A New Forever

It’s been hard the first week of getting settled into her new home—a huge mansion. Aila is struggling to live in this new house with her late mother’s old friend. She has a son whom Aila hasn’t met yet, and a husband who seems very kind so far. Aila stays in her room all day until her first day of school starts the next day.

“Aila, come down, you’re late for your first day of school.”

“Stop acting like that, Mya.”

“Like what? Sweetheart, you need to go; we'll talk after. Bye, have fun."

“Like I even could. I know no one here. I lived in New York, not by the stupid ocean. And stop acting like you’re my mom! You’re not! So leave me alone!” Aila yells, storming out of the house. I’m guessing he left already because I still haven’t seen him. God, I don’t even want to be here. I can’t wait to go to college and get away from all these memories. I miss my mother and father. Too bad they’re dead. Lucky me, being an orphan. Aila thought.

When she finally arrived at Rain High School, she looked around and slowly started to walk inside. People stared at her, and Aila looked down at the ground and walked faster towards the school entrance. But then she bumped into a hard, muscular back and was knocked to the ground. The students around her gasped and stepped back from her and the person she bumped into. Aila looked up after a second and guessed who was in front of her.

“Maybe don’t stand in the middle of the walkway, Declan,” Aila said, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, you seem to be spry. Are you in a bad mood? Because you might want to run back home to your mommy before I give you a lesson on what not to do around me. Only because I haven’t seen your face around here before, I’m guessing you’re one of those new kids in town.”

“Don’t talk about my mother!”

“Oh, why? Is she dead or something?” Declan says, laughing, as he looks at his friends.

“Leave me alone!” Aila says, choking on her words with unwanted tears bubbling up in her eyes.

“Awww, are you going to cry because I think you should go and cry in your mother’s arms like the baby you are.”

“Shut up!” Aila yells as she runs into the school to a bathroom. Tears are now streaming down her face as she tries not to hyperventilate. After a minute of trying to breathe, Aila finally manages to stabilize her breathing and her tears.

She goes to class, and the rest of the day goes by okay, with some occasional glances and murmurs about what happened that morning, until lunch.

Aila grabs her lunch and sits at an empty table alone. Then Declan walks over with his friend group. “Hey guys, the crybaby is sitting at our table." He laughs and looks at her. "So, I never got your name. What was it again?”

“Aila. And do you always target girls? Because I haven’t seen you go up to any guys. So, I take that as you harass girls, trying to humiliate them.”

“Eh, I do what I do for fun and for the school’s entertainment. So whatever pity party you’re trying to make isn’t going to work. Now, go sit somewhere else and not in our spot.”

“I don’t see your name on it, so I don’t think it has to be yours.”

“I’m sure your parents won’t like this attitude from you.”

“I’m sure yours won’t either.”

“Actually, my parents are rich and don’t care about what I do. So you’re wrong. I’m sure your mommy will be heartbroken to see you acting like this.”

“Don’t talk about my parents,” Aila says, tears starting up again.

“What, are they dead or something? Surely-”

“YES, THEY’RE DEAD! MY PARENTS ARE DEAD!!” Aila yells, her voice carrying across the room. Tears start to fall, and she continues. “They died two months ago. Now can you please stop talking about them?” Aila says quietly.

Declan looks at her, and something crosses his face that looks like regret, but it’s gone as soon as it comes.

“What’s your full name again?”

“W-why should you know? It’s not important to you. N-now can you please move out of the way so I-I can leave.” Aila says, choking on her words.

She throws her tray on the ground and runs out of the cafeteria. Declan turns around and looks at his friends. “Guys, I need to go do something. Sit down; I’ll be back in a minute.” He runs out of the cafeteria a minute later and runs after Aila.

“Aila, wait. I need to ask you some- oh, you’re right here.”

“Leave me alone, please. I want to disappear.”

“Come, let’s go outside and talk.”

“Why, you d-don’t even care. W-what’s in it for you? You’re just going to bully me more and make me cry for your satisfaction. So go on and insult me. Tell me I deserved to be an orphan.”

“Aila, is your full name Aila Ray River?”

“Yeah, why? How do you know that?”

“You’re the girl who just moved in with my family. My mother told me to be careful with what I said around you because it would bring back trauma. I didn’t know it was you. I’m sorry. I usually don’t ever say sorry, so if it sounds weird, that’s my bad.” He says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Why act like that only with me? How am I different from everyone else? Am I just an orphan with a sad background? Because you’re just pitying me right now because your mother told you to.”

