Beneath the Surface

Song for the chapter: Marina by Teen idle

Miley

And Esmeralda rode into the sunset with her Prince Charming. The End.

How many times have I read this story? Probably a million times. Esmeralda is so lucky. I wish I had her life.

I get off my bed and head towards my reading table to return the novel I've just finished.

I stop by my mirror and stare at my reflection. "I guess I haven't lost any weight. In fact, I think I've gained some," I sigh, looking away from the mirror, embarrassed at my failed attempt to lose weight.

"Miley Camila Morales!" my mum's voice echoes from the kitchen. "If you don't hurry up, you're going to be late!"

"I'm almost done, Mum!" I yell back. "Okay, Miley, relax. It's just school. It's gonna be fine. Ahh, who am I kidding?"

I brush my long black hair and tie it back with a scrunchie. I hurriedly put on a purple t-shirt, an asymmetric skirt, socks, a pair of sneakers, and, for the finishing touch, my glasses. Okay, I guess I'm ready.

I head downstairs to the dining room and see my mum dishing out fried eggs from a pan.

"There you are, chica. Breakfast is ready."

"Thanks, Mum, but I'm not hungry," I say, opening the fridge.

"Oh, that's alright. I was hoping we'd have breakfast together. It's been a while." I shut the fridge and face my mum. I'm so envious of her. Unlike plus-sized me, my mum is skinny, with the perfect body, pretty brown eyes, and beautiful long black hair which is the only thing I inherited from her. It's hard for people to believe I actually came out of her.

"Have you seen my rainbow-patterned sweatshirt?" I ask, changing the topic.

"Yeah, it's over there on the couch."

"Thanks." I head into the living room and pick up my sweatshirt. "I'll head out now. Bye, Mama." She nods and picks up her phone.

"Bye, chica." I nod back and walk out of the house.

Walking to school is actually fun. I have time to talk to myself and imagine different scenarios in my head coming to life. Plus, I get to pass by Mr Walter, a nice old man who lives just across the street. I helped him clean his yard once, and he's been forever grateful.

"Hey, Mr. Walter!" I yell and wave at Mr Walter, who's sitting outside his house as usual, on his rocking chair.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Morales? Call me Walter!"

"I'll try, Mr. Walter!" He smiles and shakes his head.

"Have a lovely day at school."

"Yeah, I'll try to do that. You too, have a lovely day, Mr. Walter," I say before walking away.

I arrive at school and sigh. Images of last year flicker through my brain. It's a mystery how I've survived this long. "Give me strength, God," I whisper under my breath. I lower my head as I walk into school and head straight to my locker.

"Ah, there you are," I smile as I take out one of my novels from my locker. The Invasion of Thornhill Tower, how I've missed you.

"Yo, Miley!" someone yells, slamming my locker shut.

"David!?"

"What? Why are you so surprised to see me?"

"I dunno, maybe because you don't always show up on the first day."

"Miley, Miley, Miley, it's a new year, meaning a new David," she says, taking off her shades.

"Yeah, right. Why are you really in school?"

"Well, according to school rules and regulations, and some other nonsense Principal Detroit was blabbing about to my dad, I can't miss school on the first day without a valid reason, which is so not fair," she says, leaning on the lockers.

"I think the principal is right."

"Oh no, no. I'm just gonna stop you there. Do not lecture me, please."

"Oh, sorry, David."

"Yeah, yeah. So... what're you doing tonight?" she asks, rummaging through her backpack.

"Oh, same old, same old."

"Wait," she says, holding up her hand. "Don't tell me-you're gonna read another novel, aren't you?"

"Yes, yes, I am. Actually, there's this new book I-"

"Save it! I don't wanna hear about it," she says, brushing her braids out of her face. "Seriously, Miley, when are you gonna wake up from your fantasies and step into the real world?"

"But I am in the real world."

"No, you're not. Okay, when was the last time you went to a party, got drunk, or did crazy shit?" I open my mouth to speak but close it when I realize I haven't done any of the things she's mentioned. "See? None."

"But it doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does! We're teenagers, and this is senior year-our last year here. We're supposed to do crazy shit, but you, my friend, prefer to hide in your room and read about cringe-worthy fictional people falling in love, which is lame."

"But it isn't. It's actually nice." The bell rings, indicating our first period. Students start leaving the hallway for their classes.

"Well, Miley, I've got Geo. See you later."

"Bye, David."

I watch my best friend leave on her skateboard, trying hard not to bump into the other students. Well, I've got to get to class.

Ah... English literature, my favorite subject. It's the only thing that brings me joy in this school, other than David.

"Alright, class, that'll be all for today. I'll be expecting those essays in two weeks. I think that's enough time," Miss Hilda says.

I cannot wait to start my essay-it'll be so much fun. The bell rings, and one by one, we all exit the classroom. I try to find my way through the crowd without bumping into anyone.

"Mindy!" someone yells. I stop walking and freeze immediately. I recognize the voice.

"Minne? Marvel? Or is it Miles? Remind me, what's your name again?"

"It's Miley," I say quietly.

"What was that?" He moves closer. I'm practically trembling. "Speak up. I can't hear you."

"Ah, Miley Morales, my favorite person. Say, how were the holidays?"

"They were alright, Cody," I reply. He places his arm over my shoulder.

"Come on, Morales. If you want me to hear you, you've gotta speak up. I hate it when you whisper."

"I'm sorry, Cody."

"That's a good girl," he says, patting my head. "I need your help, Morales."

