📢 Author's Note:
Hey readers! 👀 After "The Final Gift," something BIG is coming… but I won't reveal it just yet. Stay till the end of the story, and you'll find out the name of my next book. Trust me, you don't want to miss it. 🔥
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THE FINAL GIFT
By Maya
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Chapter 1: Shadows of Solitude
Mira sat alone on a weathered bench in the crowded school courtyard, poking at a bowl of instant noodles with a plastic fork. The noise around her—laughter, chatter, and footsteps—felt distant, like she was in her own world, separated from everyone else. She didn't fit in here, not like the others.
Her parents, struggling to make ends meet, had sent her to this school. They couldn't afford anything better. Mira didn't mind. It was just part of life. Still, she often wished things could be different.
Then, out of nowhere, the laughter from a group of girls nearby stopped. Mira's heart skipped a beat. She knew what was coming. The girls, led by Ana, the queen of cruelty, were walking toward her. Ana always had that look—like she was on the hunt.
"Oh my gosh," Ana's voice rang out. "Look at this. Instant noodles? You're so pathetic."
The other girls giggled, their voices sharp with mockery. Mira felt heat rush to her cheeks. She didn't have time to respond before one of the girls added, "Ew, how gross. Don't you ever eat something better? Oh wait, you're poor."
Mira's stomach twisted with embarrassment, but she forced herself to meet their eyes. "Can you just leave me alone?"
Ana's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. "What did you say?"
Before Mira could react, Ana grabbed her hair, yanking her forward. The noodles spilled onto the ground. Mira's body jerked as Ana pressed her foot down on the mess, grinding it into the dirt. Pain shot through Mira's scalp, but it was nothing compared to the rush of humiliation flooding her chest.
Ana leaned down, her breath hot against Mira's ear. "What did you just say?" she hissed.
Around them, students watched in silence, some trying to hold back their laughter, others eager to see what would happen next. Mira's throat tightened, and her voice cracked as she whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Please, just leave me alone."
Ana let go of Mira's hair, but only to pick up a thick hardcover book from her bag. With a cruel smile, she threw it at Mira's face. The book struck her cheek, and Mira winced, feeling the sharp sting of the corner digging into her skin. Blood began to trickle from the cut.
"Finish all my assignments by tomorrow, or else," Ana said, her tone cold and indifferent. Without another word, she turned and walked away, her followers trailing behind her like mindless shadows.
Mira sat there for a long moment, stunned. Her face burned with humiliation. Her cheek throbbed, and the warm trickle of blood made her head spin. She quickly picked up her things, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Mira dragged herself to the restroom. The buzzing fluorescent lights above flickered as she splashed cold water on her face, ignoring the stares of students passing by. The cut on her cheek stung, but it was the emotional pain that hurt the most.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Mira tried to steady her breath. You made it through today, she told herself. But deep down, she knew that tomorrow would probably be the same. Maybe worse.
And yet, something inside her shifted. Maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.
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To be continued...
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