“I-I don’t know. This is very awkward. I want to restart, maybe. Like-"

“Stop, just stop. Please stop. I-I want to be alone right now. I would rather be with my parents. This is all too m-much.” Aila says with tears running down her face. She gets up and runs out of the school into the courtyard.

Declan tries to grab her, but fails. Aila runs off campus and heads back to the place she is supposed to call home.

“Aila, please wait!” Declan yells.

Aila doesn’t stop, though; she keeps running. She gets to the mansion ten minutes later and rushes inside. She runs upstairs into the room that’s supposed to be hers.

“Aila, you’re supposed to still be in school. Are you okay?” Mya says.

“Leave m-me alone!” Aila yells.

“Sweetheart, can you tell me what’s wrong?”

“Stop acting like you’re my mom! Leave me alone! I’m not meant to be loved. I’m meant to be alone, and parish is my pain! I’m meant to be the orphan who doesn’t deserve anyone!”

“This is just your mind speaking. You’re only sixteen and a junior in high school. You have no reason not to be loved.”

“Yes, I do. I don’t have any family left because of the person who put an assassin on their heads. I only survived because my family hid my identity.”

“You’re alive because God chose you to be alive. You’re meant to be loved. Come here. Tell me what happened. Let me hold you and let you explain what happened.”

“Your why, no. None of that is true.” Aila says, stepping back to sit on the bed. She’s shaking her head with tears streaming down her face.

“Aila, can I sit down and hug you? You need- Oh.”

Aila stands up and runs into her embrace. They sit on the bed as Aila explains, through tears, what happened. The more she spoke, the angrier Mya got about her son’s actions. After a little bit, Aila tires herself out and falls asleep on Mya’s shoulder.

Mya slowly moves Aila to her lap and starts stroking her head.

Declan gets home and runs upstairs to Aila’s bedroom. “Aila- oh. Hi, Mom.” Declan says, not meeting her sharp gaze.

“I think we need to talk. Go downstairs and wait there for me.” Mya says, glaring at her son.

Declan nods and walks downstairs. Mya moves Aila under her covers and heads downstairs.

She steps into the kitchen and hits Declan across the head. “You deserve that. How did you not know who she was? Do you have any manners that we taught you? And what is this that I hear about bullying? I raised you better! You’re a disgrace to this family. How dare you treat a girl like that and make her cry. She was bawling when she got here, saying she didn’t deserve to be here and that she deserved to be with her parents instead! I am so disappointed in you!”

“Ma, I’m sorry-”

“No, don’t interrupt me! Let me talk! You have no right to treat her like that! You have no right to treat any girl, no, anyone like that! I am so mad at you, and we will not tolerate this! When your father gets home, he will teach you a lesson you will never forget! Treat a woman like that again, and I will kick you out of this house! I will erase you from this family if I need to and make sure never to let you back in! I- ugh. I will talk to you more about this later. When Aila wakes up, you will apologize and give her ice cream! You hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am. Sorry.”

“Now go! Before I decide to smack you across the face!”

Declan runs upstairs to his bedroom, but runs into Aila. She falls to the ground with a thud.

“Aila, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. At least I know who your parents are and that they actually do care about how you treat people.” She says with a slight smile.

“You heard all of that?” He says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yup.”

“Listen, I’m sorry about what happened today at school. And for bumping into you just now.”

“It’s okay, I guess. At least now I can report back to Mrs. Koslov when you bully someone. I could be your family’s unqualified spy.”

Declan chuckles and helps Aila up off the ground. He hugs her, which Aila didn’t expect. She hugs him back, and they walk back to their rooms, which are right across from each other.

“Hey, Declan?”

“Yeah?

“I was wondering if maybe you could wake me up tomorrow morning so we can walk to school together?”

“I don’t know. I think there might be some rumors if we walk in together. I can wake you up, though.”

“Oh, I get it. You’re the impossible-not-to-miss boy, and people would notice an ugly girl like me walking in with you.”

“Hey, I didn’t say that. And you’re not ugly. You need to be confident, you know. And we can walk to school together if you feel safer that way. I guess my reputation doesn’t really matter anymore. You’re more important than a dumb reputation.”

“Thanks, Declan. And can you make me breakfast too? Like pancakes or a bagel?”

“Sure. But only Pancakes. I can’t use a toaster anymore. I almost burned the house down last time.” He says with a laugh.

