Can't fall in love?
Episode One
Mariel’s POV
I jolted awake, my body damp with sweat. Another nightmare. Geez. So I can’t be happy in life or even in my dreams? A sigh slipped from my lips as I rolled over to check the clock. 5:24 a.m. Only six minutes before the alarm would scream me into consciousness. Temptation whispered for me to close my eyes again, but I resisted. If I gave in, I might oversleep—and that was not an option.
Dragging myself out of bed, I muttered a quick prayer and stretched until the stiffness left my limbs. The bathroom’s cool air greeted me next, where I hurried through my morning routine. By the time I stepped back into my room, towel wrapped tight, the knock came.
“Good morning, babygirl.”
My mother’s voice.
“Morning, Mum,” I called back, pulling my uniform from the wardrobe.
“Just wanted to check if you’re awake.”
“I’m almost ready,” I said, slipping one arm into my sleeve.
“Good. Breakfast is on the table. Don’t keep us waiting.” Her footsteps faded down the hall.
I quickened my pace—Dad leaves for work early, and if I wasn’t ready, he wouldn’t be happy.
Oh! I should probably introduce myself.
My name is Mariel Smith. I’m eighteen, an only child, and a student at Majestic High School—one of the best schools in Newport City. People say I’m smart. People say I’m beautiful. Some girls envy me, some boys chase after me. But none of that matters. I’ve already decided I’ll never date anyone.
Why? Because of my secret.
I’m SS genotype.
Yes. The sickle cell. My parents—both AS—thought they’d be lucky enough to escape the odds. Instead, they gave birth to me. Their gamble became my cross. I’ve lived longer than I expected, but every day feels like borrowed time. Doctors, medications, checkups… they keep me afloat, but they can’t promise forever. So what’s the point of opening my heart when I don’t even know how long I’ll be here?
Anyway. Enough about me. You’ll learn more soon.
Downstairs, Mum and Dad were already seated at the dining table. 6:48 a.m. Not late today. We ate quietly while they exchanged work talk that didn’t concern me. Afterward, I followed Dad to the car. Mum always drove herself.
The ride to school was silent. That was fine. Silence felt safe.
Majestic High’s gates loomed, polished and proud. Dad dropped me off, and I waved goodbye before heading in. But something felt… odd.
Ellie wasn’t there.
She was always earlier than me, so punctual it was almost suspicious. Yet today, her seat was empty. With a frown, I slipped into my own desk. Eyes turned, as they usually did. I ignored them. Better to bury myself in a novel.
The hush didn’t last. It never did.
The moment Caleb walked in, the room shifted. Girls squealed, whispered, giggled. Their so-called “school celebrity.” He basked in the attention, of course, strutting with his friends as if the hallways were a runway. When his eyes landed on me, he winked.
Ugh.
Caleb disgusted me—not just because he was a shameless playboy, but because everyone fell for it. Everyone but me.
Still… where was Ellie?
The clock ticked past 7:30. My unease grew until, finally, she appeared. Relief washed through me, but her face told another story.
“Hey,” she murmured.
“Ellie, what’s wrong?” I asked, scanning her expression.
“I’m fine. Nothing to bother about.”
“You expect me not to care when my best friend looks like that?” My tone softened, coaxing her.
She hesitated, then sighed. “You wouldn’t want to hear it.”
“Try me.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Fine. I’ll tell you. Do you remember my next-door neighbor, Celine?”
“Of course. What about her?” My chest tightened.
Ellie’s eyes glossed with pain. “She died this morning.”
“What?!” The word tore from my throat. Heads turned, but I didn’t care. “How? Why?”
Another sigh. “The doctors think… it was because of her SS genotype.”
My world tilted.
What?!
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✨ TBC...
