Chapter 1: meet aria
Let me introduce myself—Hi, I’m Aria, an 11th-grade student. I’ve always been good at studies. You could say I’m a topper. But… I don’t have any friends. Not anymore. Not after the betrayal.
There was a time when I thought I had someone I could trust. She was my best friend—or so I believed. We laughed together, ate together, shared our dreams. But all along, she was just using me. For my money. For my name. For the fame that came from being “Aria’s friend.”
Behind my back, she spread the cruelest rumors—that I treated her like a slave. A slave. When I found out, my world shattered. I ended our friendship that very moment.
Since then, I’ve kept my distance. People show their true colors eventually—and I’ve seen enough.
But if there’s one thing I still hold close to my heart, it’s my family.
My mother—the queen of the fashion world. My father—a textile tycoon. They’re both powerful, respected, and... rarely home. Business always calls. Meetings, flights, parties. Still, I love them deeply. I long for those rare moments we get together. And today was one of those rare days.
It was their wedding anniversary, and for once, we were going to have breakfast together.
I rushed downstairs, my school bag swinging behind me. There they were—dressed sharply for yet another business trip. But this time, they were at the table, waiting for me. Smiling.
“So… when will you guys come back?” I asked, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice.
My mom reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “In a week, baby. What do you want? I’ll bring you something from Italy.”
I couldn’t help but be dramatic. “A big cheese wheel. Like the ones in cartoons.”
We all laughed.
“Princess, we’ll be back soon,” Dad said, standing up and adjusting his suit. “Don’t turn the house into a warzone while we’re gone. Be good.”
I saluted him with a grin. “Aye aye, Captain.”
They left. I went to school.
School is... a battlefield.
Every single day, I get into fights. Not because I want to—but because they push me. They’re jealous. Jealous of my SUV, my branded shoes, my designer bag. They say I’m arrogant. But they’ve never tried to know me.
One week later
Another fight. Another scratch. Another bruise.
I stormed into the house, furious, face burning with pain and embarrassment. But just as I closed the door—
Their voices.
They were home.
No, no, no.
If they saw me like this, I’d get a lecture. A long one. On behavior. On image. On how I “shouldn’t lower myself.”
I ran upstairs, bolting into my room, burying myself under my blanket just as the door creaked open.
“Princess? What happened?” Dad’s voice was soft, concerned.
“Nothing, Dad. I just want to sleep.” I kept my face hidden.
There was silence. I thought he left.
But then...
I peeked out—and there he was. Still in the room.
“What is this, Aria? You shouldn’t fight.”
“I wasn’t fighting! They started it. I just ended it.” My voice cracked.
He sighed, walking over to sit beside me. “Okay. I’ll take you to my friend’s farmhouse this Sunday. Just you and me. Some peace. Some time together.”
My heart fluttered.
Just me and Dad?
A rare smile crept onto my face.
Maybe… just maybe…
I could still be someone’s princess.
