A Monday to remember
Chapter 1: A Monday to Remember Lily's P.O.V.
"Lily, wake up!"My mom's voice drifted through the small apartment, pulling me away from the wonderful dream I had been enjoying. I let out a long groan and buried my face deeper into my pillow. No. Just... no.
Why did mornings even exist?
More specifically, why did Monday mornings exist?
They always came with endless chores, sleepy eyes, and the depressing reminder that the weekend was officially over.
"Lily Johnson!" Mom called again, louder this time. "You're going to be late for school!"
School!
My eyes flew open.
"Oh my gosh!"
I shot upright so quickly that my blanket landed on the floor.
Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains covering my bedroom window, filling the tiny room with a warm golden glow. My bedroom wasn't anything special. The pale blue paint on the walls had started to fade, my bookshelf was filled with old novels I'd bought from secondhand stores, and my small wooden study desk was crowded with textbooks, notebooks, and neatly arranged pens.
It wasn't luxurious.
It wasn't even close.
But it was home.
And I loved it.
I hurried out of bed, nearly tripping over my slippers before finally slipping them on.
"Morning, Mom!" I called while rushing toward the bathroom.
"Hurry up!" she answered from the kitchen. "Breakfast is almost ready."
"I'll be quick!"
I closed the bathroom door behind me and stared at my reflection.
My messy brown hair looked like birds had built a nest in it overnight.
Dark brown eyes.
Sleepy face.
A girl who clearly wasn't ready to face Monday.
I splashed cold water across my face.
Instant regret.
"That's freezing!" I yelped.
At least I was awake now.
As I brushed my teeth, my mind wandered to school.
Starry Bay Academy.
Even after nearly a year of studying there, the name still sounded unreal.
Starry Bay Academy wasn't just another high school.
It was the most prestigious academy in the country.
Students from wealthy and influential families filled its classrooms. Some were children of famous actors, politicians, athletes, and business tycoons. Expensive cars lined the parking lot every morning, and designer bags were as common as school backpacks.
Sometimes I wondered if I truly belonged there.
Then I remembered why I had been accepted.
Not because of money.
Not because of family connections.
Because of my grades.
I had worked tirelessly throughout middle school, staying up late every night to study while other kids spent their evenings watching television or hanging out with friends.
When the scholarship results were announced, I cried so hard that Mom cried with me.
It had changed our lives.
Lauren's father had encouraged me to apply after hearing about my grades. Without his support and recommendation, I might never have had the courage to dream that big.
That scholarship meant everything.
It wasn't simply a ticket into an expensive school.
It was my future.
And I promised myself every single day that I would protect it.
No matter what.
After taking a quick shower, I changed into my neatly ironed school uniform.
I carefully buttoned my white shirt before putting on my navy-blue blazer with the academy crest embroidered over the left pocket.
My skirt stopped just above my knees, and my black shoes had been polished so many times they almost looked new despite their age.
I tied my long brown hair into a high ponytail.
"There," I smiled at my reflection.
"Much better."
As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, the smell of freshly toasted bread and scrambled eggs greeted me.
Mom was already dressed in her chef's uniform.
Her curly black hair was tied into a bun beneath her chef's cap, and despite the early hour, she still managed to wear the warm smile that always made me feel safe.
"Sit," she ordered, pointing toward the table.
"I'll just grab something at school."
She crossed her arms.
"Lily."
I sighed dramatically.
"Yes, Chef."
She laughed.
"That's better."
I sat down while she placed a plate of toast, scrambled eggs, and a glass of milk in front of me.
"You need energy if you're going to survive another school day."
"I know."
"And no skipping meals."
"I know."
"And don't spend all day studying without taking breaks."
"I know."
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Are you listening, or are you just repeating everything I say?"
I grinned.
"A little bit of both."
She shook her head before laughing softly.
"I raised quite the troublemaker."
"I learned from the best."
She pretended to look offended.
"Oh? So now you're blaming me?"
"Maybe."
We both laughed.
Moments like these were my favorite.
Life hadn't always been easy for us, but somehow, she always found a way to make our little home feel full of warmth.
I glanced around the apartment while eating.
It was small but spotless.
The old couch had been repaired more times than I could count.
The coffee table had a tiny crack running through one corner.
The curtains had faded after years of sunlight.
Still...
Every item inside this house held a memory.
Every corner reminded me of the sacrifices Mom had made.