Aila laughs too and goes back into her room.

***

“Aila, wake up. Aila. Come on, sleepyhead. I made pancakes as you asked. Without burning the house down.”

Aila stirs and starts laughing. “You’re funny. I actually didn’t think you would make them. I thought you would make an excuse.”

“Haha. You’re cute. I mean, I-I never said that. Who said that?”

“Thanks, Declan. Now leave so I can get dressed.”

“Okay, geez. Someone woke up cranky.”

“Haha, yeah. I guess I am a little cranky.”

Declan leaves, and a few minutes later, Aila is downstairs.

“So, Declan. What grade are you in?”

“I’m a Senior, and I’m eighteen. How about you?”

“I’m sixteen, and I’m a Junior this year. I’ve always loved pancakes. My dad used to make pancakes every Sunday. It was practically a tradition. Until he… ”

She didn’t finish her sentence. She didn't need to. Declan already knew what she meant. He sighed, stepped closer to her, and hugged her.

“Sheesh, you’ve been really touchy after what happened yesterday,” Aila said. She felt a weird sensation in her stomach that she had never felt before.

“Sorry, I just feel really bad, and my dad came to my bedroom and smacked me across the face, which I deserved. I realize now how wrong I was. And how much I hurt you.”

“Oh, so that’s where that bruise on your face came from. Huh, yeah, you did deserve it.”

“Hey, you’re not supposed to say that.”

“Already did. Too late. Oh, look at the time; we gotta go.”

“No, we don’t. Aila! Don’t avoid me! Come here!” Declan ran over to her as she was trying to put on her shoes quickly. He started tickling her, and Aila laughed so hard she started to cry.

“Stop, stop. That tickles, stop, that tickles. Hahaha. Hey, I said stop. DECLAN!”

“Okay, okay, I stopped. Now come on, I’ll race you to school.”

“I feel like a kid again,” Aila says, laughing.

“Good, now come on. I’m sure your friends will be worried if you’re late.”

“Oh, uh, yeah. I bet they will be.”

I don’t have any friends. She thought.

Aila ran ahead of Declan, and he watched her with amusement. I’m glad her mind is off of what happened yesterday. God, I don’t want to see her cry again. Nor do I want Dad to hit me again. That was terrifying. He thought.

He watched as Aila fell and her face planted on the ground. “Aila! Are you okay? I would be worried if you weren't.”

“Declan, I’m never okay. And my face hurts now.” Aila crosses her arms and purses her lips.

“Oh, don’t give me that look. We’ve only known each other for two days, and you’re already acting like that?”

“Yeah, because I trust you now. From the way you’ve been apologizing nonstop, I trust that you’ve been telling the truth. Now can you tell me if the side of my face is messed up? It burns.”

“Oh, yeah. It is. It’s just a scrape, though. You’ll be fine. It won’t scare.”

“Oh no. People are going to think you did this to me. If we walk in together, they’ll think you hurt me.”

“Everyone thinks that way. It’s fine. It won’t change anything.” He says, smiling.

“It will for me. People will start to pity me. And I’m guessing there is a rumor now about how I’m an orphan. So yeah. Won’t look good on my part.”

“Oh, I didn’t think about that. Hey, if they do, then come to me. If they give you trouble, then come to me.”

“I probably won’t. You have that huge bruise on your face, remember? They’ll think we fought. Wouldn’t be surprised if they do. And I think I can handle a few boys or girls that are pestering me.”

“Okay, but-”

“Really, I mean it.”

“Okay, fine.”

***

When they finally arrive at school. People look at them, and then everyone starts talking. Declan’s friends run over. “Declan, what happened?” One says.

“Did you get in a fight?” Another asks.

“Nope, it’s nothing. I would rather not talk about it. Come on, let’s go to class.”

“Dude, are you okay? You seem off. You usually like to talk before class. And you walked in with that girl, and you were laughing with her, and not at her. What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing; leave it alone. Come on.”

They all walk to class, and so does Aila.

***

At lunch, Aila sits alone at a table. Declan is at his table with his friends and keeps glancing over at her, waiting to see if someone sits with her. No one shows, so Declan decides to sit with her.

“Dude, where are you going? Are you crazy or something? What’s wrong with you? You’ve been weird all day. Do you like her? Guys, I think he’s in love with that girl? Uh, what’s her name, right, Aila?” They watch as he sits down next to her.

Aila glances at him. “What are you doing, Declan? I told you not to sit with me.”

