HIGH SCHOOL LOVE ON

The sharp sound of Rihanna's alarm clock shattered the early morning silence, echoing through the house as it vibrated relentlessly on her bedside table. On the third ring, Rihanna groaned and quickly switched it off. She stretched her arms above her head, rubbing the last traces of sleep from her eyes before making her way to the bathroom. It was another chilly morning in Brixton, London. The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the sky with soft shades of gold and orange. Its gentle rays filtered through the bathroom window, casting a warm glow across the room. Rihanna stared at her reflection as she brushed her teeth. She had inherited the best of both her parents' features. Her mother, a Black woman, had passed down her beautiful curly hair, expressive brows, and warm brown complexion. From her father, she had inherited her height and striking blue eyes—a rare feature that often caught people's attention. At sixteen, Rihanna was undeniably pretty. Her bright smile and kind personality made her stand out even more than her looks. While many students admired her, not everyone liked the attention she naturally received. After finishing her morning routine, Rihanna got dressed for school and checked the time. "Great. Right on schedule." She hurried downstairs and headed to the kitchen. Since her father was home from work for a few days, there was food in the fridge and enough groceries for breakfast. It wasn't always like that. She quickly prepared some toast and eggs, packed a sandwich into her lunch bag, and grabbed her school backpack. The house remained silent. Her father, stepmother, and stepsiblings were still asleep. Rihanna smiled to herself. Waking up early had its advantages. The previous evening had been surprisingly peaceful. Whenever her father was around, life seemed a little easier. The tension in the house wasn't completely gone, but it was manageable. After locking the front door behind her, she made her way down the quiet street. The cold morning air brushed against her cheeks as she walked toward the bus station. Halfway there, she remembered she hadn't prayed before leaving home. Closing her eyes briefly, she whispered a quick prayer. Her mother had taught her that habit years ago, and even though her mother was gone, Rihanna still found comfort in it. By the time she reached the bus stop, the bus had already arrived. "Perfect." She climbed aboard and settled into a seat by the window. The city was slowly waking up around her. Christmas had ended only a few weeks earlier, but traces of winter still lingered. Thin patches of snow decorated rooftops and lined the edges of sidewalks. Shop windows displayed fading holiday decorations, while colorful lights still hung from some houses. The streets looked peaceful. People hurried to work, shop owners prepared to open their stores, and large billboards flashed advertisements across the city. Rihanna rested her head against the window and watched everything pass by. She was the only student on the bus, which wasn't surprising. It was still very early, and most students were probably enjoying a few extra minutes of sleep. For now, she simply enjoyed the quiet. Little did she know that this semester would change everything.