The Forgotten Daughter: Reclaiming Love

Chapter 19: Already in Senior Year

Third Person's POV

Time seemed to slip through Amelia's fingers like sand, the years passing in a blur of classes, friends, and memories that seemed to blend into one another. Before she knew it, she was standing on the cusp of her senior year, her last year of high school, and it felt both exhilarating and bittersweet. The halls of the school were filled with the energy of students who, like her, were ready to take on the world but also hesitant to leave behind the familiarity of their teenage years.

Her locker, marked with a sticker of a small piano, served as a daily reminder of her passion for music and her grandmother's encouragement. Amelia spun the combination lock and pulled the door open, revealing neatly stacked books and a few pictures of her and her best friend, Casey.

"Hey, top of the class!" a familiar voice chimed from behind. It was Casey, grinning as she leaned against the locker next to Amelia's. Her red curls framed her face, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Good morning, Casey," Amelia replied, smiling as she stuffed her bag into the locker and grabbed her English textbook. "You're in a good mood today."

"I am!" Casey confirmed, bouncing on her toes. "We're seniors, Amelia! Can you believe it? This is our last year here, and I can't wait to see what's in store for us."

Amelia nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nostalgia. "Yeah, it's crazy how fast time has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were freshmen, trying to find our way around this place."

Casey laughed, nudging Amelia playfully. "And look at us now, seniors with big plans and even bigger dreams. Speaking of dreams, are you still planning on applying to Juilliard?"

Amelia's eyes lit up at the mention of her dream school. "Yes, I am. I've been practicing every day, and I'm almost ready to submit my audition tape. I just hope it's enough."

"Of course, it will be!" Casey assured her, her voice full of confidence. "You're the best pianist I know, and Juilliard would be lucky to have you."

"Thanks, Cas," Amelia said, her voice soft with gratitude. She couldn't imagine attending high school without Casey's unwavering support and friendship. "What about you? Have you decided where you want to go?"

Casey shrugged, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I'm still figuring it out. Maybe somewhere with a good art program. I've been looking into a few schools on the West Coast. It'd be nice to get out of the Midwest and explore new places."

Amelia smiled, knowing that whatever Casey decided, she would excel. "That sounds amazing. I'm sure you'll find the perfect school for you."

As they chatted, the warning bell rang, signaling the start of the first period. The hallway buzzed with activity as students rushed to their classes, their voices echoing off the walls.

"We better get going," Amelia said, closing her locker and slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "Don't want to be late for Mr. Collins' class."

Casey nodded, and the two friends walked down the hallway, joining the stream of students heading to their classrooms. As they entered the English classroom, they found their usual seats near the front, where they could engage in the lively discussions that Mr. Collins encouraged.

Mr. Collins, a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard and a penchant for wearing colorful ties, stood at the front of the room, greeting each student as they filed in. He was one of Amelia's favorite teachers, known for his passion for literature and his ability to make even the most challenging texts accessible and engaging.

"Good morning, class!" Mr. Collins called out, his voice cheerful. "I hope you all had a great weekend. Today, we're going to dive into Shakespeare's 'Macbeth.'"