The Redemption of my mates.

Ariana POV Beep… beep… beep. The sound of my alarm pulled me from sleep like a cruel reminder. I groaned and stretched, my body stiff, and rubbed my face with my palm. The digital clock glared six a.m. in bright red numbers. Today’s the day — my first day at a new school. Again. Great. I swung my legs out of bed and let my bare feet touch the cold floor. I brushed my teeth, took a quick shower, and pulled on a pair of jeans and a black hoodie. My long, straight brown hair fell naturally over my shoulders, silky strands catching the morning light. I didn’t bother styling it; who was I trying to impress anyway? Not that it mattered. I glanced around my room, now tidy after a quick cleanup. A sigh escaped me as reality sank in: a new school, new faces, new eyes to judge me. I wished I could just stay here, where the walls don’t whisper, and the silence doesn’t ask questions. But Dad doesn’t care about that. He says I have to go, that I have to follow his rules. Rules I hate. “Young lady! Get your ass down here! Don’t make me drag you out of your room!” His voice boomed down the hall. Peace never lasts long. I grabbed my backpack and ran into him in the hallway. My hands shook at the sight of his raised hand. He didn’t even glance at me. “Calm down,” he muttered. “I’m not wasting energy on you today.” He snatched his car keys and left. No breakfast, of course. I followed silently and got in the car. Dad slammed the seatbelt on me and snapped, “Next time, put it on yourself. I’m not getting fined because of you.” The ride was quiet and tense. When we stopped, I blinked at the school’s shiny exterior. Big, tall, and intimidating — hell with better paint. I stepped out, swinging my backpack over my shoulder. “Wait here after school! I’ll pick you up!” Dad called, before speeding away. And his favorite advice: “Don’t make friends!” Inside, the air smelled like disinfectant and new books. Eyes followed me. They always do. I walked straight to the office, heart thumping. A woman behind the desk smiled. “You must be Ariana Carter?” I nodded. She handed me a booklet. “Here’s your schedule, dear. Don’t stress. Just be yourself — you’ll fit in perfectly. And if anyone gives you trouble, let us know.” I nodded again, smiling weakly. Sure. Everyone talks about help, but as long as money exists, promises are lies. I set my jaw and walked down the hall. Finding my locker took effort. The hallway felt alive, full of whispers, laughter, and scuffing shoes. After stowing my bag, I made my way to class, trying to ignore everyone. The hallway was packed, more than usual. Seniors, juniors, newcomers like me — chaos disguised as a school day. When I entered the classroom, silence fell. Great. The ghost had arrived. “Oh my God, girly, don’t you eat?” a girl shouted, and the class erupted in laughter. My hands trembled. I ignored them and hurried to an empty desk in the front row near the window. My straight brown hair fell in soft waves over my shoulders, framing my face as I tried to disappear into my hoodie. I opened my sketchbook. Drawing was my shield. My pencil moved over the page, but the laughter behind me rattled my nerves. “Hi! I’m Lalisa, but you can call me Lisa,” someone said. I looked up — it was the same girl who had mocked me. She extended her hand, smiling too wide. “Can we be friends?” I scoffed and ignored her. She withdrew her hand and muttered to the class, “Ugh, she smells weird. Probably sick. Don’t sit near her if you care about yourself.” Perfect. I don’t want anyone near me anyways. Then he appeared. Tall, confident, golden-brown eyes that caught the sunlight streaming through the window. “You’re sitting in my seat,” he said casually. I froze. I looked up. His eyes studied me, warm but curious. He smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll sit here anyway. I’m Elijah. You can call me Eli.” I didn’t reply. “You don’t talk, huh? Mute?” I looked away. He chuckled. “Alright, I’ll do the talking. You just listen. Deal?” The teacher walked in and asked me to introduce myself. My throat tightened. I couldn’t speak. “She’s mute, ma’am!” Lisa shouted. The teacher smiled and said, I’m sure she can talk. Come on, say something,” Looking into my eyes with encouragement I got up and walked to the front facing the students. All eyes on me. I tried speaking but my voice shook and stumbled. “M-my… nnn… na… name… Ariana.” I finally spoke while tears were flowing down my cheeks. The teacher hugged me and said,” It’s okay dear, don’t be scared, you can go back to your place.” I walked back to my seat and began burying myself in my hoodie. Eli leaned closer, whispering, “You have a beautiful voice.” Break came. Everyone formed groups, laughing and eating. I slipped outside, clutching my sketchbook. I sat under a tree, its shade soft on my skin. My hair shimmered in the sunlight as I bent over my page. Lisa approached with her friends. “Hey Ariana, want to hang out?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. Who she trying to fool? I know she would rather die than hang out with me. “ Are you for real? Ignoring me right now?”She asked with disgust in her face. Then she tossed a half banana at me and walked away with laughter trailing behind her. I reached for it — then someone’s shoe stomped it flat. Of course, it was Eli. “Oops, didn’t see that there,” he said, brushing it off. “ And yes Ariana, it bad to play with food.” He added. I glared at him. If looks could kill, he would have been dead, how dare he! He just grinned and sat next to me. “You’re a tough one,” he said. He pulled out a sandwich and started eating, I hate this. “Eat.” He offered me some. I shook my head instantly, didn’t expect him to do that. “Please, I made a lot this morning. Can’t finish it and we can’t waste food.” He pressed it gently into my hands. “Just eat. Think of it as a gift.” I hesitated, then took a bite. Warm. Soft. Delicious. Real food. The first meal of the day. When I finished, I whispered, “Thank you.” “The pleasure’s all mine,” he replied, with a soft smile on his face. Wow, he has a beautiful smile. The bell rang, I got up and hurried back, that wasn’t part of the plan. I’m not supposed to get carried away like that. That’s how they all start, first gentle then later they will make me pay for their kindness. He had made me speak. On the first day. I froze, put my hand on my racing heart. My life is a mess, my dad a monster, and now… him. He is gonna make me pay for that sandwich. I wept my tears off, I don’t want to think negative. Let see the good side. I had no choice but to survive, so i needed that sandwich, and maybe, just maybe, Elijah isn’t the enemy.