School

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A week had passed since the unforgettable night of the concert and Taylor's announcement. Life had started to settle into a new rhythm for Aria. She felt more at home than she had in a long time, and Taylor was the supportive, loving figure she had always longed for.

This morning, Aria stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down her new school uniform. Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was her first day at school in Nashville, and she wasn't sure what to expect.

Taylor appeared in the doorway, smiling warmly. "You look great, Aria. Ready for your big day?"

Aria nodded, though her stomach fluttered with anxiety. "I think so."

Taylor walked over and gave her a reassuring hug. "You'll do great. Just be yourself. And remember, I'm just a phone call away if you need anything."

Feeling a bit more confident, Aria grabbed her backpack and followed Taylor to the car. As they drove to school, they talked about everything and nothing, the conversation helping to ease Aria's nerves.

When they arrived, Taylor walked her to the entrance, giving her one last hug before Aria joined the throng of students heading inside. She took a deep breath and stepped into the bustling hallway, her senses bombarded by the sounds of lockers slamming and students chatting.

Aria's first class was English, and as she found a seat, she noticed a girl with curly red hair and bright blue eyes sitting next to her. The girl smiled warmly.

"Hi, I'm Zara," she introduced herself.

"Hi, I'm Aria," she replied, feeling a bit of her anxiety melt away.

Throughout the day, Aria found herself meeting new people. In math, she sat next to Celeste, a girl with long dark hair and a quick wit. The three of them—Aria, Zara, and Celeste—clicked almost instantly, sharing laughs and stories as they navigated their classes together.

During lunch, they found a spot in the cafeteria and were soon joined by Finn, a tall boy with a friendly smile. He introduced himself and his best friends, Ezra and Felix, who were dating Zara and Celeste respectively. Aria felt welcomed into their group, enjoying the easy camaraderie and shared jokes.

However, the first day of school wasn't entirely smooth. In gym class, Aria encountered Juliet, Stephanie, Clover, Oriana, Asher, Jasper, and Milo. They were a group of kids who seemed to have a knack for picking on others. Juliet, with her icy blonde hair and sharp eyes, seemed to be the ringleader.

As Aria was changing in the locker room, Juliet sauntered over with her entourage. "Hey, new girl," Juliet sneered. "Nice outfit. Did your mommy buy it for you?"

Aria ignored the comment, but Juliet stepped closer, blocking her way. "I'm talking to you, freak."

Stephanie laughed, adding, "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

Aria took a deep breath and tried to push past them, but Asher tripped her, sending her sprawling to the ground. The group erupted in laughter as Aria scrambled to her feet, her face burning with humiliation.

"Watch where you're going, loser," Jasper mocked, giving her a shove.

Aria managed to escape the locker room, her heart pounding. She kept her head down during gym class, trying to avoid further confrontation. By the time the final bell rang, she felt exhausted and defeated.

She met up with Zara and Celeste after school, forcing a smile. "How was your first day?" Zara asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

"It was... okay," Aria replied, not wanting to burden her new friends with her troubles.

Taylor Swift daughterWhere stories live. Discover now