SHADOW OF LOVE

I didn’t understand what was happening. There were so many people strangers all dressed in black, filling the park. Rocks jutted out of the grass like jagged teeth, and I barely noticed. All I could think about was my mom. I hadn’t seen her in a week. Isaac said she was in the hospital, and that today we’d finally see her. My stomach flipped with excitement. I asked Aunty Mila to put me in my favorite black dress. Black theme party, she called it. I called it a welcome party for my mommy. The crowd was huge—over a hundred people. Mommy must be so popular, I thought, spinning in my dress. We went to church. I frowned. It wasn’t Sunday. Maybe because Mommy is coming, I whispered to myself. After the service, I ran to Isaac. “Where is Mommy?” I asked, my voice shaky. He couldn’t speak. His eyes glistened with tears. A tall woman put her hand on his shoulder. “Hey, princess,” she said gently. “You’re such a big girl now. Your mommy is sleeping.” I frowned. Sleeping? “I’m hungry,” I said, my voice small. “I want pizza.” Isaac told me we could go after the event. I started crying. I wanted pizza. I wanted my mommy. Now. Then I saw her. In a box. Her eyes closed, her body still. The box looked too small, too tight, like it was holding her prisoner. I ran to her. “Mommy? Mommy!” I shook her gently. Nothing. At six, I had seen death in cartoons—the dog, the princess, the witch. I had even watched The Hate U Give with Isaac. I knew what it meant. She wasn’t coming back. Tears burned my cheeks as strangers gathered around, whispering, crying. The playground, once full of laughter, was now full of grief—and jagged rocks. Isaac lifted me up. I hugged him tight. My world had shattered. My only mommy, who had loved me fiercely, was gone. Hi. My name is Aviary. I’m 5’5”, caramel-skinned, and sixteen Slim thick, stubborn, and angry at the world. And this… is my story. CHAPTER 1 – Ava’s POV After Mommy died, it was just Isaac and me. Dad… well, he left long before this. I heard he walked out because he wanted a son—a boy to take over the family business. That’s what they said. But he still sent money. Isaac refused it. I took it quietly. Isaac still blamed him for everything—Mom’s death, her funeral, the hollow absence in our house. Maybe he was right. School was harder now. People whispered when I walked by. Teachers offered sympathy in tones that made me want to scream. ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ Bang! Bang! Bang! A heavy knock shook my door. “Oh my goodness, who is it?” I called out, frustrated, sitting up in bed, half-awake. I went to the door and opened it. “Aviary James Elizabeth!” Lili spelled out my whole name. “Good morning to you too,” I replied. “Why aren’t you dressed already?” she asked as she walked in, letting me shut the door behind her. Lili has been my best friend forever. She’s kind… but trust me, you’ll see all her bad sides before the sweet ones. “Because it’s 5 a.m., and school doesn’t start until 8,” I said, rubbing my eyes. “Well, you know we’ve got to fill out our names for THE AWARD today, right?” she asked, making sure I hadn’t forgotten our plans. “Yes,” I said, giving her the I remember look. I walked to the kitchen to rinse my face. “So?” she asked, hovering behind me. “I don’t think I wanna do that… anymore,” I said. “Oh my God. Oh my goodness!” Lili clapped in frustration, using the universal I want to strangle you hand language. “Why? We talked about this. You know I want to drown you in that sink right now,” she added. I turned off the tap, dried my face, and faced her disappointed look. I sighed. “Just tell me one goddamn reason why you don’t want to,” she demanded. “Well—” “Good morning, princess,” a familiar voice interrupted. “Hi, Isaac,” Lili greeted, smiling ear to ear,. She’d always had a huge crush on him back when he went to Eagle’s High. “Hi, Lili,” he smiled. “Knew I heard your voice.” “Really?” she asked, twirling a braid and blushing. “Mama, you’re up early?” Isaac asked, grabbing water from the fridge. “You good? What’s with the long face?” “She doesn’t want to participate in THE AWARD,” Lili said. He arched a brow as he swallowed the water. “What’s that?” THE AWARD is an event where students get nominated as ‘the best’, earning higher privileges in school kind of like running for prom king or queen, or student president. I explained it to him. “That sounds fun! Damn, they didn’t do that when I was at Eagle’s,” he said. I rolled my eyes. “What’s wrong, mama?” he asked. “Well… it’s been ten years since Mom died, and I feel like people would pity me and give me an unfair advantage,” I explained. “That’s bullshit, Avii,” Lili said. “Well, if you feel that way, make it known in your speech,” Isaac said gently. “Okay, mama?” I nodded. “I’d love to stay longer, but I gotta run,” he said, picking up his car keys. “Wait you’re going out?!” I almost screamed. “Yes?” he replied, sounding unsure. “You said you were gonna drop me off at school.” “Oh, damn. I forgot. I promise I’ll pick you guys up after school. I gotta go meet Amir,” he said one of his college friends. I rolled my eyes. “Fine.” He kissed my forehead and left. “Your brother is so hot,” Lili whispered. “Stop, Lili. Not today,” I said, holding up my palm. “I want him!” she sang as we walked back to my room to get ready. “Oh my days, lalala,” I muttered, blocking my ears. At School Before lunch, Lili dragged me to register for THE AWARD. The line was ridiculously long, and of course, it was being handled by the most beautiful and popular girl in school. Perfect skin, perfect smile, perfect life. I rolled my eyes as she called names dramatically, like she was hosting a fashion show instead of a school event. By the time we finally got back to class, Mr. MK decided it was the perfect moment to tell a joke. He laughed before finishing it. Nobody else did. We all stared at him in silence. Lili leaned toward me and whispered, “Is it just me, or was that painfully unfunny? I almost choked trying not to laugh. After lunch came the pop quiz. I stared at the paper like it had personally offended me. Lili was already writing, calm and confident. “Must be nice,” I muttered. By the time school ended, my stomach was growling, and I was more than ready to head home. Outside, while waiting for Isaac, a weird guy approached me. “Hey… want a ride on my bicycle?” he asked. He hadn’t even dressed properly, his hair was a mess, his T-shirt wrinkled. Lili and I looked at each other and said in unison, “No.” He shrugged, went back to his bike, and struggled with the chain. I raised an eyebrow. “Need help?” He waved me off. I pressed my lips together and closed my eyes tightly, trying hard not to laugh. Finally, Isaac arrived, tossing his phone in frustration. “Get in.” He said firmly. “Someone’s pissed,” I muttered as we got into the car. We were about driving off when Roy, one of the popular guys, jogged up. “Avi, you coming to the party tonight?” “What party?” I asked. “My place. Ten o’clock. You and Lili. I’ll be expecting you.” Isaac pressed his lips together, glanced at me, and started driving. “Nope. Not happening.” We groaned. “Come on, Isaac! Please!” Lili begged. I joined in, laughing. After ten minutes of playful arguing, giving him ten reasons why we should go, Isaac finally grunted. “Fine. But you’re back before midnight.” Lili cheered. I shook my head. That’s my brother protective, stubborn, impossible… and secretly kind of funny.