The alarm buzzed like a dying mosquito in my ear.
I groaned, flailing an arm out from under the covers to slap it dead.
It took three tries.
Typical.
When I finally peeled my eyes open, the sun was already pouring through the curtains, painting golden stripes across the floor.
The world outside looked... normal.
I, however, felt anything but normal.
Today was the day.
My first day back at school since everything that had happened — the visions, the blood, the birthday disaster — and I felt like I was walking straight into a battlefield without any armor.
My heart thudded against my ribs as I sat up slowly, wincing at the ache still lingering deep in my bones.
Summer break was technically ending tomorrow, but since most people were already back prepping for new schedules and activities, I figured — why not rip the Band-Aid off early?
Bad idea.
Very bad idea.
Still, sitting here doing nothing would only make it worse.
With a heavy sigh, I dragged myself out of bed.
The bathroom was already warm and humid from the early summer heat.
The tiles under my bare feet felt deliciously cold.
I twisted the tap, letting steaming hot water gush into the bathtub.
It made no sense — it was already hot outside — but somehow, the idea of scalding heat wrapping around me felt like a shield.
A comfort.
Steam fogged up the mirror quickly.
In the blurred reflection, I barely recognized myself.
The girl staring back at me looked... thinner.
Paler.
Her eyes — my eyes — seemed darker somehow, shadows pooling underneath them.
I stepped into the tub, the water biting at first, but soon melting the stiffness out of my body.
I leaned back, closed my eyes, and let the water swallow me whole.
Maybe if I stayed here long enough, the day would just... skip.
Maybe when I climbed out, everything would be fine.
Maybe I could be fine again.
The water sloshed quietly around me as I hugged my knees to my chest.
I stayed there until the water turned lukewarm.
Until my fingers wrinkled.
Until there were no more excuses left.
Getting dressed felt like suiting up for war.
I picked my simplest outfit — faded jeans, a loose white tee, sneakers — nothing flashy, nothing to attract more attention.
Even though Liam's maid suggested me a thousand options of various dress, jeans, shirts, t-shirt and tops etc.
But I still chose those which I told mom to bring me.
I braided my hair loosely over one shoulder, letting a few strands fall into my face to hide behind.
No makeup.
Even though there was a full makeup team to dress me up.
No jewelry.
Even though there was a room full of them, gold, diamonds, pearls and etc.
No mask.
If they were going to stare, they could stare at the real me.
Breakfast was a rushed affair. Mom was here at Liam's house to accompany and motivate me with her epic Eden Blanders food.
A slice of burnt toast.
A gulp of orange juice.
My hands trembled so badly, I almost dropped the glass.
Mom hovered nearby, pretending to organize papers on the counter, but really just watching me like a hawk.
"You don't have to go if you're not ready," she said gently, her voice cracking the careful silence.
I forced a smile, swallowing down the lump in my throat.
"I have to go," I whispered.
Otherwise, I'd never go back at all.
She crossed the kitchen in three quick steps and pulled me into a hug.
"I'm proud of you," she whispered into my hair.
I nodded against her shoulder, squeezing my eyes shut.
The car ride was a blur.
Liam drove, of course — the silent guardian he had somehow become in my life without me even asking.
Peter and Chloe squeezed into the backseat with me.
Chloe kept up a steady stream of nervous chatter, talking about everything and nothing, filling up the silence with her bright, chaotic energy.
Peter didn't say much, but his knee kept brushing against mine every time we hit a bump.
Each time, he didn't pull away.
Each time, my heart thudded a little harder.
When we finally pulled up outside school, my stomach twisted itself into an anxious knot.
I clutched my bag tightly, staring at the building like it was some ancient, crumbling castle filled with dragons.
"I can still turn around and kidnap you," Liam joked lightly, trying to break the tension.
I smiled at him — a real smile this time.
"Thanks," I said.
"But I think I have to face the dragons sometime."
Peter squeezed my hand under the seat where no one could see.
"You're stronger than you think," he murmured.
We climbed out of the car.
The sun was too bright.
The air felt too heavy.
Everything smelled of sweat and cut grass and anxiety.
Every step toward the school gates felt like walking into quicksand.
And then — just like that —
the staring started.
)
The second I stepped through the school gates, a hush fell over the courtyard. It was as if the world paused for just a breath before the storm.
I could feel the weight of every pair of eyes on me — it was suffocating, like a thick, invisible blanket that had been thrown over me.
The whispers started immediately.
"Isn't that Emma? I heard she nearly died."
"She looks… different. Like she's barely here."
"Do you think she remembers everything? What happened to her?"