“No, you didn’t. You said not to interfere with anyone who bothers you. So this is perfectly fine. Besides, your friends aren’t sitting with you today.”

“I don’t have any friends.”

“Oh, well, you have me. I’ll be your new friend.”

“We live together.”

“So, you’re here till… uh. Well, I don’t know how long you’re here for.”

“Until I graduate, ding faud. Now when we get back, imma need your help with my homework. I don’t understand it.”

“Oh, umm. We can’t walk home together today. I’m going out with my friends. It’s this thing we do every Tuesday. Sorry. Ask my dad when he gets back. He’ll be able to help you.”

“Okay. Well, see you later. Thanks for sitting with me.”

***

After school, Aila walked back alone. She turned a corner and saw people standing in the alley, smoking. Aila never takes the alley, but today she needed to because of how much homework she had. The thugs all turned and looked at her.

“Oh, well, if it isn’t the pretty girl who just moved here. We’ve heard all about you, little orphan.”

“H-how do you know that?”

“Eh, how about we don’t answer that. I’m sure you’re ready for us. You seem different from the others we’ve.” He makes a gesture that Aila doesn't understand. He steps forward and grabs her by the arm.

“Stop, get off me!” Aila yells as he pushes her to the ground.

“Oh, you’re a fighter. Good, we like the struggle.” He says, and then he kicks her in the stomach.

Aila screams in agony, pain shooting through her. Declan, help me. It hurts, it hurts. She thought.

“Oh, you’re weak. Guys, let’s get her over with. She’s not worth it. Look at her, she’s all scrawny.”

“Oh yeah, I guess you’re right. Well, we might as well kick her and torment her. Look, she’s already crying.”

“I’m not! Leave me alone.” Aila screams. She kicks and thrashes in the hold of one of the guys. Then a sharp pain hits her again. It's sharper than before, and Aila is knocked to her side. All three of them are kicking her in the stomach and have no intention of stopping.

“Aila! Get away from her!”

“Oh crap, we gotta go, guys, we gotta go. RUN!”

It hurts, it hurts so bad. Aila thought.

“Aila, Aila, are you okay?”

“N-no. It hurts. My stomach, it hurts so bad.”

“Oh, my god. This is my fault; I should have gone with you. I’m sorry. Here, may I look?”

“Yeah.” Aila mumbles.

Declan squats down and lifts Aila’s shirt a little to see if she broke anything.

“God dang it. I’m sorry. Come here.” Declan pulls Aila into his embrace and hugs her. They sit on the ground for a while, just hugging each other until Aila’s sobs break the silence.

“I-I didn’t know w-what t-to do. It hurt so, so bad, and I-I tried so hard to fight b-back.”

“Breathe, Aila, breathe. You’re hyperventilating. I need you to take a deep breath and breathe for me, okay?”

“O-okay.” Aila’s breathing starts slowing down after a few minutes of Declan rubbing slow circles on her back and telling her to breathe.

“Declan, thank you. I-I wish we could stay like this forever.”

“Stay like what?”

“Sitting here with you holding me and helping me through my panic attack.”

“Oh, well, uhhh. You're welcome.”

“Let’s get back before it gets dark. I’m sure Mya is worrying about me.”

“Yeah, here I’ll help you.”

Declan slowly stands and pulls Aila with him. “Ow, ow,” Aila says, doubling over from the pain in her stomach.

“Does it hurt that bad?”

“Yes. I hate admitting that, but yes, really bad.”

Without a word, Declan picks Aila up and starts walking.

“Declan! Put me down.”

“No, if you have any internal injuries, then if you walk and feel intense pain and keep pushing through it, there’s a chance you make it worse.”

“Okay, fine, but when we get back, you’re getting me ice cream because you never brought me any last night, as Mya told you to.”

“Yes, yes, I know. You’ll get your ice cream.”

When they step through the front door, Mr. and Mrs. Koslov come running from the kitchen.

“Where have you two been? We’ve been worried sick about you two!”

“Ma, be quiet. I’ll explain in a minute. Let me get Aila to her room first. She’s really tired.”

“Okay, okay. Go. But come back down when she is settled.”

“Okay. Got it.”

Declan takes Aila upstairs to her room and sets her on the bed.

Aila holds his arm tighter as he tries to pull away. “No, stay. Don’t go.”

“Okay, I won’t.”

He sits on her bed, lies down, and eventually falls asleep.