Saint-Rock High (Book 4): Something That Changed Everything

Viola

My mother and I just moved into our new house. After the movers finished lauding our belongings inside the house, my mother decided to bring me to the playground. I’m playing in the sand, surrounded by other kids my age. I’m building a sandcastle or trying at least. It’s not easy. The sand here isn't the same as we found on the beach.

A shadow blocks me from the sun, and when I look up, a boy is standing in front of me. I smile at him. “Do you want to help me?” I ask shily as I get up from the ground.

He takes four steps without saying a word to me. I stay still. I’m curious to know what his next move would be. The unthinkable happens. He pushes me so hard that a stump in the back, landing square on my buttocks.

Seriously!

Tears want to come out. I look up at him, sniffing. “Why did you do that?”

Here I am, trying to be nice to him, and all he does is push me around. Boys can be so mean when they want to.

He points a finger at me. “Because you’re weird!”

He doesn't even know me. How can he tell that I’m stupid? I want my mommy.

Before I have the chance to get up. Someone else steps in front of me, shielding me from that boy. “Do you like pushing people around? Here, let’s see if you like it.” My rescuer doesn't hesitate. He pushes the boy to the ground, only harder.

“If you push her again. You are going to deal with me.” He promises.

The boy that pushed me nods his head and runs away like a coward. My prince turns around, giving me his hand for me to take.

He’s so dreamy.

I never thought I could find a boy as handsome as him. Can I keep him?

He helps me to stand up. He lets go of my hand to dust the sand that I have on my back. My cheeks turn red. “My name is Ian.” He informs me.

“Viola.” I smile, saying my name.

Ian nods. “If he bothers you again. Let me know. Okay?”

I don’t know what came over me. I take his hand in mine. Ian looks at my hand, but he doesn’t pull away.

I clear my throat nervously. “Do you want to help me with my sandcastle?”

Now I feel ridiculous. What if he says no.

He gives me a genuine smile. “I’m sorry, but my mother is calling me. I have to go. Maybe next time.”

I don’t know why, but after he left. Building my sandcastle didn't seem that fun after all.

I run to my mother’s side. “Mommy, can we go now?”

She pinches my cheeks a little. I hate when she does that. “If you are ready to go. I don’t see why not.”

My father left my mother while she was pregnant with me. I never saw him. Not even once. We moved here because my mother had a promotion.

I don’t say anything. I only nod. My mother takes my hand to lead me to her car. I look around, hoping to see Ian again. Sadly, he’s nowhere to be found.

“Oh look, honey. The son of our new neighbours is out playing. Do you want to go and say hello?” My mother asks me as we arrive at our house.

I let out a sigh. I want to play with Ian. I think to myself.

I follow my mother once we get out of the car. “Hello, my name is Sandra Lennox and beside me is my daughter, Viola. I was wondering if my daughter could play with your son?” She asks the grownup before her.

She shakes my mother’s hands. “You must be our new neighbour. Welcome to the neighbourhood.” She looks at me and then at my mother. “Ian!” She shouts.

Wait! Did she say, Ian? As my prince Ian?

Don’t tell me that my new neighbour is Ian?

I want to jump all over the place as I see Ian run to his mother’s side. She leans down at her son. “Ian, this is our new neighbours. Do you want to play with Viola for a while?”

Ian looks at me and lets out a sigh. “Okay.”

My mother went back inside the house, leaving me alone with Ian. I’m just excited to spend more time with my prince.

He takes my hand and my heart leaps up. “So, what do you have in mind?”

“Uhmm, I saw that I have a treehouse in my backyard. Do you want to look at it?” I try to sound as normal as possible.

The years passed by. Ian and I became inseparable. He’s my best friend. The problem is that I have feelings for him. Strong feelings. I fell in love with him. I don’t know if he feels the same way. I’m scared that if I tell him the truth about my feelings. He wouldn’t want to be friends anymore, and if that happens, I don’t know what I will do.

I decided to stop at the treehouse where our friendship had started. As I climb the tree, I hear noises coming inside. Is Ian already inside? I open the trap door of the treehouse, and my heart shatters into a million pieces.

“Viola?” Ian has a shocking expression all over his face. “You came earlier than I expected.”

I don’t say anything. I ran down the tree to go inside my house. How could he?

Before I have the chance to go any further. Ian grabs my arms to stop me from running.

I turn around and shove him away from me. “How could you, Ian?” I scream at him. “This is our spot, our secret place. You decide to bring a girl here to kiss her. How could you?”

He sigh. “Why are you making this a big deal? We are just friends.”

I’m taken aback by his words. “I know that.” I try to sound strong, but I feel miserable. “I know that, but that doesn’t change that it is still my treehouse. Go to find another spot to smooch around. While you’re at it, go and find a new friend. Because you and I are through.” I say in the heat of the moment.

“Fine!” He says back to me.

That’s it. He won’t fight me on this. I mean so low to him. I thought our friendship was stronger than that?

After that day, everything changed between us. I still miss him every day. I still love him. I see him with his friends. We are in a different place. We are no longer at the same level as we used to. He’s popular and I’m at the bottom, invisible.

He doesn’t know how I feel about him, and he will never know.

“Principle Rheims will see you now.” Miss Lily Salazar says to me as she brought me to the now.

I stand up from my seat and walk toward his office. Today, I’m going to give a tour of the school to a new student. Her name is Hanna Parker. I hope she isn’t like the others. Who thinks that they are above everything.

I take a deep breath as I open the door.