Monday Again
650 Words
By Monday morning, Lila had finished reading half of the mystery novel Noah had lent her.
She had stayed up much later than she meant to, unable to put it down. Every few chapters, she found herself smiling because she remembered Noah saying, “Wait until you get to chapter five.” He had been right—it was her favorite part.
As she packed the book into her school bag, her mother noticed it.
“I thought you said you didn’t know anyone here.”
Lila smiled as she zipped up her bag.
“I didn’t.”
“And now?”
“Now… I have friends.”
Her mother smiled, but she could see something had changed in her daughter. Lila’s eyes didn’t look as tired anymore.
“That’s all I wanted.”
The drive to school was quiet, but this time it wasn’t uncomfortable. Lila looked out of the window and realized she recognized the streets now. The town didn’t seem so unfamiliar anymore.
When she reached her locker, Emma was already there.
“You finally made it!” Emma said dramatically.
“I came five minutes early.”
“Exactly. That’s late for me.”
Lila laughed.
“I finished the book.”
Emma gasped.
“You read it already?”
“Almost.”
“No wonder you look sleepy.”
Before Lila could answer, Noah walked over with his backpack hanging from one shoulder.
“Morning.”
“Morning,” the girls replied.
“So…” Noah asked, looking at Lila. “Did you like it?”
She smiled.
“I think you were right.”
“I usually am.”
Emma rolled her eyes.
“There he goes again.”
“I’m kidding.”
“No, you’re not.”
The three of them laughed as they headed to class together.
As they walked through the hallway, Lila noticed fewer people staring at her. Some students even smiled as they passed.
Maybe she was finally becoming part of the school.
During English class, the teacher announced that there would be a debate at the end of the month.
“I’ll need volunteers.”
Before Lila could even think, Emma’s hand shot into the air.
“I’ll do it!”
The teacher smiled.
“Excellent.”
Then Emma did something unexpected.
“And Lila will too.”
Lila’s eyes widened.
“What?” she whispered.
Emma only grinned.
“You’ll thank me later.”
“I won’t.”
The teacher looked at Lila.
“Would you like to participate?”
Every student turned to look at her.
Lila felt her heart racing.
She wanted to say no.
She almost did.
Then she remembered something her father used to tell her.
“Don’t let fear make your choices.”
She took a deep breath.
“I’ll try.”
The teacher smiled.
“That’s the spirit.”
After class, Lila looked at Emma.
“I can’t believe you signed me up.”
“You needed a little push.”
“I might faint.”
“Noah will catch you,” Emma teased.
Both Lila and Noah looked embarrassed.
“Oh my goodness,” Noah laughed. “You’re impossible.”
“I know.”
As they reached the hallway, Vanessa walked past them, brushing her shoulder against Lila on purpose.
“Oh, sorry,” Vanessa said, though she didn’t sound sorry at all.
Lila stumbled but kept her balance.
Noah frowned.
“Vanessa.”
“What?” she asked innocently.
“You know exactly what.”
Vanessa shrugged.
“I bumped into her. It happens.”
She walked away with her friends, laughing.
Lila stared after her but didn’t say anything.
Noah looked at her.
“You okay?”
She nodded.
“I’m fine.”
But deep down, she had a feeling Vanessa wasn’t finished.
And this time, whatever she was planning felt much bigger than a few cruel words.
- Writer
