The afternoon sky turned golden as the school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. It was only the first day of actual classes, but everything felt light and pleasant. Just introductions with the teachers, a bit of small talk with classmates, and some light class duties.
Raeya stepped out of the St. Edenia Academy gate alongside her three new friends—Val, Chessa, and Rere. Their soft laughter filled the air as they walked together toward the pickup area.
Luxury cars lined the street beyond the school gates. A man in a black suit opened the car door for Val. Before getting in, Val turned back toward Raeya with a warm smile.
"Raeya, want to ride with me? I can take you home," she offered kindly. Chessa and Rere also smiled sweetly at her.
Raeya gently shook her head, returning a polite and sincere smile. "No, thank you, Val. My apartment's not too far from here. My aunt is picking me up."
"Ohh, alright then." Val nodded in understanding. "See you tomorrow, Raeya!"
"See you!"
Raeya waved as one by one, her friends left. The street quieted for a few seconds—until a soft, familiar voice called from behind.
"Raeya, sweetheart!"
Raeya turned and saw Aunt Lily walking toward her, wearing her usual bright smile. Her steps were light, full of warmth. As Raeya approached, she was pulled into a gentle embrace.
"How was your day, sweetheart?" Aunt Lily asked, cupping Raeya's cheek lovingly.
Raeya beamed, her eyes sparkling. "It was a good day, Auntie. I made new friends."
Finally. That was the first word Aunt Lily whispered, followed by a smile full of gratitude. "Who are your new friends?" she asked as she gently took Raeya's hand.
They started walking slowly toward the apartment, letting the quiet evening become the backdrop to their warm conversation.
"There's Val—she's really friendly. Then Chessa and Rere, they're nice too. We sit close to each other in class," Raeya said excitedly.
"I'm so happy to hear that. You've finally met kind friends."
Raeya nodded. "I still get nervous sometimes, but they make me feel comfortable."
Once they arrived at the apartment, Raeya slowly took off her shoes by the door. Not long after, Aunt Lily sat on the couch in the living room, her eyes scanning the familiar space. "Feels like just yesterday when we were setting this apartment up, doesn't it?"
Raeya sat beside her. Her smile dimmed a little. "Yeah… but today's your last evening here."
Aunt Lily gently stroked Raeya's head. "You've done so well, Raeya. I'm proud of you. You've grown into a strong, independent girl… full of life." Her voice trembled softly.
Raeya lowered her head briefly, then hugged her aunt tightly. "Thank you, Auntie. Thank you for staying with me this far… for teaching me how to be brave."
The hug lingered. It was warm. Quietly, Aunt Lily wiped away a tear. "I'll always be praying for you. And if I miss you, I'll give you a call, okay?"
Raeya nodded. And with slow steps, they made their way to the front door. A simple black car waited outside the apartment building.
"I'm off now, sweetheart." "Okay, Auntie… take care…"
Raeya stood in front of the building, waving her small hand until the car disappeared around the corner. Her smile lingered on her face, even as a quiet loneliness began to settle inside her. She took a deep breath before heading back into the apartment.
Evening had turned to night. The city lights blinked like tiny stars on the ground. Raeya sat alone on the apartment balcony, wrapped in a light cardigan, gazing at the moon hanging gracefully in the sky.
The night air felt cool. And with the wind… came silence.
Usually, her aunt's laughter would fill this space. They would have dinner together, chatting about the little things with warmth. But tonight… there was only stillness.
Raeya hugged her knees, eyes looking up at the vast sky above.
"Auntie… I'll be okay," she whispered. "I promise I'll hang in there. I'll get used to this."
She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the night breeze brush against her cheeks.
Then, going back inside, she poured herself a glass of warm milk and sat on the couch. Her eyes wandered around the room—everything was the same, yet it all felt different.
But Raeya knew… this was the first step into her new life. A life where she was no longer just the daughter of a famous CEO, no longer a girl who needed constant watching. This… was her life. Her journey.
And she was ready.
"First night alone," she murmured with a small smile. "But… I'm not afraid."
Raeya glanced out the window one more time, then closed her eyes with a quiet prayer in her heart.
May this step bring me good things… and may what comes next… be happiness.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
A few days had passed since the start of school. Everything seemed fun at first—cozy classrooms, patient teachers, and friends who welcomed her warmly. But… over time, something began to feel different.
Raeya sat on a bench in the school garden during break time, surrounded by Val, Chessa, and Rere. Their laughter rang loud as usual, but the words they spoke started to make Raeya feel uneasy… and out of place.
"You know that girl in class 1-3?" Rere asked, stirring her juice in a plastic bottle.
"The one with the weird blonde hair?" Chessa jumped in. "Ugh, she walks like a model, but her face looks like a stepped-on shoe."
Val burst out laughing, nearly spitting out her drink. "Totally acting like a celeb, when everyone knows her dad's some disgraced minister. I heard her mom ran off with some guy, too!"
"No wonder she looks so stressed all the time," Rere added, raising her eyebrows dramatically.
Raeya froze. The smile on her face slowly faded. A strange discomfort crept into her chest. She looked at each of them, one by one.
"Val… Chessa… Rere… Please don't say things like that," Raeya said softly but firmly. "We don't know what she's really going through. It would be awful if she heard all this."
Val raised an eyebrow at her. Chessa stopped chewing her biscuit.
"Are you serious, Raeya? Gosh, we're just joking. Chill out," Val muttered dismissively.
"Besides, if she's that sensitive, why even come to a school full of rich kids?" Rere added.
"She gets offended so easily—she should go to some countryside school instead," Chessa sneered, followed by more laughter.
Raeya sighed and lowered her head, doubt starting to fill her chest.
"I'm going to the bathroom," she said softly, standing up. The three didn't care much, still giggling and carrying on with their chatter.
Her steps toward the restroom felt heavy. In her mind, memories of the early days with them replayed. They had seemed so warm, so kind… or at least, Raeya had believed they were.
The school bathroom was quiet. Only the sound of running water and her footsteps echoed in the space. She stood in front of the mirror, washing her hands slowly. Then—footsteps approached from behind.
Raeya looked up—and was startled. Next to her, a familiar figure appeared.
Mira.
The girl stared at their reflection in the mirror. Her face was as expressionless as ever, her voice almost mocking, emotionless.
"I feel sorry for you."
Raeya turned quickly. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Mira continued staring ahead, not a hint of a smile.
"Don't you realize?" she mumbled. "I don't know… why I even care."
Raeya stared at her, confused and slightly shaken.
Mira turned and walked away without another word, leaving Raeya standing alone in front of the mirror. Only her own reflection looked back at her now.
"What's with her…" Raeya whispered. "She always talks in riddles."
But a different voice spoke in her heart. Was that really just sarcasm? Or… was it a warning?
Raeya remembered the laughter and the cruel jokes from earlier. Their words had been harsh, all of them laughing at someone they barely even knew.
The discomfort in Raeya's chest grew stronger.
Why are they so cruel? How could they laugh after saying such things?
She walked out of the restroom slowly. In the hallway, the lively chatter and laughter of her classmates echoed like a distant hum. Suddenly, everything felt hollow.
They're different… Raeya thought. Or maybe… I was too quick to trust?
The thought made her breathing feel heavier. The school that once felt warm now seemed to be covered in a gray mist.
For the first time since coming to St. Edenia…
Raeya felt truly alone.