Life can feel like a never-ending puzzle. Every move we make, every decision we choose, leads us down a different path. But what is the ultimate goal? What happens after our time on this earth is done? On one hand, it's tempting to live recklessly and embrace the idea of "you only live once." But on the other hand, how to make the most of this life without risking everything?
Isabella believes she has all the answers, but a constant voice in her mind second-guesses every decision. She has a loving mother, an indulgent father, and was the only child. Her life seemed perfect, but was it all just a facade?
The alarms next to her head blared loudly, but the tired girl slept on, immune to any loud noise. It would probably take a nuclear disaster to rouse her from her slumber. After multiple alarms, she finally stirred from under the covers with tangled hair and groggy eyes. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pondered the choices she had made in life. Getting up early for school was always a struggle. She couldn't help but wonder why school started so early; wouldn't it be better in the afternoon when everyone is awake and full of energy?
Mentally grumbling, she reluctantly gets up from her dishevelled bed to begin getting ready for the day ahead. She strolls leisurely towards the bathroom, scrolling through Instagram on her phone to catch up on the latest updates.
As she looks into the mirror, she sees a flawless reflection staring back at her. Her tan skin, inherited from her mother, radiates under the lighting. Her black curls fall perfectly around her face, framing her dark green eyes and complementing the freckles sprinkled across her small nose. Long, natural lashes draw attention to her innocent aura, while rosy pink cheeks and lips add a touch of playfulness. She was everything society deemed as perfect for a girl her age.
Every morning, she went through the same routine of brushing her teeth, combing her hair, and putting on her school uniform: an off-white blouse, a beige skirt, long white socks, and black shoes. In front of the mirror, she looked like the perfect child—just as her parents had raised her to be.
Isabella descended the stairs, her presence announced by the soft patter of her footsteps. In the living room, her father lounged on the couch, clad in his familiar glasses, engrossed in the morning newspaper while savouring a steaming cup of coffee. As he lifted his gaze from the pages, he was greeted by the sight of his beloved daughter, impeccably dressed in her crisp uniform, poised to tackle the day ahead. "Good morning, Bella," he greeted warmly, his voice resonating with affection. Isabella had always perceived him as a dirty blonde, a notion he had playfully corrected one evening, revealing that he was, in fact, a brunette—a man who had once been the epitome of youthful perfection.
"Morning, father." Her eyes were soft as she spoke. "Senior year, huh? Remember that there are many unexpected things that can happen, so it's important to be prepared. "Of course, father." She spoke with a sense of nervousness about the upcoming new year.
"Breakfast is served." Her mother's melodious voice echoes through the house. The duo proceeded to the dining area where her mother, with a charming smile, stood. Isabella's freckles and tan skin belonged to her. The ones who had them first were her, and she will always hold the strong and amazing woman in front of her in high regard.
X—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
She waved goodbye to her father as she entered the grounds of the place she always went to. Richard High School. It was named after the man who built it, of course. But rumour has it that his entire family had died long before he built the school on the land where his house once stood.
As she walked through the gates, she could almost hear her ears bursting from the chaos and the scurrying of students as she made her way to her locker. Everyone says it's the senior year they dread. Prom, titles, grades, teachers. She'd never had a problem with any of those things, but she didn't know that all that was about to change.
Her whole life, she'd gotten perfect grades, she'd enjoyed her proms and parties, she'd already won every title, and her teachers loved her. Her little thought bubble burst when she realised she was standing in front of her locker. She had tried her best to keep it nice and neat, unlike the students around her. She opened it as she unlocked her phone. Her lock screen was a picture of the sky. She had taken it when she had just gotten her own phone.
Upon turning off her DND, she realised Sophie had messaged the group.
Sophie🤠:
GUYS GOOD MORNING!!!! FIRST DAYYYYYY OF SENIOR YEAR! HOW ARE Y'ALL FEELING?😌
Tyler😐:
The same as last year🥱
Sophie🤠:
Boring. Ew.
Xavier💀:
I feel excited~ slay the day~~~ 😙 Ready to
Why do I sound like a girl?😒
Ava🐻:
That's because you are.🥱
I feel so tired tho Why did summer vacay end?😭
Isabella💕:
I feel excited😙
Tyler😐:
We know😒
Isabella💕:
Heh😀
Sophie🤠:
Alright what are the plans?
The same spot as usual? The library?
Ava🐻:
Yeah obvio
Isabella💕:
Yep!
Xavier💀:
Well I'll be too busy "preparing" for the first period.😏
We'll meet in lunch break
Sophie🤠:
K
Tyler?
Tyler😐:
I have forms to fill out for the position of president of sports, you know.😬
Isabella💕:
Well I've filled out my president form✨
Tyler😐:
Good for you ma'am
Sophie🤠:
So the girlies will meet in library, and we all will meet in lunch break okay?
