Chapter 1
A girl sat in a chair, staring at a cake with tears of fear streaming down her face. ‘Happy Birthday, Bella’ was written on the cake. Just moments before, the room had been filled with laughter, but now it was utterly quiet, except for the sound of a girl crying. ‘What are you doing? She’s your own daughter!’ a man yelled at the woman who had placed a knife to the girl’s neck.
Bella woke up from her sleep, panting heavily. She quickly opened the drawer and retrieved her inhaler. After inhaling, her breathing became stable. She lay back on the bed and thought of the day that had ruined her whole life - her 6th birthday, when her own mother had tried to kill her for financial gain.
As she stared at the ceiling, her alarm buzzed. She turned it off and went to the bathroom, cleaned up, and emerged drying her hair with a towel while wearing her school uniform. Standing in front of the mirror, she combed her short, fluffy hair, perfectly styled in a wolf cut. Then, she applied moisturizer to her smooth face and hands. Finally, she went to her study table, grabbed her bag, and left the room.
She slowly made her way down the stairs and went straight to the kitchen. ‘You’re awake,’ her maid said to her. ‘Hmmm,’ she hummed and sat down on the chair.”
Every two days, a woman in her 50s would swing by Bella’s place to help out with laundry, cooking, and cleaning.“why didn’t you eat the food I cooked for you last time? It’s gone to waste,” she asked, looking worried. “I wasn’t hungry” sje replied shortly.“You’re not eating enough, are you? You’ve lost even more weight. Skipping meals isn’t good for you.”
Bella just listened, scrolling through her phone. The woman put a plate of omelette, toast, and jam in front of her. “Eat all of this, okay? You need it.” Bella didn’t argue and finished the whole meal.
As bella got ready to leave, the lady said, “I’ll keep making food for you. Just make sure you eat it, deal?” Bella nodded and headed out. As she left the house, she noticed a moving truck parked next door and wondered if someone new had moved in.
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Every day, Bella would walk to school since it was near her house. As she reached the main gate, she saw Marco standing there, waiting for her. Marco was her best friend, and their friendship began in kindergarten.
Bella would play all alone in park every kid were sacred to go near her, every time she went some where kids would whisper around her “my mom said her mom was dangerous, we shouldn’t play with her she’ll hury us” a girl said a boy standing next to her agreed.
while Bella was playing alone, she tried to climb a swing, but someone pushed her from behind. She fell to the ground and looked back to see Alex, the bully, standing there. “I was getting on it, and you came in front of me!” Alex said. Bella just watched, “now she can’t even get up” the boy mocked bella felt humiliated, as the other kids made fun of her and laughed.
Just then, someone spoke up from the crowd, “If you try to bully her one more time, I’ll make sure you pay for it.” A boy emerged from the crowd, and Bella didn’t recognize him. “What can you do?” Alex asked mockingly.
The boy replied, “You know I’m an expert with a slingshot. I’ll shoot you in the eye, and then you’ll have to lose your eye. Everyone will call you ‘One-Eye Alex’.”
Alex laughed, “Ha! Show me!”
The boy took out his slingshot, pointed it at an apple tree, and asked, “See that apple?” In one swift motion, he shot the apple, and it fell onto Alex’s head. Alex winced in pain.
The boy warned, “See, I can also shoot you, so better back off.” Alex left, and the boy approached Bella, extending his hand. Bella took it, and he helped her up.
“Don’t worry, he won’t bother you anymore,” he said. “I’m Marco. What’s your name?”
“I’m Bella,” she replied.
Marco asked, “Would you like to be my friend, Bella?” Bella nodded in agreement.
Ever since then, Marco and Bella became best friends.
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Marco waved at her, and she waved back before walking to their meeting spot. “Hey, why are you late today?” Marco asked. “I’m on time, you’re just early,” Bella replied. “Oh, right. By the way, where’s Claire? She’s usually here by now, and school is about to start,” Marco asked. “Don’t worry, she’ll be on her way,” Bella said. “Well, I’m getting late. I have to go; my class is about to start.” “Ooh, you go. I’ll wait for her,” Marco said.
Bella entered the hallway, reached her locker, and opened it. Inside, she found a flower bouquet, a few chocolates, and a handwritten note. She took the note along with her books. As she passed the dustbin, she threw the chocolates and bouquet away. This almost happened every day - she would open her locker, find a handwritten note or chocolates, and then throw them in the dustbin.
