Ren Igory was no stranger to darkness. At home, her father's harsh words echoed through the halls like a haunting melody, while at school, the laughter of her classmates felt like daggers piercing her heart. She was the girl who blended into the background, the one who was easy to forget.
Every day was a battle. The whispers, the taunts, the isolation—it all weighed heavily on her fragile spirit. But Ren had a secret: she was a fighter. Beneath her timid exterior lay a heart that yearned for freedom, for love, for a life beyond the shadows. Ren sat in her bedroom, tears streaming down her face, as she stared at her phone screen. She had mustered up all her courage to ask her crush, Ryan, to the school dance, but his response crushed her.
"Sorry, I can't go with a loser like you," he had texted back.
It wasn't the first time Ryan had bullied her, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. He was one of the popular kids in school, while she was the outcast. She had always been the odd one out, never quite fitting in with the other girls. Her interests in books and art didn't align with their obsession with makeup and boys.
Her phone buzzed again, and she saw that it was a message from her only friend, Lily. "Hey, are you okay? I heard what happened with Ryan. He's such a jerk."
Ren wiped away her tears and forced a smile. She didn't want to burden Lily with her problems. "I'm fine. Just a little upset, that's all."
"Let's hang out later and forget all about that idiot," Lily replied.
Ren's heart swelled with gratitude for her friend. Lily was the only one who had stuck by her side through all the bullying. She was the only one who truly understood her.
As much as Ren wanted to go out and forget about her problems, her parents would never allow it. They were strict and overprotective, and hardly let her leave the house. They were always too busy with their work and social engagements, leaving Ren feeling alone and neglected.
She let out a sigh and got up from her bed. She went to her window and looked out at the park across the street. She had always found solace in that park. The trees, the flowers, and the birds were her only companions. She often went there to escape the chaos of her life.
She grabbed her sketchbook and pencils and made her way to the park. The sun was just beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the surroundings. She found her usual spot under a big oak tree and sat down, leaning against the trunk.
As she started to sketch the flowers in front of her, she heard the sound of rustling leaves. She decided to go home but the rustling did not stop...