I tried to keep my head down, walking quickly toward the main building, hoping to make it to the safety of the hallway before the inevitable happened.
But I knew — I always knew — it wouldn't be that easy.
I heard footsteps behind me — heavy and deliberate.
I tried to ignore it, but when I turned a corner, I ran straight into them.
A group of girls, led by none other than Lucy, a girl who had always had it out for me. Her smirk was as sharp as ever, and her friends flanked her, waiting for her cue.
"Look who decided to show up," Lucy sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You must be really brave, coming back after all that... drama."
The other girls giggled behind her, like a chorus of hyenas.
I clenched my fists, trying not to react, but they could feel the tension in the air. They were waiting for me to snap, to show weakness.
"Are you sure you're alright?" another girl piped up, her voice sweet but fake.
"After all that blood... I mean, we all heard what happened. How you couldn't even move? Bet you cried. I would have."
I swallowed hard, not trusting myself to speak. My throat felt tight, my heartbeat thunderous in my ears.
It wasn't just them this time — it was everyone. I could feel the eyes of boys too, leaning in from the other side of the hallways, whispering, watching. Their words were just as cutting, just as poisonous.
One guy, who I vaguely recognized from gym class, looked me up and down, making a show of checking me out. "You're still a little shaky, huh? Is it true? Couldn't even stand up last time?"
More laughs.
The air felt thick with judgment, suffocating me, pressing down on my chest.
But I stayed quiet. I had to.
I didn't want to make it worse. I didn't want to feed into it.
I looked away, my gaze finding the nearest exit — a hallway to the right — and I walked toward it.
I tried to ignore the laughter that followed me, the muttered comments.
But they followed me still.
The boys, now emboldened, joined in.
One of them stepped in front of me as I passed, blocking my way. His smirk was nothing short of cruel.
"You look like you're made of glass. Breakable. Shouldn't you be wrapped in bubble wrap or something?"
His friends laughed behind him.
One of them said "Geez! She became even more flat, guess Peter still likes her."
I could feel my cheeks and eyes burning to shout and cry, but I didn't want to show them the effect they had on me.
The hallway ahead of me was still a good distance away. Every step felt like an eternity.
My mind raced, and my body felt heavier with every second. The bullying was relentless, the words like stones thrown at me, hitting their target, leaving bruises.
Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I saw him.
Edward.
He wasn't supposed to be here, not in this moment, but there he was — standing tall by the lockers, eyes narrowed, fists clenched.
He had been watching from the shadows, waiting for a moment like this.
Edward wasn't loud or brash like the others. But his presence was enough to make the bullies hesitate.
He stepped forward, his voice calm but sharp.
"Alright, that's enough," he said, his eyes locking with the boy who had been teasing me.
The boy sneered. "What's your problem, Edward? She's the one who's weak, right? Just like her powers."
The words hit hard, harder than I thought they would.
But Edward didn't flinch. His jaw tightened, and without saying another word, he shoved past the boy, putting himself between me and the group.
He didn't need to say anything else — it was clear that he wasn't afraid of standing up for me.
"Leave her alone," he said firmly, looking the boy directly in the eye.
The bully scoffed but saw the unyielding look in Edward's gaze. The others behind him hesitated too, sensing that this wasn't something they wanted to escalate.
They finally backed off, muttering under their breath, but I could still hear the taunts.
Edward stayed with me, walking by my side as the crowd dispersed.
When we were far enough from the chaos, he glanced at me. "You good?"
I didn't answer right away.
Instead, I just nodded, the weight in my chest still heavy.
"Don't let them get to you," Edward said, his voice softer now.
But I could hear the genuine concern in it, something deeper than just the need to be the hero.
I couldn't help but feel a tiny bit lighter in his presence, but the damage had been done.
---
By the time I reached the classroom, I felt the eyes on me again, but this time, they were different.
The whispers were quieter now, softer, but just as judgmental.
Some kids tried to offer fake smiles, but it was too obvious — too forced.
It made me feel even more out of place.
Peter and Chloe were nowhere in sight yet, and I had no idea how long I could hold it together before I broke.
---
And then the bell rang, signaling the start of the first class.
The noise died down, and students scattered to their seats, but the feeling didn't go away.
I was the odd one out, the one with the past that no one understood. The one who'd been through things no one could fathom.
I sank into my seat, praying that the day would pass quickly, but deep down, I knew this was just the beginning.
---
As the class started, I caught Edward's eye from across the room.
He gave me a small, reassuring smile.
I didn't know why, but it made me feel a little less alone in that moment.
---
But I wasn't ready for what was coming. Not yet.