Suddenly, Ellen's voice broke through our amusement. "Bryan, I think we should go now. My parents will be expecting me.

As abruptly as it started, our laughter died down. Bryan frowned. "That's exactly why I said you should come with your driver. I wanted to spend more time with Mara. I can't leave her in this state," he insisted, his eyes filled with concern.

"My parents will be worried sick if I get home late," Ellen said, glaring at Bryan

"Alright, alright," Bryan sighed, reaching into his pocket. "Here, have some cash for a cab."

"Ugh, you know how much I hate cabs!" Ellen exclaimed, rolling her eyes.

"Fine," Bryan conceded. "My driver will drop you off first, then come back for me."

"Bryan!" Ellen yelled in frustration, while he just raised an eyebrow in response.

"Okay, Bryan, you two are free to leave now. Just go with Ellen, I'll be fine," I said, forcing a smile.

"No way, Mara," Bryan insisted, his smile fading. "I want to spend more time with you. We didn't see each other the whole holiday, and you didn't even come to my house party! I've missed you."

"I missed you too, Bryan," I replied softly, "but we'll see each other at school tomorrow. You two should leave together, okay? I need to rest."

Bryan shrugged and shot Ellen a withering look. "Wow," I thought sadly, "They're barely acting like they're even dating." A pang of longing shot through me as I wished I could be in Ellen's shoes. I fantasized about making Bryan fall head over heels for me, but I knew that was a foolish dream. Bryan wouldn't be mine again. With a heavy heart, I pulled Ellen into a hug, then turned to Bryan and hugged him too. "Bye," I choked out, barely able to hold back my tears. I turned and ran up the stairs, my heart feels heavy with heartbreak.

The Next Morning

I sat at the dining table, dressed for school and picking at my breakfast.

"Mara, you're going with me to the hospital, right now!" Mom said firmly.

"Mom! Seriously? I'm fine," i raised my voice in response. I absolutely hate going to the hospital, and she knows it!

"Don't expect me to believe that. You were crying and burning up all yesterday, and wouldn't even eat! You're going to the hospital with me, and there's no arguing about it," Mom said.

"Mom," I called softly, knowing once she makes a decision, it's pretty much set in stone.

"Don't waste your breath," she responded firmly. "You're going to the hospital with me."

Ugh, Mom can be so stubborn. (I thought to myself)

"Mom, I was just having cramps yesterday, but I'm feeling fine now," I lied.

"Don't even try that with me," she said. "I know the signs of your cramps. You're going to the hospital, there's no arguing about it."

"But Mom, Mara's not a kid anymore," Liam interjected, a smile playing on my lips. "She said she's fine, so just let her be. She already missed the first day of school, do you really want her to miss the second one too? You know how far the teachers would have gone by now. If you're determined to take her to the hospital, it can wait until after she gets back from school."

I knew Mom couldn't resist Liam's logic.

Mom glanced at Liam before turning back to me. "Alright," she sighed, "but if you're still burning up or having a meltdown when you get back from school, you're going straight to the hospital. No ifs or buts." With that, she retreated back to the kitchen.

Liam and I exchanged a high-five, a playful chuckle bubbling from his lips. "Best brother ever," I declared.

He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Someone has to save you from Mom's wrath."

Liam is strikingly handsome, his eyes mirroring our mom's captivating depths, his nose sculpted with delicate precision, and full red lips that curved into a charming smile. His blonde hair, styled in a perpetual spiky mess, framed his face perfectly, and his athletic physique drew admiring glances from girls wherever we went. Unfortunately, it also fueled his reputation as a bad boy.

I couldn't help but hope that beneath the surface, there was more to him than just looks and popularity. I longed to see him shed the bad boy facade and embrace the positive aspects of his personality.

Despite his occasional rebellious streak, Liam's intelligence is off the charts. He consistently graduates with honors and even topped the entire university! Whenever he has free time, he patiently tutors me, especially in math. I understand his explanations far better than anything my teacher could teach. My brother is the absolute best!

"So now that I saved your butt from a hospital trip," he grinned. "So?" I asked, rolling my eyes dramatically. "Uh-huh... please don't tell Mom I threw a party here while she was in Italy," he pleaded.

"Oh, I'd completely forgotten about that, but thank goodness you reminded me! I'm going to tell Mom right now," I threatened playfully. "Come on, Mara, please," he begged. "Mom!" I called out.