When I was only a few months old, my father passed away after a tragic accident.
I never got the chance to know him.
All I had were photographs and the stories Mom loved telling me.
She always described him as kind, hardworking, and endlessly optimistic.
"He believed you could achieve anything," she'd often say.
Whenever I heard those words, I studied even harder.
Because I wanted to make both of them proud.
Mom noticed me staring at one of the framed family photos on the wall.
"You miss him today?" she asked gently.
I nodded.
"Sometimes I wonder what he would've been like."
She smiled sadly.
"He would've adored you."
"I wish I could remember his voice."
She reached across the table and gently squeezed my hand.
"He would be proud of the young woman you're becoming."
Those simple words filled my heart with determination.
"I'll make you proud too," I whispered.
"You already do."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
We simply smiled at each other.
Then Mom glanced at the clock hanging above the refrigerator.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"You're going to be late."
My eyes followed hers.
7:45 a.m.
"Oh my gosh!"
I quickly stuffed the last piece of toast into my mouth before grabbing my backpack from beside the couch.
Mom laughed.
"Slow down before you choke."
"I'm fine!"
"Liar."
She walked over with my lunchbox.
"You almost forgot this."
I slapped my forehead.
"I would've cried halfway through lunch."
"I know you would."
She placed the lunchbox inside my backpack before zipping it shut.
"Lily."
"Yes?"
"No matter how difficult things get... never stop believing in yourself."
I looked into her eyes.
"I won't."
She kissed my forehead.
"I'm leaving for work now."
"I love you, Mom."
"I love you more, sweetheart."
She grabbed her handbag and headed toward the front door.
I stood there watching until she disappeared outside.
The apartment suddenly felt much quieter.
Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my backpack.
"Okay, Lily," I whispered to myself.
"Let's survive another Monday."
I took one last look around the apartment before reaching for the doorknob.
"Time to go."
Just as my fingers touched the handle—
Ding!
A notification echoed through the quiet living room.
"Huh?"
I frowned and turned around.
My phone was lying on the couch where I had left it the night before after finishing my homework.
"Oh no..."
I hurried over and picked it up.
The moment the screen lit up, my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
16 Missed Calls
Lauren Jackson
"What?!"
My heart skipped a beat.
"I am so dead."
Lauren never called anyone sixteen times unless it was an emergency... or unless she was extremely angry.
Knowing Lauren...
It was probably the second one.
I immediately tapped her contact and held the phone to my ear.
She answered before the first ring could even finish.
"Finally!"
I pulled the phone slightly away from my ear.
"Good morning to you too."
"Don't 'good morning' me!" she snapped dramatically. "Where on earth did you dump your phone? I've been calling you forever!"
"I'm really sorry," I said, wincing. "I forgot it on the couch while I was getting ready."
"You forgot your phone?"
"Yes."
"You?"
"I know, okay? It's shocking."
She sighed loudly.
"I was already imagining all kinds of things."
I smiled.
"See? Deep down, you do care about me."
"Don't flatter yourself."
"But you do."
"I care because if you miss school, who am I supposed to copy chemistry notes from?"
I burst into laughter.
"So that's why."
"Exactly."
"I thought we were best friends."
"We are."
"You have a funny way of showing it."
She laughed.
"So... where are you now?" I asked.
"I'm almost at your street."
"What?"
"I'm counting the houses."
I blinked.
"...You're counting houses?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
"So you'll know how little time you have."
I couldn't help laughing.
"Lauren..."
"What?"
"You're impossible."
"I know."
There was a brief pause.
"I'm nine houses away," she announced.
"What?!"
"So unless you've suddenly developed the power of teleportation, you'd better get outside."
The call ended.
"Oh, crap!"
I shoved my phone into my pocket, grabbed my keys, locked the apartment door, and sprinted down the narrow path leading to the road.
The cool morning breeze brushed against my face as I ran.
Our neighborhood was already alive.
Children in uniforms walked toward nearby schools with their parents.
Street vendors arranged fruits and vegetables on wooden tables.
The smell of freshly baked bread drifted from the small bakery around the corner.
A woman selling fried bean cakes smiled as I rushed past.
"Morning, Lily!"
"Morning!" I called back without slowing down.
Just as I reached the gate, a white SUV pulled over.
The passenger window rolled down.
Lauren leaned out with one eyebrow raised.
"Took you long enough."
I flashed my most innocent smile.
"I'm here now."
"Get in before I change my mind."
