how dare he?

Chapter one - Isabella

November 5, the Year 2025

It all started on June 5. Maya got a diary as her seventeenth birthday gift from her mom. She hasn't opened it or even touched it before. She was mad because most girls her age got cars for their birthdays, and she got a diary.

Her mom said it would be a great way to handle and express her emotions and feelings. Maya yelled at her and slammed the door on her.

"What a brat I was."

In Maya's diary: "I decided to start writing in this diary because that's what mom wanted me to do. She passed away five months ago. She got hit by a car the day after my birthday. She had told my father that she was going to find a better gift for me. She was calling me to ask what I wanted as a gift. I didn't answer on purpose. That's when it happened, that's when she got hit. I will never forgive myself."

Her dad has been ignoring her for months. He can't kick her out yet. So, until she turns eighteen, she has a place to stay.

Her brother has been acting exactly like her dad. Most of the time, he ignores her or yells at her.

Grandma and grandpa don't think it's her fault at all. They always get into arguments with her father. Her brother blames her for that too.

"Sometimes I wish it was me who got hit by a car and not mom. She deserved a better daughter."

Maya's mom Isabella Francis was such an angel. She had a big heart and would listen to your problems, no matter how tired she was.

She worked as a firefighter. Isabella saved people in need every single day by putting herself at risk.

"I wish I were more like her, brave, beautiful, confident, and grateful."

Things aren't going well for Maya in school either. Before Isabella's death, she was an A student. Now she can't even focus. The whole lesson, she thinks about her mother and what would happen if she was more grateful for her gift that day.

"Would she still be alive?"

Bullying is even worse. If people made fun of her for her looks before, now they laugh at her, saying her mom's death was her fault. Not even teachers want to look in her face.

Her favorite teacher Ms. Anna Smith has been her mom's best friend since kindergarten. She is acting kinder since Isabella passed away. It's not a bad thing, but why did her behavior change so suddenly?

"I feel like she knows something."

In Maya's diary: "It was June 2 when Ms. Anna came over. Mom didn't look elated, which was strange since they were almost like sisters. Anna greeted us with a massive smile on her face. She brought me a gift since my birthday was coming up soon.

My mom, my dad, and Anna went into the office and locked the door. Dad always tells me not to get nosy, but this time I couldn't help it. I put my head on the door, trying to hear what was going on inside. All I could catch was arguing."

Isabella told Anna:

"I don't have the money at the moment. I'll pay you back soon. I promise." Anna told her if she didn't get her money soon, something unfortunate would happen to Isabella and her family.

"Was that a threat?"

Maya couldn't believe it.

"Was she the reason for my mom's death? Did she kill her?"

She had many questions and nobody to answer them. She knew she'd have to investigate my mom's death by herself.