I burst into laughter as he frantically covered my mouth with his hands to stop me from speaking.

"Damn it, Liam! Are you trying to suffocate me?" I rasped with his hand still clamped over my mouth.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" he blurted, hastily removing his hand.

Scowling, I declared, "I'm still telling Mom!"

Liam flashed his most charming grin. "Please, Mara. Okay, how about a pizza peace offering?"

Pizza is my absolute favorite, but today, it wasn't hitting the spot. "No," I said, to his utter shock. Refusing pizza was practically unheard of in my world.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Shawama? No? $200? Cappuccino? Strawberry cake? French baguette? Novels?" Liam rattled off a list of tempting treats, but each time, I shook my head.

With a furrowed brow, he sighed in exasperation. "What do you want then?"

"A new phone," I replied, a mischievous grin playing on my lips. Liam's eyes widened. "What happened to your phone?"

It slipped out of my hand and fell," I lied.

He shook his head and said, "Okay, done deal!".

"Really?" My eyes widened in surprise, a grin spreading across my face.

He winked. "Yep, just tell me the model you want, and you'll find it waiting on your bed when you get back from school."

"Aw, thanks, Liam!" I planted a kiss on each of his cheeks and excitedly told him the model I've been eyeing before hopping up from the dining chair.

"Bye, Mom!" I called out towards the kitchen.

"Bye, angel! Have a good day at school," came her reply.

Exiting the house, I greeted Max and hopped into the back seat of his car. As we drove away, I fell silent, my mind drifting back to yesterday's unsettling thoughts.

Finally, max pulled into the school parking lot, and brought the car to a gentle stop. I pushed open the door and stepped out, a walk down the hall to my Grade 9 classroom. Lockers lined both sides, their metallic doors adorned with stickers and graffiti.

The scent of freshly waxed floors mingled with students' murmur of chatter and burst of laughter. As I passed, heads whipped in my direction, curiosity glinting in their eyes. Whispers followed me like a swarm of autumn leaves caught in a sudden gust. "Isn't that Mara?" someone whispered, their voice barely a whisper. "Why is she so beautiful?" another chimed in. Their incessant whispers, laced with envy and curiosity. With a forced smile, I brushed them off, my steps quickening to my classroom.

As soon as I walked in, the room went pin-drop quiet. Everyone stared as if I were some kind of celebrity. Despite the curious stares drilling into me from all corners, I kept my head down in search for my seat name tag. Ignoring the whispers and wide-eyed glances, I scanned the rows of desks until I finally spotted it

Settling into my new seat, I hung my bag beside the table. The buzz of activity picked up again as people returned to their tasks. It felt different This new class feels like a whole different planet compared to eighth grade. Honestly, I'm kind of missing it. Grade 8 was my jam: spacious, airy, and with a window seat overlooking that dreamy garden. Fresh air, flower smells, the whole shebang. However, this place isn't bad i guess, it's got its own kind of beauty. Tons of chairs, desks, and lockers, all neatly lined up. Shiny whiteboard on the wall, some Cool posters thrown up, and even marble floors – fancy upgrade from ceramic tiles in eighth grade.

lost in my thoughts, a tap on my shoulder startled me back. Bryan and Ellen stood there, hand-in-hand. I blinked away tears that threatened to well up.

"Mara, how are you?" Bryan asked, messing with my hair like he always did.

I'm fine," I mumbled, the word tasting like ashes in my mouth.

"Come on, Mara, this isn't you. What's up?" he pressed.

"My heart screamed, 'It's you! You're the one sending me over the edge!" Ellen's gaze was sharp, her arms crossed protectively over Bryan's shoulder. My heart hammered in my chest, and tears welled up, blurring my vision. I tried to swallow them, burying my face in my arms on the desk

Mara, hey, what's happening? Why are you crying? Talk to us," Bryan's voice softened as he patted my back. The touch, though meant to comfort, sent shivers down my spine.

Bryan, if she doesn't want to talk, let her be. Ellen's voice was laced with a surprising indifference. Crying has its way of clearing the soul, so let her tears flow.

My head snapped up, disbelief clouding my vision. Is this still my Ellen? The one who always soothed my cries, whose embrace was my safe harbor? A choked sob escaped me as I reached for my handkerchief with my trembling fingers, the fabric cold against my burning cheeks. Each dab felt like a betrayal, a stark reminder of the stranger behind her familiar features.