She entered her classroom, went to her seat (the second-last bench), and sat down. Soon, the teacher entered, and class started. When lunchtime arrived, students poured out of the classroom, but Bella sat alone, staring out the window. She didn’t feel like eating, so she just sat there, watching people outside.
“Why are you here? We were waiting for you!” Claire’s voice echoed in the empty room, startling Bella a little. “Jeez, can’t you be a little quiet?” Marco complained. Claire was their friend, a chaotic and bubbly girl who became friends with them in middle school. “Why didn’t you come?” Claire asked in a higher voice, making Bella cover her right ear. “Stop it, Claire,” Marco said, annoyed. “Okay, alright, come on, let’s go,” Claire said. “I don’t want to go. You guys go.”
“Ha! Why are you so grumpy?” Claire asked. “Come on, let’s go,” Marco said. “If you aren’t coming, then we’ll stay with you here, and Claire will shout until your ears bleed,” Marco warned. Claire side-eyed him, knowing how much Bella hated noise. Bella had no other option but to leave with them.
As they walked together to the cafeteria, they took their food and placed it on their usual table. Marco and Claire sat across from Bella.
“I’m so excited for the weekend,” Claire said, bouncing up and down in her seat. “We should do something fun together!”
“Like what?” Marco asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t know... maybe go to the movies or try out that new ice cream place,” Claire suggested.
“That sounds like a great idea!” Marco exclaimed.
The three of them were popular due to their beauty and talent, and they were straight-A students. Claire enjoyed playing the piano. Last year, she won first prize in the school’s piano contest. She was pretty, chaotic, and almost knew everyone in school.
“Hey, Claire, how’s your piano practice going?” Marco asked.
“It’s going great!” Claire replied. “I’m thinking of performing at the school talent show again this year.”
“Great!”
Marco was talented in football and was the captain of the school team. He had blonde hair, and his attractive feature was his freckles.
“Hey, Marco, how’s football practice?” Bella asked.
“It’s intense,” Marco replied. “We’re gearing up for the big game next week.”
Meanwhile, Bella was the most popular amongst her group. She had almond-shaped eyes, plump lips, and a button nose. She liked reading books. She excelled in sports, but due to her illness, she couldn’t play as much as she wanted to because she had asthma. She was also popular for her intelligence she had won two prize in maths competitions.
“Hey, Bella, what’s new with you?” Claire asked.
The three friends continued chatting and laughing together, enjoying each other’s company.
As they finished their lunch, Marco glanced at his watch. “Guys, we should get going.We don’t want to be late for our next class.”
Claire sighed. “Okay, fine. But can we please walk slowly? I don’t want to rush.”
Bella nodded in agreement. As they strolled through the hallways, Marco turned to Bella and asked, “Hey, how’s your asthma been lately? Any attacks?“Bella shook her head. “No, I’ve been good. Just have to be careful and carry myinhaler with me always.“Claire frowned with concern. “We’re always here for you, Bella. If you need anything, just let us know.”
Bella nodded to them
And with that, the three friends continued on to their next class.
The next class was geography which marco and bella had together. And Claire headed to her on their way. As the day went on they continued taking classes and learning new things and just like that the day passed.
As the day ended, they all came to their meeting spot at the gate entrance. “I’m so tired,” Claire said. “Me too,” Marco said. The light from the sun scattered through the atmosphere, creating a range of colors and hues in the sky. The sky was painted in orange and pink colors. “Okay, guys, bye! I’m leaving,” Bella said. “What, you’re leaving already? I thought we would go to the karaoke or play some games,” Claire said. “But you just said you were tired,” Marco said to Claire. “Aah, yeah, I am, but fun should never stop.”
“I’m tired today. Let’s do this another time,” Bella said, already feeling too tired.
“Okay, but this weekend we must do something, and you have to agree,” Claire said.
Bella nodded. They all bid farewells and left for home.
Bella was walking back to her home, feeling too tired. All she wanted was to lay in a tub full of water and relax.
On her way, she noticed that the light of the next-door house was on. She thought that someone must have moved in.
She continued her walk and reached her house. She opened the front door, and the silence of the dark room welcomed her. She sighed and turned on the light.
She went straight to her room and entered the bathroom, where she took a one-hour bath. Afterward, she hopped into bed and started scrolling through her phone. She didn’t know when she dozed off to sleep.
