The Girl that No-one See

The Ride Home

The final bell echoed through Windlong Hart Academy, and students poured out into the corridors, eager to escape another Monday.

"Sea!"

Sienna turned to see Kristopher jogging towards her, his wrestling bag slung over one shoulder.

"Told you I'd find you."

"You always do," she replied with a smile.

"Ready to head home?"

She nodded.

Together, they walked through the busy corridors towards the student car park.

As they passed, whispers followed them.

"There they are again."

"I still don't get it."

"Kristopher could hang around with anyone."

"So why is he always with Sienna?"

Kristopher heard every word.

He ignored every one of them.

Outside, the cool December air greeted them.

Willow stood beside her gleaming red Range rover with Laura, Lizzy and August.

She watched as Kristopher unlocked his motorcycle and reached into the storage compartment.

Without a word, he handed Sienna the spare helmet..

"I always remember."

Josh, Paul and William wandered over.

William grinned.

"You two really are inseparable."

Kristopher shrugged.

"She's my best friend."

"And always will be."

Sienna felt her cheeks grow warm.

Paul smiled.

"We're all rooting for you on Friday."

"The competition's going to be brilliant," Josh added.

Sienna smiled politely.

"Thank you."

After saying goodbye, Kristopher started the motorcycle.

Sienna climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms lightly around his waist.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

The motorcycle rolled out of the school gates and onto the winding coastal road.

For several minutes, neither of them spoke.

The only sounds were the steady hum of the engine and the waves crashing against the cliffs below.

Kristopher glanced into his mirror.

"You've gone quiet, Sea."

"I'm just thinking."

"About Friday?"

She nodded.

"My grandparents won't be there."

Kristopher slowed slightly.

"The ones from Texas?"

"Yeah."

"They've never missed one of my competitions before."

"What happened?"

Sienna looked out towards the sea.

"Gramps fell off his horse."

Kristopher's eyes widened.

"Is he alright?"

"He broke his foot."

"The doctors said he'll make a full recovery, but he can't travel."

She took a slow breath.

"The competition is this Friday, the 11th of December."

"They called me last night to tell me."

"Grandma sounded heartbroken."

"So did Gramps."

Kristopher gently pulled the motorcycle into a quiet lay-by overlooking the ocean and switched off the engine.

The world suddenly became silent except for the waves below.

He turned to face her.

"Sea..."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

She quickly wiped it away.

"I'm okay."

He smiled kindly.

"You don't always have to pretend with me."

She looked down.

"I know."

"My grandmother always hangs my paintings around the ranch."

"And Gramps keeps every ribbon I've ever won."

"It just won't feel the same without them."

Kristopher reached into his jacket pocket and handed her a clean handkerchief.

"They may not be sitting in the audience..."

"But they'll still be cheering louder than anyone else."

Sienna smiled through her tears.

"I know."

He grinned.

"And you won't be alone."

She looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll be there."

The words were simple.

But they meant everything.

"You will?"

"I wouldn't miss it."

He laughed softly.

"Someone has to be there to clap the loudest."

Sienna laughed for the first time since leaving school.

"I'd like that."

"Good."

He started the motorcycle again.

"You paint."

"I'll cheer."

They continued along the coastal road towards Hart Estate.

As the estate gates came into view in the distance, Sienna realised something.

Although her grandparents couldn't be there...

She still had someone who believed in her without ever asking for anything in return.

For the first time since their phone call the night before, Friday didn't seem quite so frightening.

Instead of turning towards Hart Estate, Kristopher indicated at the next junction and took a different road.

Sienna noticed immediately.

"Kris... this isn't the way to my house."

"I know."

She tilted her head.

"Where are we going?"

He smiled beneath his helmet.

"Mum baked cinnamon rolls this morning."

Sienna laughed.

"You planned this all along, didn't you?"

"Maybe."

A few minutes later, the motorcycle rolled through a pair of elegant wrought-iron gates into the grounds of the Moussaka family villa.

Unlike the grand Hart Estate, the villa felt warm and welcoming.

Colourful flower beds surrounded the house, and laughter drifted through an open kitchen window.

Kristopher parked the motorcycle on the driveway before helping Sienna with her helmet.

"Welcome home..." he joked.

"It's your home."

"My home is your home."

Sienna smiled.

"I think your mum would agree with that."

"She definitely would."

Inside, the house smelled of fresh bread and cinnamon.

