Aria woke up to the faint sunlight streaming through the small window of her modest room. The chirping of birds outside was a rare comfort in her otherwise chaotic life. Despite everything, she always tried to start her day with a glimmer of hope.
Her room was small but her refuge. The faded beige walls were bare except for a single drawing she had made as a child—a crude but endearing image of a family: stick figures holding hands under a bright yellow sun. The bed creaked every time she shifted, but it was hers, and she kept it neat as a point of pride. On the corner of her small desk, hidden beneath a few old books, was her most precious possession—a photograph of her parents. She rarely brought it out, afraid that one day it might disappear, just like them.
Her life had been far from easy. Orphaned at a young age, a tragic accident claimed her parents. Her mother passed away during childbirth, and her father, a construction worker, reportedly perished in a building collapse. Yet, there was always a lingering doubt in Aria's mind, a whisper of a different story. Sometimes, in the quiet moments before sleep, she thought she could hear her father's voice—calm, steady, and reassuring. She couldn't remember what he said, only the warmth it carried.
With a small sigh, Aria tied her long, wavy brown hair into a loose braid and headed to the kitchen to start breakfast. Cooking had become second nature to her, a skill she'd picked up on her own over the years. She hummed softly as she worked, the scent of freshly chopped onions and sizzling oil filling the air.
"Are you okay, dear?" a familiar voice asked behind her.
Aria turned, her face lighting up. "Uncle Henry!" she exclaimed, rushing to hug him.
His clothes and tired expression hinted that he'd just come home from work. Many of her father's old friends often remarked how much Henry resembled his brother—both in looks and mannerisms. For Aria, that resemblance was both comforting and bittersweet.
"I'm fine, Uncle Henry," she replied, though her eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. "You look tired. Did you just get back?"
Henry nodded, giving her a small smile. "Yes, and I wanted to check on you. I know things here aren't always easy, but you're strong, Aria. Just keep your head up, okay?"
She always felt alone, well, besides her best friend, Ava and Uncle Henry, she does not have a lot of people in her life to lean on to.
Aria hesitated, looking down at her hands, still stained with the scent of garlic. "Uncle…sometimes I feel like I don't belong here. I keep wondering if there's more to what happened to my parents. Do you ever—do you ever think about him? About my dad?"
Henry's expression softened, his eyes growing distant. "All the time," he admitted. "You remind me so much of your father. He had that same determination in his eyes, that same stubborn strength. Sometimes, I think if he were still here…" He paused, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. "Just know he'd be proud of you. Both of them would."
Her throat tightened as she nodded, blinking back tears. "Thanks, Uncle Henry. I'll keep going—for them."
"That's my girl," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Now, let's eat. I'm starving."
She quickly prepared the dining area, and accidentally glanced at herself from the mirror hanging in the wall and immediately looks away. She never thought of herself as attractive or beautiful.
After breakfast, Aria cleared the table and tidied up the kitchen. As she washed the dishes, she overheard her cousins, Bianca and Serena, chatting excitedly in the living room.
"Oh my gosh! I saw a handsome guy during our enrollment," Serena gushed. "They said he's a transferee—just moved here to Blackwood because his parents relocated for work. His name is Jackson Martin, I think."
"Don't even think about it, Serena," Bianca replied sharply. "I saw him too, and he's mine. Don't you dare get in my way! You know how things go."
Serena sighed but didn't argue, retreating to her room in silence. Bianca, on the other hand, seemed energized, already planning her first-day outfit.
Aria rolled her eyes at their antics. She didn't share their obsession with appearances or social standing. For her, the first day of school wasn't about new clothes or boys—it was another step toward her future, one she was determined to shape herself.
Still, curiosity flickered in her mind. A new student? It was rare for anyone to transfer to their small, secluded school. 'Maybe it was the guy I saw in the hallway at school last week. He was quite attractive but oh well, he might never like someone like me. He never even looked at me when I walked in front of him,' she thought to herself.
Little did she know, Jackson was secretly glancing at her, observing her. 'She looks so beautiful and different in a good way. She looks like she is not like any other girls I've met before. There is something quite intriguing and mysterious about her than meets the eye' He thought to himself.
But, there is something about him that sparked her curiosity. It was like a strange feeling of connection between them even if they have never met before, or so she thought.
Dismissing the thought, she dried her hands and headed back to her room.
Once inside, she sat on the edge of her bed and pulled out the hidden photograph. Her mother's gentle smile and her father's proud stance filled her with equal parts comfort and longing. She ran her fingers over the faded edges of the photo, a lump forming in her throat.
"One day," she whispered to herself. "I'll make you proud."
With that silent promise, she tucked the photo back into its hiding place, lay down, and closed her eyes. Tomorrow was the first day of school, and though she wasn't one for excitement, she couldn't shake the feeling that this year might be different.