For three days, Ella stayed home. She woke up, helped her mother in the bakery, and played with Mia, but she refused to go back to Grandview Academy.
The thought of walking into that school again-of hearing the whispers, seeing the stares, and enduring the humiliation-made her stomach turn. She would rather stay where she felt safe.
But her parents didn't give up on her.
"Ella," her mother said gently one evening, kneading dough on the wooden counter. "You worked hard for this scholarship. You deserve to be there as much as anyone else."
Her father, sitting silently at the table, finally spoke. "You can't run from them forever. The best way to prove them wrong is to succeed."
That night, she lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Maybe her parents were right. Maybe she shouldn't let them win.
The next morning, she packed her bag and, for the first time in days, stepped out of the house, determined to face the day.
Ella kept her head down as she walked into the school, avoiding eye contact. The morning classes dragged by, but her stomach growled by lunchtime, forcing her to enter the cafeteria.
She picked up a tray, scanning the room for an empty seat. Everywhere, students sat in groups, chatting and laughing. When she approached a table, the students there exchanged looks before one girl scoffed, "Sorry, this seat is taken."
She moved to another table. "This one's saved."
The rejections continued. Her hands trembled as she gripped her tray, feeling like an outsider in a place she was supposed to belong. Just as she was about to leave, a voice called out.
"You can sit here."
Ella turned to see a girl with wavy dark hair, neatly styled, and a designer handbag resting beside her. She was clearly rich, but her warm smile wasn't like the others.
Ella hesitated. "Are you sure?"
The girl nodded. "Of course. I'm Ava."
And I'm new also ,been here since a month now.Ella sat down, and for the first time, she didn't feel invisible. Ava, despite her wealthy background, was surprisingly down-to-earth.
"I know how these people can be," Ava said, stirring her juice with a straw. "They like to act exclusive. But they're not worth worrying about."
Ella finally smiled, a small one, but genuine. Maybe school wouldn't be so bad after.
After lunch, Ella headed outside, needing some air. She found a quiet spot near the basketball court and pulled out a novel.
"You like books?" a voice interrupted.
She looked up to see a tall, athletic-looking boy holding a basketball. His uniform was slightly messy, and there was an easy confidence in the way he stood.
"I... yeah," she said softly.
He grinned, sitting down beside her. "I'm Ryan. I don't usually see people reading here."
Ella wasn't sure what to say. Ryan was loud and energetic-the complete opposite of her. But he didn't seem bothered by that.
"Come watch me play sometime," he said, tossing the ball in the air. "Maybe I'll convince you to like basketball more than books."
Ella chuckled despite herself. "I doubt that."
For the first time, the school day didn't feel unbearable. She had met two people-Ava and Ryan-and they hadn't treated her like she was nothing.
As she walked home, she stopped by a small café to buy ice-cream for Mia. The boy at the counter looked around her age, wiping his hands on his apron before giving her a friendly smile.
"First time here?" he asked.
Ella nodded.
"I'm Drevin," he introduced himself. "You go to Grandview, right?"
Ella blinked. "How do you know?"
Drevin laughed. "It's obvious. You look exhausted."
Ella smiled. She had only just met him, but something about him felt familiar-comforting, even. She bidded him and left
When she got home, Mia ran to her excitedly. "Ella! How was school?"
Ella sat beside her, the day's weight lifting off her shoulders. "I made friends today."
Her mother beamed, and even her father looked slightly pleased.
For the first time, Grandview didn't feel like a nightmare. Maybe, just maybe, she could survive here.
To Be Continued...