Mrs. Moussaka called from the kitchen.

"Kristopher? Is that you?"

"Yes, Mum."

"And you've brought our favourite guest!"

Sienna couldn't help smiling.

Mrs. Moussaka appeared in the hallway, wiping flour from her hands before warmly embracing Sienna.

"It's lovely to see you again, sweetheart."

"It's lovely to see you too, Mrs. Moussaka."

"No 'Mrs. Moussaka'," she said with a wink. "I've told you for years to call me Maria."

Sienna laughed softly.

"I'm still getting used to it."

Maria smiled.

"Well, you're just in time. I've made cinnamon rolls."

"I knew it," Sienna said, looking at Kristopher.

He grinned proudly.

"I told you."

An hour passed almost without either of them noticing.

They sat in the family room with mugs of hot chocolate, laughing over stories from school.

"Did you see Coach's face when Josh accidentally pinned himself to the wrestling mat?" Kristopher asked, trying not to laugh.

Sienna burst into laughter.

"He actually did that?"

"He somehow tripped over his own feet."

"And then blamed the mat."

"It was the funniest thing I've seen all week."

Sienna wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.

"I wish I'd seen it."

Kristopher leaned back on the sofa.

"Oh, and Paul answered his phone in history."

"No!"

"He forgot to silence it."

"What happened?"

"The ringtone was 'Baby Shark.'"

Sienna laughed so hard she nearly spilled her hot chocolate.

"You're making that up."

"I wish I was."

Maria looked into the room, smiling as she heard them laughing together.

Seeing Sienna genuinely happy warmed her heart.

For that one peaceful hour...

There were no whispers.

No comparisons.

No expectations.

Just two best friends sharing stories, laughing until their sides hurt.

It was the happiest Sienna had felt in a very long time.

The afternoon slipped by far too quickly.By the time Kristopher and Sienna left the Moussaka family villa, the winter sky had darkened. The streetlights glowed softly, and a cold wind swept in from the sea.

Kristopher unlocked his car instead of walking towards his motorcycle.

Sienna looked at him curiously.

"I thought we were taking the bike?"

He smiled as he opened the passenger door for her.

"Not this late."

She climbed in.

"The weather's turning."

He started the engine and turned the heater on.

"It's getting a bit nippy for the bike."

Sienna smiled.

"I suppose you're right."

The drive to Hart Estate was peaceful, filled with quiet conversation and the occasional laugh about Josh's wrestling mishap.

Soon, the white estate gates came into view, decorated with climbing red roses that looked almost black in the evening light.

Kristopher pulled up outside the grand front entrance.

Before Sienna got out, he looked at her.

"One more thing."

"What?"

"I'm picking you up tomorrow."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

He smiled.

"I'm going to anyway."

She laughed softly.

"The bike?"

He shook his head.

"The car."

"Winter's setting in now."

"And William's coming with us."

Sienna looked surprised.

"William?"

"He lives only a few streets from me, so I'm giving him a lift too."

He grinned.

"So..."

He pointed a finger at her jokingly.

"...no more getting the bus."

Sienna smiled.

"Okay."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Good."

She climbed out of the car and leaned back in through the open window.

"Thank you... for today."

Kristopher smiled warmly.

"You don't ever have to thank me, Sea."

"I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"See you tomorrow, Kris."

She watched until his car disappeared through the estate gates before turning towards the mansion.

The heavy front door opened quietly.

Inside, the house was silent.

Jordan had already gone to bed, no doubt exhausted after another day of causing harmless mischief.

The only light came from the drawing room.

Sienna stepped inside.

Her father, Alexander Andrew Hart, sat in his favourite leather armchair with a thick hardback book resting on his lap. A pair of reading glasses perched on the end of his nose as he turned another page without looking up.

Across from him, Willow lounged on the sofa, the television tuned to the shopping channel.

She flicked absent-mindedly through luxury handbags while her father's black credit card rested on the coffee table beside her.

Neither of them noticed Sienna at first.

Then Willow glanced towards the doorway.

Her eyes narrowed.

"So..."

She folded her arms.

"Had another lovely afternoon with Kristopher?"

Sienna froze.

Alexander finally looked up from his book.

His eyes moved from Sienna to the front door, then back again.

"You weren't on the school bus."

His voice was calm, but carried its usual sharpness.

"I... got a lift home."

"From Kristopher," Willow answered before Sienna could.

