Chapter 1: The Day We Became friends (part 1)
Thursday mornings always felt the same to Ella.
She woke up before the sun came out. The small room she shared with her older brother, Jericho, was still dark. The only sound was the old ceiling fan turning slowly above them. It made a small clicking noise every few seconds.
Ella sat up and rubbed her sleepy eyes. She looked at the clock on the wall.
5:30 a.m.
Another school day.
She sighed quietly.
Jericho was already awake. He was putting on a clean white shirt and black trousers. He worked as a laboratory technician at St. Mary's Hospital, and he always left home early.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Jericho said with a smile.
"Morning," Ella answered, stretching her arms.
Jericho walked over and gently tapped her forehead.
"Better hurry. You don't want to be late again."
Ella laughed softly.
"I know."
Their mother, Grace, called from the tiny kitchen.
"Breakfast is ready!"
The smell of fried eggs and bread filled the house.
Their home wasn't big. It had only two bedrooms, a sitting room, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. The walls were old, but they were always clean. Grace worked hard every day to make sure her children had everything they needed, even when money was tight.
The three of them sat around the small dining table.
Grace smiled warmly.
"Eat well before school."
Ella picked up a slice of bread.
"Thanks, Mum."
Jericho looked at Ella.
"You have Chemistry today, right?"
Ella nodded.
"And Maths."
Jericho laughed.
"Well... good luck with Maths."
Ella rolled her eyes.
"I don't need luck. I need a miracle."
Everyone laughed.
For a few minutes, the little house was filled with happiness.
Grace reached across the table and held Ella's hand.
"Remember something."
"What?"
"No matter what happens today, don't let anyone make you believe you're not good enough."
Ella smiled.
"I won't."
But deep inside...
She wasn't so sure.
Half an hour later, Ella was walking to school alone.
The morning air was cool, and birds were singing in the trees. Students walked in groups, laughing and talking about homework, football, and weekend plans.
Ella walked by herself.
She didn't mind being alone.
Or at least...
She had learned to pretend she didn't.
As she reached the school gate, she took a deep breath.
Rosewood High School.
Another long day.
She adjusted her backpack and walked inside.
Students filled every corner of the school compound.
Some were buying snacks.
Some were chatting.
Others were running to class before the bell rang.
Ella quietly walked toward her classroom.
She almost made it.
Almost.
"Well, well..."
A familiar voice stopped her.
Ella froze.
She slowly turned around.
Ryan.
Standing beside him were Mason and Tiffany.
The three students everyone tried to avoid.
Ryan folded his arms.
"Look who finally decided to come to school."
Mason laughed loudly.
"I thought she disappeared."
Tiffany looked Ella up and down.
"Or maybe she couldn't find a decent uniform."
The three of them laughed.
Ella looked down at her shoes.
She didn't answer.
She knew answering only made things worse.
Ryan stepped closer.
"What's wrong?"
"Cat got your tongue?"
Ella quietly tried to walk past him.
Ryan blocked her way.
"Did I say you could leave?"
Several students slowed down to watch.
Nobody said anything.
Nobody helped.
Everyone knew Ryan's family was rich.
His father was one of the school's biggest sponsors.
The teachers usually ignored whatever he did.
Ryan smirked.
"Tell me, Ella."
"How does it feel coming to school wearing the same shoes every day?"
Mason laughed.
"I've seen better shoes in the trash."
Tiffany covered her mouth as she giggled.
"I almost feel sorry for her."
Ella's face turned red.
She gripped the straps of her backpack tightly.
She wanted to leave.
She wanted the ground to open and swallow her whole.
Ryan suddenly reached out and pulled the backpack off her shoulder.
"Let's see what our little genius is hiding."
"Please..." Ella whispered.
"Give it back."
Ryan ignored her.
He unzipped the bag and turned it upside down.
Books...
Pens...
Exercise books...
Everything fell onto the ground.
Gasps came from nearby students.
Ella stared at her books lying in the dirt.
Her heart broke.
Those books weren't cheap.
Her mother had worked extra hours to buy them.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
Ella knelt down to pick them up.
She blinked hard, trying to stop herself from crying.
But one tear escaped anyway.
Ryan smiled.
"Aw..."
"She's crying."
The three bullies laughed again.
Just then...
A voice echoed across the hallway.
"That's enough."
The laughter stopped.
Everyone turned toward the voice.
A girl with long dark hair stood a few steps away.
Her school bag rested on one shoulder.
Her eyes were calm...
But there was something strong about the way she stood.
She walked straight toward Ella.
Straight toward Ryan.
Without fear.
Without hesitation.
Ryan frowned.
"And who are you?"
The girl didn't answer immediately.
She bent down first.
She helped Ella pick up every single book.
She dusted the dirt off each one before placing it neatly back into Ella's backpack.
Only then did she stand up.
She looked Ryan directly in the eyes.
"My name is Eliana."
"And if you think bullying someone makes you look strong..."
She took one step closer.
"...then you're the weakest person standing here."
Ryan's smile disappeared.
The hallway became completely silent.
No one had ever spoken to Ryan like that before.
And no one knew...
This was the moment that would change four girls' lives forever
