Chapter 3 New Beginnings

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Starting a new school was never easy for Lila. By now, she'd done it enough times to know the drill: show up, keep her head down, and mind her business. Most kids ignored her, and the few who didn't usually just made things awkward with forced smiles or questions that felt more like curiosity than care. But this time, she had Lucy by her side, and that made all the difference.

The morning began with Maria pulling up to the school, giving Lila and Lucy a reassuring smile as they unbuckled. "Remember, just be yourselves. And if you need anything, call me. I'll be right here after school."

Lucy gave Lila a confident grin and squeezed her hand. "You ready?"

Lila glanced up at the wide, bustling entrance. Kids were laughing and chatting in groups, some pushing through the doors while others lingered outside. Usually, she felt like a stranger in these situations, just passing through. But with Lucy's hand in hers, today felt different and lighter, somehow. "Yeah," she said, offering a small but genuine smile. "Let's do this."

As they walked through the doors, Lila kept her gaze steady, ignoring the curious glances sent her way. Lucy, unfazed, was practically bouncing with excitement. "I'm so glad you're finally here! Now I can show you around, introduce you to my friends, and maybe even get you to sit with us at lunch."

The thought of a lunch table with people who wanted her there felt foreign and thrilling. "Sounds good," Lila said, keeping her voice steady.

In her first class, she was relieved to find herself beside Lucy, whose familiar presence felt like a grounding anchor in the sea of new faces. Their teacher, Ms. Taylor, called the class to order, introducing Lila as the "new student" before starting the lesson. There was a polite murmur of interest, but when Lila caught Lucy's encouraging grin, the nervous flutter in her stomach eased.

Between classes, Lucy took her on a whirlwind tour, chatting away as they roamed through crowded hallways and classrooms. She introduced Lila to some of her classmates, who surprised her by welcoming her with genuine smiles, treating her like someone they'd known for months rather than minutes. Lucy's energy was infectious, and Lila found herself relaxing, the usual awkwardness she felt as "the new girl" melting away. When the bell rang for lunch, she felt lighter, almost excited.

The cafeteria was as loud and crowded as any she'd seen, but Lucy led her with unshakeable confidence to a table at the back, where a small group was already gathered. Lila took a deep breath, bracing herself for the awkwardness she usually faced in these situations. But when Lucy plopped down and introduced her as "my sister, treat her like a queen," everyone shuffled around to make space, smiling like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The word "sister" caught Lila off guard, but it warmed her, too. She wasn't used to it yet, but she liked how it sounded in Lucy's voice, confident, certain as if it were already true.

A girl with curly hair named Emma offered her a warm smile. "Welcome to the table, Lila. Lucy's told us a lot about you. Glad you're here."

Lila smiled back, her heart swelling. "Thanks. Glad to be here, too."

The conversation picked up, with everyone sharing stories about weekend plans, favorite teachers, and little jokes only they seemed to understand. They asked for Lila's opinions, laughed at her jokes, and shared their own embarrassing stories, pulling her into their circle as if she'd always been a part of it. She was just... there, included. Lucy sat beside her, grinning as if to say, See? I told you this would be great.

The rest of the day flew by. And by the time the final bell rang, Lila felt lighter than she had in months, the familiar tension in her shoulders loosened by a day that had felt surprisingly... normal. She waited by the lockers for Lucy, and when she finally showed up, her smile was radiant.

"Did you have a good day?" Lucy asked, bouncing with excitement.

Lila considered the question, her smile turning real. "Actually, yeah. I think I did."

Lucy beamed, grabbing Lila's hand as they headed out to the parking lot. Maria's car was already waiting, and as they climbed in, Lucy launched into a play-by-play of the day, describing everything they'd done with animated enthusiasm. Maria listened, laughing at Lucy's stories and nodding along as Lila added her details.

When they got home, the smell of garlic and herbs wafted through the air, filling the house with a warmth that made Lila's stomach growl. Ethan and Nate were in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and stirring a pot on the stove. She hadn't realized how good it would feel to come back to a place that felt like a home.

"So, how was the first day?" Ethan asked, glancing over his shoulder with a warm smile.

"Pretty great, actually," Lila said, catching Lucy's huge, knowing grin. "Thanks to my little tour guide here."

Ethan chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Lucy's hair. "She tends to have that effect on people."

Dinner that night was a mix of laughter and chatter about school, classes, and upcoming events. Lila felt herself slipping into the rhythm of their conversation with surprising ease. It wasn't like past dinners she'd experienced, where she'd been expected to be polite and quiet, where every laugh had felt like something temporary, something fragile. Here, it felt real.

Later that night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, Lila felt something shift inside her. The day had been... good. On her first day in a new school, she didn't feel like she was tiptoeing, trying not to be noticed. She felt like she could just be herself, and that was enough.

Closing her eyes, she let the comfort of that thought wrap around her like a warm blanket. She was starting to feel like she belonged.

But as she drifted off to sleep, a faint sound broke the silence. Voices, hushed and urgent, carried through the walls. She sat up, straining to hear. The voices were low, but there was an edge to them that made her heart race.

Lila slipped out of bed, moving carefully across the room. She crept toward the door, pressing her ear to it, holding her breath to catch every word. It was Ethan's voice, unmistakably tense, though she couldn't make out the words. Then, a softer, worried tone-Maria.

What could they be talking about so late at night? Lila's mind raced, scenarios flashing through her mind. Maybe it was nothing- grown-ups argued all the time, right? But her gut told her this was different, that whatever they were discussing was important, maybe even dangerous.

Just as she was about to inch the door open and peek out, she heard Maria's voice break through, clearer this time. "We can't let her find out, Ethan. Not yet. It's too soon."

A chill ran down Lila's spine. Find out what? Her mind spun with possibilities, each one darker than the last. Did they mean her? What were they keeping from her?

She crept back to bed, her mind whirling. Lying there in the dark, the warmth and safety she'd felt earlier felt suddenly fragile, like something she could lose at any moment. She hugged her knees to her chest, a knot of worry settling in her stomach.

With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes, trying to push away the unease that had taken root. But as sleep finally pulled her under, one thought remained, echoing in the back of her mind.

What are they hiding from me? And why?