Chapter 1- first day of middle school

Riley Pov

It was my very first day of middle school. I was a trembling wreck, consumed by anxiousness. I found myself surrounded by a sea of unfamiliar faces; a few students from my elementary school attended the same school, but we were no longer on speaking terms after the incident that occurred during our graduation.

A horrifying video was leaked by Carter, capturing their merciless torture of me. The depths of my despair reached my father's awareness when some kids from my brother Myles' school stumbled upon the video and Myles, in turn, showed it to our father.

Enraged by the injustice, my father reported the incident to the police, hoping for some sort of justice. However, the law failed us miserably, chalking it up to their status as minors. In the end, they received nothing more than a symbolic slap on the wrist and a two-month stay in a boot camp, except for Carter, who was mysteriously pardoned by the very mayor who happened to be his grandfather. My father's fury knew no bounds, yet it was futile as there seemed to be no course of action against these people.

Carter, being the mayor's grandson, possessed an invincibility that shielded him from any consequences. To make matters worse, his father was a notorious gang leader, an intimidating force, ensuring that anyone who dared to confront them would meet their untimely demise.

The rest of the summer became a blur, an indistinguishable haze of darkness. My older sister Hortencia, upon discovering my attempt to end my own life, promptly got me into therapy.

As I reluctantly entered the classroom, a sea of eyes fixated on me, intensifying my already heightened anxiety. And then, amongst the swirling chaos, our gazes locked. It was a person I thought I'd never have to encounter again. It was Adam.

Adam's face lit up with a wide grin upon seeing me. Finally taking my seat, the teacher instructed everyone to introduce themselves to the class. Nervously, I managed to muster a few words, "Hey... my name is Riley and I'm almost twelve. I love reading and the rain," I said as I sat down.

Adam interjected, "Who taught you to read Riley? Guys, she's lying!" which prompted laughter amongst the students. Ignoring him, I continued to introduce myself.

Suddenly during first period, Adam began spreading a false rumor about me that I once tried to set our old school on fire. Surprisingly, everyone believed him even the principal who threatened to have me arrested if I were to attempt such a feat at this school.

Feeling completely alone, I only found comfort in my brother Myles and my childhood friend Lola as everyone else distanced themselves from me. Then while out during lunch hours, Adam bumped into me and muttered, "Dumb little bastard". I retaliated by throwing an ice cream cone at him which quickly escalated into a physical altercation. Myles and Lola rushed to pull us apart and I yelled, "Just stay away from me!"

Everyone was staring at me, so I quickly ran away in tears on my way to class. The principal stopped me and asked why I was crying; Adam had already informed him that I had attacked him. Trying to explain myself, nobody believed me, and he immediately called my mom. I was then punished for my actions.

All throughout the day, Adam continued to taunt and tease me with his newfound friends. I couldn't bear it anymore so I hid in the bathroom until the day was over. Even Myles and Lola abandoned me, refusing to risk ruining their chances of fitting in with the other students.

On the way home, Adam confronted me and said, "I'll make your life a living nightmare." I kept walking, but a few kids laughed in the distance. When I arrived home, my mom struck me, demanding to know why I hadn't behaved better at school.

"Didn't i tell you to behave yourself at school" she said. Crying, I tried to explain what had happened, but she refused to listen. "I didn't do anything they lied mommy, I didn't do anything." She refused to listen.

She grabbed a belt and repeatedly struck me until my hand accidentally grabbed it. Screaming and begging her to stop, I apologized and said I wished I had never been born. Afterwards, I lied on the ground in a numb state.

"I'm sorry, I wish Mommy, I wish wasn't born." I said forgive me I begged whimpering.

When I woke up, I was in my room and my sister Hortencia was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Are you okay Riles" she asked with a warm smile.

I replied softly "My throat hurts, but I'm okay, i used to this" I said. "I wish could take custody of you but I've got my own problems" she said.

"It's fine, I don't want to be a burden to you anyways, close the door when you leave, I'm gonna sleep for a while" I said.

She asked if I was okay and I replied that my throat hurt and I was used to it. She wanted to take custody of me, but she had her own problems and I would have just been a burden. I told her to close the door when she left, and I fell asleep.

Hortencia had been married four times and had five children along with a lazy husband. My dad was now married to his mistress, whom he had left my mom for. She hated me, and Dad had suggested I stay with my mom for my own safety, despite the fact that I would be more in danger here. His other children didn't even know I existed. When they finally met me, they said that I was the bastard child who had ruined the marriage of their parents.

When I woke up, my mom was smoking a cigarette while eating and drinking with her friends. "Mistake didn't i tell you not come out that room?" she said to me. "I'm sorry Mommy, I wanted a glass of water, I'm thirsty" i said softly. "Hurry up and get out of my sight" she yelled.

She yelled at me for leaving my room and I apologized, saying I just wanted a glass of water. I then retreated to my room, where I wrote in my diary about the day. I wished I could be free from the abuse and torment I faced every day.  My tears stung as I whispered to myself, "I wish I had an ordinary life."

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