now her second time bumping into someone.

Just then, a familiar voice chimed in from behind them. "Nadine , there you are!"

We turned to see a man approaching, his warm smile mirroring my dad's own too. "Mr Robert!" Nadine exclaimed, stepping forward to greet him.

Uncle Robert enveloped Nadine in a hug before turning to Amara with a smile. "Amara waaa gwan!!!. Me tell nadine fi mek sure she look out fi uu a deh school yaa ino and nuh mek nobody trouble uu"

Amara actually felt a surge of gratitude towards Uncle Robert. But Despite the nerves that still fluttered in her stomach, his words offered a sense of reassurance. She smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you, Uncle Robert and a Long time me nuh see you ino member the Christmas money uu promise me uncle me still a wait pan it"
Uncle Robert - " lol Easter uu get it" he laughed then said his goodbyes to them cause they had to go to class now.

As they walked together, Nadine shared stories of her childhood antics and adventures. She actually found herself drawn into their lively conversation, the tension of the morning fading away as laughter filled the air.

By the time they reached their  homeroom, amara felt a sense of kinship with her newfound companions. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, she knew that she wouldn't be facing them alone.

As they parted ways because amara had a different class from nadine so she won't be seeing her until lunch,Nadine flashed her a reassuring smile. "See you later, Amara. Hang in there, alright?"

She couldn't help but smile , feeling grateful for the warmth and support of her new friends, and the guidance of Uncle Robert. With Nadine  by her side, perhaps she
could navigate the tumultuous waters of St. Anne's High after all.

Further down I will introduce more characters.
Hope you enjoyed.🫂❤️
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