School was supposed to be my escape.
That's what I told myself every morning when I walked through the gates, wearing a smile that never reached my heart.
I sat beside Inisha, my notebook open, pretending to listen to the teacher. Inside, my thoughts were loud. I felt watched. I always did.
"Hey, Aruna."
My body stiffened.
I slowly turned around. Hema was standing there, arms crossed, a mocking smile on her lips. Her friends stood behind her, already laughing.
"So," she said sweetly, "do you enjoy the attention?"
"I don't know what you mean," I replied softly.
"Oh really?" Hema leaned closer. "Everyone saw Rivan looking at you yesterday."
My heart pounded—not because of Rivan, but because I knew where this was going.
Before I could speak, Inisha stood up.
"Leave her alone, Hema," she said firmly. "She didn't do anything to you."
The classroom fell silent.
Hema laughed. "Wow. Now she needs protection?" Her eyes turned sharp as they landed on Inisha. "You think defending her makes you brave?"
"I don't like bullies," Inisha replied calmly. "That's all."
That was when I noticed someone else.
A girl stood a few desks away, watching quietly. Our eyes met for a second. There was concern in hers. She took a small step forward, as if she wanted to say something.
Later, I would learn her name was Maira.
But before she could speak, Hema scoffed. "Fine. Both of you against me? Let's see how long that lasts."
From that day on, the bullying didn't stop.
Whispers followed us in the corridors. Someone hid our notebooks. Someone laughed when Inisha slipped in the hallway. Every laugh felt like a cut.
"I'm sorry," I whispered to Inisha one afternoon. "Because of me—"
She grabbed my hand tightly. "Stop. I chose this. And I'd choose you again."
Her words warmed me, even when everything else felt cold.
Sometimes, I noticed Maira watching from a distance. She never laughed. Never whispered. Once, when my books were pushed to the floor, she knelt beside me and helped pick them up without a word.
That small kindness stayed with me.
One day, near the stairs, I heard shouting.
"Why don't you like me?" Hema yelled.
Rivan looked uncomfortable. "Because I don't," he said simply. "Please stop this."
He walked away.
Hema's eyes found me.
And I knew—I was the reason for her anger.
That night, the house felt heavy again.
Mom and Dad were fighting in the living room, their voices loud and angry. The same words. The same blame.
My chest tightened.
"Adhi?" I called softly.
No answer.
Panic rushed through me. I ran toward the door and saw him outside the house, sitting on the steps, his knees pulled to his chest.
"Adhi!" I rushed to him and knelt down. "Why are you here?"
He looked up at me, his eyes full of tears. "I was scared," he whispered. "They were shouting again."
My heart broke.
I pulled him into my arms. "I'm here," I said softly. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"Did we do something wrong?" he asked.
"No," I said quickly, my voice shaking. "Never. This is not because of us."
But even as I said it, I felt the lie burn in my throat.
I held him close, listening to the shouting inside the house.
Different place.
Same pain.
That night, lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling.
At school, I smiled.
At home, I stayed quiet.
Inside, I was breaking.
And a thought scared me more than anything else—
If this is only the beginning… how much more can I survive?
Author note:
Thank you so much for reading if you like this chapter, please leave a comment or add the story to your library.your support really motivates me 💫