Ava🐻:
Yep
Xavier💀:
Yus ma'am
Isabella💕:
Got it
Following the orders of her friend, she walks towards the library.
Her footsteps echoed as she entered the quiet hallway of the library. She made her way to the usual spot they had for the last 3 years. The horror section. No one really came to the library anymore; students were too busy with classes or finding relationships. It was mostly her friends and her. Even the librarian knew that.
As she approached the table, Ava looked up. Her soft brown eyes and short hair—the new look she acquired when a guy broke her head on summer vacations. She had a habit of changing her style ever so often. Her eyes were small and complimented her face. She had tiny freckles and slender, rosy lips. Her face was covered with large circular glasses that she wore for the sole purpose of fashion. Sitting beside her was Sophie. Her dirty blonde hair was longer than the last time I saw her, the perfect shape of her face giving way to her rosy, natural plump lips. Her eyes were a light green, emerald colour. She was the perfect and prettiest of all three. She was so gorgeous, guys all around her would take a second glance.
"Bella!" Sophie exclaimed of joy as she gave her a warm hug, while Ava gave a side hug. Ava was the chill person of the whole friend group, while Sophie was like this bundle of joy that kept the spirit high. "Hey guys." Isabella's grin was displayed for everyone to see. "Can you believe it? We are in the last year of high school and the first day of senior year." Sophie squealed quietly in excitement. It sounded unbelievable. Isabella felt it was just yesterday she had her first photo day for high school. It seemed like it was a disaster at first until she met these two amidst the students. These two helped her out to have the photo for her ID, and from that day on, the attachment only grew. That was 3 years ago. And here they are now. A sigh of disbelief escaped her as she stared at her two friends. She was grateful to have them. Her smile naturally grew wider.
They talk and relax for a good half an hour, until Isabella's phone buzzes with her reminder for her first class of the day. Excited, she gets up and says her farewell to her two friends who go the opposite way outside of the library.
On her way to her chemistry class, she sees Xavier flirting with another girl like always. His white crisp shirt wrinkled because of his "preparation" for the first period. He was a blonde, and his eyes were brown with a hazel hue. He looked… pretty. Wait, what was she thinking? No, she hates Xavier.
Xavier leaned closer to the girl as she blushed and became visibly flustered. Everyone would be. This was Xavier that she was talking about; he was born with charm. Rolling her eyes, she grabbed his hair while walking and dragged him to class while he yelped and whined like a baby, trying to get rid of her hand from his hair. But Xavier did not forget to give a flying kiss to the girl he was flirting with. "Can you be decent for once and try not to hook up on the first day of senior year for god's sake?" Isabella spoke with annoyance. That came out a little more rude than expected. Xavier looked at her when they reached their designated class. He predicted that reaction from her.
Xavier spoke, "Chillout, sweetcheeks. I was just trying to get lucky tonight. Whatever. Do you have any idea how epic today's prank is going to be?" Prank? Yes, prank. He was Xavier, the prankster of their school. Of course he had a prank up his sleeve.
"Do not call me that. And if this stupid pranks makes Mrs Phil mad, I am disowning you from now until forever." Isabella sassed as she sat down on her seat. Xavier strode behind her and sat beside her. "Yeah, yeah, Mrs Phil would not mind. Unless she fought with her husband."
While talking, the infamous Mrs Phil enters the room. As she started her class without delay — which sounds like a crime on the first day of school — a balloon pops as soon as she styles down in her seat. She looks up, her eyes glaring at Xavier. Usually she would let it go but today... Oh no.
After a lecture on respect and disobedience throughout the whole period, she awards detention toXavier and Isabella. Isabella, a kid who's never gotten detention in her life, looks up at her teacher in bewilderment. "But I didn't." "But you did not stop him either, did you?" Mrs Phil retorts back. Her group had gotten a bad reputation because of Xavier through the past 3 years. Her eyes moved downwards as she knew that was true. Xavier, beside her, tried to take a stand for her but a hand on top of his knuckle made him realise how guilty he felt for putting her in trouble too. To not worsen the situation, he kept quiet. "Both of you, detention after school. I'm only giving you one day of detention because I believe you will learn something from it Isabella, got it?" Mrs Phil spoke as she gathered her stuff to leave and everyone else packed up their bag. Whispers about her perfect life score getting ruined and eyes glancing at Isabella's direction; the feeling of shame made her put her head down and she felt like she ruined her life. She should've stopped him.
Xavier, looking at her, felt utterly awful. Why can teachers do whatever and give detention to whoever they want without solid reason? He felt anger bubbling. But he could do nothing about it except comfort his disappointed friend. Isabella was already so hard on herself. This incident will only make her... Self-critical.