𝗨𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗 (𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘)

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗨𝗘

I AVERT MY GAZE and find myself standing at the end of the path that led to the school. Just a few steps more٫ and I'd be able to reach the entrance.
I stare for a little longer٫ patting down my sweater in the meantime. Then I let my hands fall back beside me as I continue to stare٫ and a thought crosses my mind.

Wow٫ so this is it. Isn't it?

Right. I'm standing right here in front of one of the most popular schools in the city. And its a lot bigger than I thought. Just looking at it makes me want to go back home and crawl back into my tiny little comfort space. But its too late for that now.

I stay in place with my gaze still on the sun that's barely rising above the school's roof. I hear the distant chatter of students walking past me on their way to the school٫ and feel some arms brush against me as they pass by. Some of them almost shove me out of the way. They either don't see me standing right in front of them or they're too busy to notice I'm there. Or٫ they could care less. Its most likely the third choice.

I let out a sigh and after a moment of holding myself back٫ I finally decide to let go of most of my worries and step on forth. I take one step forward and then another٫ until I start speedwalking my way to the school like an idiot because the bell already rung and-

Great٫ I'm late.

Just on the first damn day.

So how did I get here? Well٫ it all started one day when I was in my room. My little cousin was making noise in the room beside mine٫ so I listened to some loud music to block out the sounds coming from her room. And٫ next thing I know٫ I hear a scream.

A scream so loud that I hear over my music٫ and instantly get out of my seat to reach the living room where my aunt was. I found my little cousin there too٫ and we both approached my aunt who was on the ground-crying? laughing? How the hell would I have known?

But then we saw the look she had on her face before either of us could help her up٫ and we went frozen on the spot.

It's been a while since anything got this kind of reaction out of her. And we weren't sure if we were ready for the news she was about to tell us.

It was early in the morning and a couple of hours passed since we arrived at the airport back in Oaksven. I've endured the whole flight with an empty stomach٫ and I just wanted some food. Any food. We would've been at a restaurant right now٫ eating something refreshing or getting a drink...

If it weren't for my aunt who won't stop tripping on her way down the goddamn stairs. "Wait you two٫" she reaches her hand out and lets go of the railing on the stairs before falling on the floor again.

I turn my head and see my cousin struggling to help her up٫ so I make my way towards them. "Thank you٫ Darcy and Sasha. Sorry about that٫ I can barely keep up with these heels٫" she says٫ putting her arm around me for support. "You should be more careful mom. Do you need more help?"

"No٫ I should be alright. Thank you Darcy." She releases me and her feet wobble from side to side as she stands straight. "Are you sure you don't need any help?"٫ Darcy asks her again٫ sounding concerned. "Yeah٫ I'm fine. But enough about me٫ how are you two feeling?"

She finally stands upright with her hands off either of us and starts walking alongside us٫ keeping up with our pace. I stay silent the whole time that Darcy and Aunt Diane talk back and forth to each other. Their voices eventually start fading out when the sound of my suitcase rolling against the floor gets louder and louder in my ears-

"And you? Sasha? You haven't said a word since we left. Are you alright?" "I'm fine٫" I say.

Aunt Diane stares at me as if I still haven't given her an answer. I sigh. "I'm not fine٫ this sucks. I want to go home." "Of course٫ I was waiting for you to say that٫" she says٫ delightfully.