Author's Preface
I love you, Bryan.
I love you too…
Lia smiles in her sleep, her heart fluttering as she hears those words.
Lia, get up! It’s time to get ready for school
Bryan is waiting for you downstairs!!!
Her eyes snap open
Oh… it’s a dream, she murmurs softly, disappointment washing over her face. But then a small smile forms. Still, I’m going to make it my reality. Today is Valentine’s Day
She sits up excitedly
Yes, Today it’s finally happening My one-sided love of the past ten years…
I’m going to confess today. Oh my God !!, I can’t believe this is really happening
Bryan aka her childhood friend, her neighbor, and her constant companion for the last ten years. From kindergarten to high school, he has walked with her to school every single day. Honestly, he was the one and only reason she never skipped school.
Oh shit… he’s waiting for me!
She rushes to get ready, her hands trembling with nervous excitement, and quickly runs downstairs
Sorry, Bryan. Did you wait for long?
He smiles at her. For you, I can wait a lifetime
She narrows her eyes at him
What’s with this flirting? Bryan, what did you do this time?
Nothing! Just… calm down, he replies quickly
She continues staring at him suspiciously
Oo-okay! Don’t look at me like that. It’s just
He hesitates. I can’t go to dinner with you today
Wh??
But I promise I’ll make it up to you next time
I promise
…Okay, Lia says quietly, forcing a smile
But this was the first time in ten years that he had rejected her
Every Valentine’s Day, they had a tradition of going to a restaurant together. It was their thing. And now, suddenly, it was broken
--far aside--
Help me… someone please help me!!!
Bryan, look there..
It’s Raven
Raven aka the school bully
Raven had his hand wrapped around someone’s neck, slamming the boy against the wall. His eyes were filled with rage
For a moment, Raven’s cold eyes met Lia’s
Her heart skipped a beat
Then he turned away and continued hitting the boy mercilessly
Lia, don’t look over there, Bryan says urgently, quickly covering her eyes
What do you mean don’t look? she snaps, pulling his hand away
This needs to be addressed! I’m going to complain to the school. He has crossed the limit
No, Lia. This is not our problem. And you know he’s a bully
What?
She looks at him in disbelief. Bryan, I didn’t expect this from you. And you know this is not the first time he’s doing something like this. I’m going to raise a complaint against him
That’s it!!
Without waiting for his response, she storms toward the principal’s office
She enters the room, her heart pounding, and files a complaint against Raven
And with that single decision, everything begins to change