There was a brief silence.

Alexander closed his book.

"I see."

Sienna stood quietly in the doorway, unsure whether she was about to be questioned... or judged.

Neither possibility was new to her. Alexander adjusted his reading glasses before looking at Sienna over the top of his book.

"So... Kristopher drove you home."

"Yes, Dad."

He nodded once, his expression unreadable.

"Well..."

"I suppose that's not very independent."

Sienna lowered her eyes.

"No, Dad."

He placed a bookmark between the pages of his novel and closed it.

"At least you're not wasting money on buses every day."

There was no warmth in his voice—just practical calculation.

"I've put some more credit on your lunch account."

Sienna looked up, surprised.

"Thank you, Dad."

He gave a short nod.

"Don't waste it."

"I won't."

"Good."

Without another word, Alexander reopened his book, signalling that the conversation was over.

Sienna quietly climbed the stairs to her room overlooking the cliffs.

As she closed the bedroom door behind her, she allowed herself a small smile.

Her father might never understand her passion for art.

He might never speak to her with the affection he showed Willow or joke with her the way he did with Jordan.

But tomorrow...

She wouldn't be standing alone at the bus stop.

---

Two Days Later...

Wednesday Morning

A pale winter sunrise spread across the sea beyond Hart Estate.

The waves crashed rhythmically against the cliffs below Sienna's bedroom window as she finished tying her short black hair back before slipping her shell necklace over her head.

Downstairs, the house was already awake.

Pearl-May was still in London on after extension business trip went over 2 more days, leaving the morning unusually quiet.

Alexander sat at the breakfast table with a book in one hand and a cup of black coffee in the other.

Willow scrolled through her phone while nibbling at a piece of toast.

Jordan was attempting to balance a spoon on his nose, grinning proudly each time it stayed in place.

Sienna smiled to herself.

"Morning."

"Morning, Sis!" Jordan beamed.

Alexander gave a brief nod without looking away from his book.

"Morning."

After eating a quick breakfast, Sienna collected her bag and walked outside.

The cold December air stung her cheeks.

She didn't head towards the bus stop.

Instead, she waited by the estate gates, just as she had promised.

A few minutes later, a dark blue car turned the corner and rolled slowly towards the entrance.

Kristopher was behind the wheel.

In the passenger seat sat William Ryan, who gave a cheerful wave through the window.

Kristopher lowered the driver's window and smiled.

"Morning, Sea."

"Morning."

"Told you we'd be here."

William laughed.

"And we even managed to arrive on time."

Sienna smiled as she climbed into the back seat.

For the first time in years...

She wasn't travelling to school alone.Sienna had just fastened her seatbelt when her eyes suddenly widened.

"Oh no."

Kristopher looked at her in the rear-view mirror.

"What is it?"

"My painting!"

William turned around in his seat.

"The competition one?"

Sienna's face drained of colour.

"I left it in my room."

She buried her face in her hands.

"I can't believe I forgot it."

Kristopher smiled reassuringly.

"Hey."

"It's okay."

"We've got time."

"You do?"

He checked the dashboard clock.

"School doesn't start for another half hour."

William nodded.

"Go and get it."

"We'll wait."

"I don't want to make you late."

Kristopher laughed.

"Sea."

"It's one painting."

"I'm not leaving without it."

William grinned.

"Besides, Kris would never forgive himself if we drove off."

Sienna smiled apologetically.

"Thank you."

She quickly jumped out of the car and hurried back through the white gates of Hart Estate, running towards the mansion.

Kristopher watched her go before shaking his head with a smile.

William chuckled.

"She'd forget her own head if it wasn't attached."

Kristopher laughed.

"Only when she's thinking about her art."

"She puts everything else second."

William smiled.

"She's one of the kindest people I know."

Kristopher nodded without hesitation.

"The kindest."

A few minutes later, the front door opened again.

Sienna hurried down the steps, carefully carrying a large, flat portfolio case against her chest.

She looked relieved.

"Found it!"

Kristopher grinned.

"I never doubted you would."

William opened the rear door for her.

"Mission accomplished."

Sienna laughed as she climbed back into the car, resting the precious portfolio carefully beside her.

"Thank you for waiting."

Kristopher started the engine.

"We told you."

"We're a team."

With that, the car pulled away from Hart Estate and began the journey towards Windlong Hart Academy, carrying Sienna—and the painting she hoped would change her future