"I'm okay," I mumbled, my voice thick with a lump I couldn't swallow. Bryan's hand reached out, hovering over mine, but his question, "Mara, are you sure?" died on his lips as the teacher walked in.

Everyone scrambled back to their seats, a flurry of nervous energy.

It was then I noticed Bryan and Ellen's seats were next to mine — Ellen to his right, sandwiching him between us. Turning my gaze, I spotted an empty seat beside me, the name "Kelly Yates" boldly emblazoned on the nameplate. Looks like we're getting another classmate.

Good morning, class," she greeted.

Good morning, Miss Ardsley," the class chorused, their voices a patchwork of eagerness and apprehension. Some leaned forward, eyes sparkling with anticipation, while others shuffled in their seats, brows furrowed in anxiety.

A faint smile played on Miss Ardsley's lips, its warmth barely reaching her gaze. "Alright everyone," she announced, her voice firm but not unkind. "Let's take a quick look back at yesterday's work. To refresh your memories," she confidently grabbed a marker, then turned to the board and began writing.

The classroom went dead quiet as Miss Ardsley turned from the whiteboard. All eyes were glued to the equation that now dominated the white board.

A flicker of recognition flashed through my mind as I looked at the equation. Liam had taught me something similar, but the details remained frustratingly fuzzy in the corners of my mind.

"I need a brave volunteer to tackle this equation on the board," she said.

Didn't Ms. Ardsley just teach them this yesterday? Why isn't anyone standing up?" I wondered, scanning the bewildered faces. Even Bryan, the brain of the class, seemed stumped. Suddenly, Ellen's voice boomed across the room, "Mara!" Her finger jabbed directly at me. "She says she can solve it!" she declared. My breath hitched as eyes turned to me.

"But Ms. Ardsley, she wasn't even here yesterday!" Bryan interjected, throwing Ellen a bewildered look. "It doesn't matter," Ellen countered, her voice firm. "She just told me she can help. Let's give her a chance."

Just as Bryan was about to step in again, I took a deep breath and cut him off. "I can solve it!" I declared, my voice a little shaky.

He arched an eyebrow, skeptical. "Really?"

I met his gaze with a firm nod.

Wiping away the tears blurring my vision, I took a few deep breaths, trying to recall Liam's patient explanation.

Then, I grabbed the marker and started working, step-by-step.

It wasn't easy. I made a lot of mistakes, erasing and trying again. But with each attempt, I felt a little closer. Finally, after a tense few minutes, I solved the problem.

I dropped the marker and hurried back to my chair. After a moment of silence, Miss Adsley confirmed with a "Correct!" A wave of applause washed over me, and Bryan greeted me with a grin and a high five. My face broke into a wide smile as I settled down, feeling the warmth of excited gazes from all corners of the classroom.

"Wow, you surprised me! What's your full name?" Miss Ardsley asked.

"Tamara Weston," I replied shyly.

"That's incredible, Tamara! You weren't here when we covered this topic, yet you solved it perfectly. Very encouraging!"

"Thanks, Miss Ardsley!" I beamed.

"Class," Miss Ardsley called out. Everyone answered, "Yes, Miss Ardsley!"

"Don't you think Tamara deserves a chance to be our class representative?" Miss Ardsley asked.

"Yessss!" the whole class cheered loudly, clapping their hands. My jaw dropped in surprise.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ellen fiddling with her fingers, her brow furrowed and eyes narrowed. She wasn't happy, that was clear.

The excitement calmed as Miss Ardsley clapped her hands. "Alright, let's dive into today's topic!" she declared, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. She grabbed a marker and started writing on the board like a professional, making sure everything was crystal clear. Every explanation was punctuated by a pause, her gaze sweeping across the room to ensure no one was left behind. All heads were nodding eagerly.

Finally, it was time for her exit. "See you tomorrow, class!" she called out, a smile crinkling the corners of her eyes.

"See you tomorrow, Miss Ardsley!" we chorused back, our voices echoing in the now-quiet classroom.

As soon as Miss Adsley walked out, Bryan leaned over and whispered, "Fatty Mara did it!" I couldn't help myself. I giggled, then burst into full-blown laughter when he started tickling me. It felt amazing, happier than I could ever remember.

Tbc..