"With what, Cody?"

"The essay Miss Hilda asked us to write. I need you to do it for me and a few of my friends."

"By a few, you mean how many?"

"It's just six of us."

"Six!" How does he expect me to write six essays plus my own?

"Is that a problem, Mindy?" His grip on my shoulder tightens, a clear warning.

"No, no, it's not."

"You'll have them before the deadline?" I nod slowly. "Now, that's what I like to hear," he says, taking his arm off me. "I'll be expecting you, Morales," he says and walks away, leaving me shaking to the bone.

Goodness, he's scarier than last year. And bigger. But he isn't half as scary as Gabriella. She's terrifying. I look at the time on my phone. I'd better hurry.

School is finally over after a long day and I'm outside with David, who's desperately trying to convince me to attend some stupid party. Who throws a party on the first day of school?

"I'm telling you, Miley, the party is gonna be sick! You have to come."

"I wish I could-"

"No!" she cuts me off. "Don't give me that book crap."

"It's not that, David. It's just... I won't fit in."

"Oh, God. Seriously, Miley? Again with that stuff? How many times do I have to tell you-"

"Hello, Fiona," Gabriella suddenly appears, nearly giving me a heart attack. She looks gorgeous as always, with her flawless skin, curly blonde hair, deep blue eyes, full lips, and perfect body. She's the kind of girl every guy would die for. She'd so win Miss Universe if she entered a pageant.

Next to her are her besties, Neesy and Luna. They're also pretty like her, but Luna is one hell of a bimbo.

"Oh, fuck off, Gabriella," David spits.

"Why do you have to be so mean to me when I come around, David?" Gabriella asks, brushing her curls away from her face.

"I dunno, maybe it's because you remind me of the Wicked Witch of the West."

"Ah, very funny, David. I love your sense of humor. And hey, isn't this the first day? Why are you still in school?"

"Why don't you mind your business?"

"Woah, easy, Tiger. Why do you have to be so feisty all the time? Besides, I came here for Fiona, not you."

"Her name's Miley. Tell her, Miley," David says, glaring at Gabriella.

I just watch in awe as the two girls glare at each other.

"I know, but she looks more like a Fiona," Gabriella smirks, and I look away, embarrassed.

"You better take that back," David steps closer as if she's about to hit Gabriella, but I stop her.

"I got this," I whisper. David nods and steps back.

"Hi, Gabriella. Can I help you with something?"

"Oh, darling, what could you possibly help me with? I just came to let you know that your torture continues this year," she smirks and looks over at David.

"Bye, David," she says and sashays away. Well, that was a close call. At least she didn't hit me this time.

I notice David glaring at me, and I turn to face her.

"What?"

"When are you going to stand up for yourself? I mean, that was bullshit, Miley. She can't talk to you like that."

"And yet she does," I say, adjusting my glasses.

"You know, sooner or later, I'm gonna tell your mom about all this."

"No, you won't."

"Yes, I will. Gabriella can't keep treating you like this! Oh, okay, is it until she kills you?"

"She's not going to kill me, David," I sigh and look at the sky. "It's a process everyone in high school goes through."

"Do you see me going through it?"

"Okay, maybe not everybody."

"She's been making you miserable since we were kids, Miley. I don't want her to hurt you. You've gotta tell someone. They might help you."

"David, I'll be fine. This is our last year here. It'll all be over soon."

"A lot can happen in a year, Miley. I don't want to see my best friend in a casket."

"That is not going to happen. I'll be fine," I reassure her.

David sighs and picks up her skateboard. "Come on, I'll walk you home," she says, walking ahead of me.

How do I even tell her that Gabriella's not my only bully? I'm worried for myself, but what can I do? It's just the way things are, I guess.

---

"You should really consider redecorating your room. All these colors... Are too bright" David says, staring at the stickers on my wall.

"I think my room's pretty like this."

"I think it looks like Teletubbie world." She jumps on my bed and sighs.

I take out my notebooks and textbooks.

"Hey, do you think your mom will make those tacos I'm obsessed with?"

"Tacos are for Fridays, David. And today is Monday," I reply.

She groans and kicks a pillow off my bed. "I'm hungry."

"You always are," I say, giggling.

"I'm so bored."

"You could try studying."

"Really, Miley? It's the first day of school. We don't even have, like, tests or anything till... I dunno."

I smile and look back at my book. Despite all the hell I go through, David always finds a way to make me smile. She's like my ray of sunshine, and I love her. Well, it's time to get started on those essays.

---

"Oou, I think you've got new neighbors," David says, and I turn to face her. She's literally sticking her head out my window.

"What're you doing?"

"Come see!" I walk towards her, and she points at a truck offloading stuff.

"Oh wow, a truck. How fascinating," I say sarcastically.

"Let's go say hi."

"Why?"

"Because it's the neighborly thing to do, duh."

"You go ahead. I'm not going."

"Why do you always have to be like this?" A car parks near the truck, and a man and woman get out. "Looks like they're a couple." Another car pulls up, and this time a boy gets out. I can't really see his face, but he has brown hair. "They have a kid. Do you think he'll come to our school?"

I stare at the boy, whose eyes are fixed on his phone.

"Who knows, David? Who knows?"

---

Heyy, it's Lamiii again with a new story. I hope you like it! Please don't forget to vote and tell me what you think in the comments section. Also, feel free to check out my other book, 'Hi, I'm Kaiya Nancie.' If you haven't read it, I promise you'll love it. Byeee!

💙 *Lamiii