I quickly climbed into the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt.
Lauren shook her head.
"You know, one day you're going to give me gray hair."
I looked at her perfectly styled black curls.
"You don't even have one gray hair."
"Yet."
I giggled.
Lauren Jackson had been my best friend since middle school.
Unlike me, she came from a wealthy family.
Her father owned one of the biggest construction companies in the city, while her mother was a fashion designer whose work appeared in magazines.
Despite growing up surrounded by luxury, Lauren had never treated me differently because I wasn't rich.
That was one of the many reasons I loved her.
She was loud, dramatic, sarcastic...
...and fiercely loyal.
As soon as she pulled onto the main road, she glanced at the digital clock on the dashboard.
"Eight-oh-five."
"What?"
I quickly checked my phone.
8:05 a.m.
My stomach dropped.
"Our first class starts at eight!"
"I know."
"We're late!"
"I noticed."
"Oh my gosh..."
I leaned back dramatically.
"We're finished."
Lauren chuckled.
"Relax."
"Relax? Mr. Barry is our first teacher today!"
"So?"
"So? He's terrifying!"
"He isn't that scary."
I stared at her.
"Lauren."
"What?"
"Last month he made three students stand outside his classroom because they arrived four minutes late."
"They deserved it."
"Four minutes!"
"They should've left home earlier."
I folded my arms.
"Whose side are you on?"
"My side."
I rolled my eyes.
She laughed so hard she had to slow down for a speed bump.
Outside the window, expensive shops and tall office buildings slowly gave way to the wealthy district surrounding Starry Bay Academy.
Luxury cars filled the roads.
Students wearing spotless uniforms climbed out of sleek black SUVs and sports cars.
Sometimes I felt like I had walked into another world.
"You know what?" Lauren suddenly said.
"What?"
"I have an idea."
I looked at her hopefully.
"Please tell me it doesn't involve getting expelled."
"It won't."
"Promise?"
"...Mostly."
I sighed.
"Lauren."
"Listen first."
"I'm listening."
"We don't go into school yet."
I blinked.
"What?"
"We stay in the car."
"...Go on."
"We wait until first period is over."
"...Go on."
"Then we casually walk into school like nothing happened."
I stared at her.
She smiled proudly.
"Well?"
"That's your plan?"
"Yep."
"That's not a plan."
"It absolutely is."
"It's called skipping class."
"It's called avoiding unnecessary embarrassment."
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"I cannot believe you."
"What?"
"I'm here panicking about my scholarship, and you're suggesting we deliberately miss class."
She shrugged.
"If we go in now, Mr. Barry will definitely punish us."
I hated admitting it...
She had a point.
"But skipping class is even worse."
"Only if someone finds out."
"They'll find out!"
"Not necessarily."
I stared out the window, thinking.
If I entered Mr. Barry's classroom now, everyone would stare.
He would probably lecture us in front of the entire class.
If we skipped first period...
No.
That was still wrong.
Right?
"Come on," Lauren said. "Think about it."
I sighed.
"I hate this."
"I know."
"I really, really hate this."
"I know."
"But..."
She grinned.
"...you don't have a better idea."
I remained silent.
Because I didn't.
"Exactly."
I groaned dramatically.
"Fine."
Lauren pumped her fist into the air.
"Victory!"
"Don't celebrate yet."
She laughed.
"I knew you'd come around."
"I only agreed because every other option sounds worse."
"Whatever helps you sleep tonight."
Soon the enormous iron gates of Starry Bay Academy appeared in the distance.
Even after seeing them every day, they still amazed me.
The academy looked more like a university than a high school.
Elegant stone buildings stood proudly behind perfectly trimmed gardens.
Fountains sparkled under the morning sun.
Tall trees lined the pathways, providing shade for students walking across campus.
The school crest gleamed proudly above the entrance.
Every time I looked at it, I remembered how fortunate I was to be there.
Lauren parked across the street beneath a large tree.
Neither of us moved.
Students continued pouring through the gates while teachers stood nearby greeting them.
I nervously tapped my fingers against my backpack.
"Are we really doing this?"
Lauren nodded confidently.
"We're really doing this."
I looked toward the entrance again.
Something about
today felt... different.
I couldn't explain it.
Maybe it was because we were already breaking the rules before first period had even ended.
Or maybe it was just one of those strange feelings that appeared out of nowhere.
Whatever it was, my heart wouldn't stop racing.
