My Dear Annabelle

Chapter - 8 New Beginnings

The next morning, soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains in Kuea's room, slowly nudging him awake. He blinked, groggy and disoriented, the memories of last night still a haze.

Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes, trying to piece together what had happened. He remembered the darkness, the fear gripping his chest, and then... his mom.

The warmth of her embrace, the gentleness in her voice as she held him through the night.

A small smile tugged at his lips, though he was still unsure if it was real. For so long, Kuea had yearned for moments like that... moments where his mom wasn't just strict or demanding but kind, gentle, and comforting.

It was a side of her he hadn't seen in days, and the sweetness of it lingered, making his heart feel lighter than it had in a long time.

But the confusion remained. Why had she changed now? Had something clicked for her? Or was it just a fleeting moment of softness, bound to disappear as quickly as it had come?

Kuea pushed the thoughts aside as he realized today was the day his suspension ended. He had to go back to school. His heart sank slightly at the thought.

School meant facing everyone... his classmates, teachers, and worst of all, his bullies. The memory of the chemistry lab incident flashed through his mind.

The tension, the shouting... but also the strange blankness he felt afterward. He still couldn't fully remember what had happened, only the flashes of anger, of someone pushing him too far.

For a brief moment, his stomach twisted with worry about what might happen today. He thought of Sand, Bee, Tay, and Joe... the ones who had made his life miserable for years.

He'd have to face them again. But then, he thought about his friends... Diao, King, Uea and Lian.

The thought of Lian, always there to support him, made his nerves settle. And Lian's family, who had always made him feel like he belonged. They were his safe place.

With that comforting thought, Kuea dragged himself out of bed and started to get ready. As he slipped into his school uniform, his mind flickered between nervousness and hope.

He didn't know how the day would go, but the memory of his mom's comforting words from last night gave him a small spark of courage.

When he was ready, he descended the stairs, his footsteps slow and hesitant. His eyes landed on the dining room, where Riya sat at the table, her laptop open in front of her, a cup of coffee steaming gently at her side.

Kuea paused at the bottom of the stairs, unsure. The air between them still felt delicate, like something fragile and new that could break if he moved too quickly.

Should I go near? Or would it be awkward again? His heart raced, unsure of what to do, when suddenly, Riya looked up and met his eyes.

"Good morning, Kuea," she said softly, her voice carrying a lightness he wasn't used to. There was a hint of a smile on her lips, though it was tinged with uncertainty.

It was clear she didn't quite know how to bridge the gap between them either, but she was trying.

"Morning, Ma," Kuea replied, his voice quieter than usual. He hovered near the table for a moment, unsure of whether to sit or keep his distance.

But something about the way she was looking at him... open, vulnerable... made him feel braver than he had in days.

Riya hesitated for a second, her fingers tapping lightly on the edge of her laptop before she spoke. "So... how are you feeling? I mean, about going back to school?" She sipped her coffee, her eyes searching his face for any sign of how he was coping.