Chapter 5 ASHES AND EMBERS

The late afternoon sun shone gently through the tall windows of Rosewood Elite Class, a place for the best students and children from rich families. The walls were cream colored and shiny, with gold decorations and fancy moldings. The furniture looked like it belonged in a five star hotel well polished wood with glass tops, soft leather chairs in royal blue, and long velvet curtains in light blue. Each desk had a screen built into the wood for private reading and lessons.

A small but elegant chandelier hung in the middle of the room, casting a warm light over the students sitting in neat rows.

Miss Carolina, the class's kind but firm teacher, dropped her pen and looked up from her lesson notes with a gentle smile.

"I'll be stepping out for a few minutes," she said. "Please use this time wisely to read your book. No noise."

As soon as the door closed behind her, quiet talking started. People whispered to each other across the room. At the back, Zayne leaned toward Jayden and Marcus. The three of them shared looks that were mixed with doubt, hope, and worry.

Jayden was the first to move. He slipped out of his seat and made his way over to Hope's desk.

She looked up, well guarded with her posture well straightened.

"Hope," he began softly, "we were wondering if you'd try to come to Zayne's game night tonight please......"

She looked up. "Game night?"

"Yeah," Zayne chimed in as he approached from behind. "It's tradition. Just some games, snacks, music... nothing crazy. And we'll be there the whole time."

Marcus added quickly, "We promise we'll keep you safe. No tricks and no surprises."

Before she could respond, a sarcastic voice cut through the air.

"Of course, come, princess," Aria called from her corner seat, her voice laced with poison. "There won't be any issue at all."

Her lips curved into a smile that didn't hide her disgust. Beside her, Bella and Tina giggled.

Hope hesitated, glancing between the boys and Aria. She wasn't sure what kind of trap was waiting, but she wasn't naive either.

"I'll ask my parents," she said cautiously. "But I'm not promising anything."

As Jayden, Marcus and Zayne returned to their seat, a folded piece of paper was slided across her desk. She unfolded it to see Jayden's handwriting.

Please come. I promise to keep you safe. I really want you there.

She bit her lip, heart skipping a little despite the warning bells in her mind.

While hope was heading back home, she was stopped by Aria and her friend's.

"Aria" I'm so sorry the way I behaved earlier on she stated with a fake smile on her face. Tina and Bella shrug and smile.

Hope deeply thinking on if the apology was really genuine or just a trap they were setting for her. She responded that she has forgiven them.

Aria smiled slyly as she approached Hope. "There's a theme for the game night," she said with a soft but sharp voice. "It's spooky and eerie, something that will really stand out. You'll want to dress to scare." She gave Hope a quick look, a spark of mischief in her eyes.

Hope replied; if it's the theme that wouldn't be an issue she resorted back.

The sun was going down when Hope got to her neighborhood. The rich world behind her changed to a simpler place with cracked sidewalks, rusty fences, and small old brick houses close together. Her home was at the end of the street. It was a plain two-bedroom house with fading white paint, a creaky front step, and a porch light that flickered when the wind blew. There were flower pots by the door, cared for but looking tired, and the smell of fried peppers came from the small kitchen window.

Inside, the living room was cozy but cramped. A faded floral sofa sat opposite a tiny box TV resting on a second-hand wooden stand. The curtains were handmade by her mother, a dull rose color with tiny stitched patterns. Family pictures were hung neatly along one wall, and though the place was worn, it was filled with warmth and care.

Hope's mother, Mrs. Maria Davies, hummed in the kitchen as she stirred a pot of stew. Her dark hair was tied into a scarf, and her hands moved with practiced grace. Her father, Mr. Thomas Davies, sat on the couch, sipping lukewarm tea from a chipped mug, laughing at one of her mother's old jokes.

Hope stepped in and cleared her throat.

"Mom, Dad... there's something I need to tell you."

They both looked up.

"Some of the students at school invited me to a game night. At Zayne's house."

Her mother smiled faintly. "That's wonderful, Hope. You should go."

Hope hesitated. "I told them no. I don't think I fit in... not in their world. They live differently. They're... rich."

Thomas leaned forward, brows raised. "Now, don't say that."

Maria crossed the room and gently cupped her daughter's face. "There's no such thing as 'their world' and 'ours', baby. Don't let money decide where you belong. Everyone breathes the same air, bleeds the same blood. You deserve to have fun like anyone else."

Her father nodded. "And besides, you said it's Zayne's house? Those boys seem decent. We want you to make memories."

Hope bit her lip. "There's something else. Aria Richmond will be there."

At once, both parents straightened.

"The Richmonds?" her father said, suddenly pleased. That's even more reason to go. The Richmond family has always had a good name and a reputable character.

Hope stayed silent. She didn't tell them the truth about Aria's cruelty,The bully, the cold smiles, the taunts.

Instead, she offered a quiet nod.

"Alright. I'll go."

Her mother's smile returned. "That's our girl. Go, and hold your head high."

---

She dressed carefully, slipping into the eerie costume she'd put together which includes her dark lace, heavy makeup, a veil, and spooky accessories. She stared at herself in the mirror. It wasn't her style. But if this was the theme then why wouldn't she keep to it.

When she arrived at Zayne's massive house, music was already drifting from the open doors and lights twinkled in every window. The backyard was bustling. But as soon as she stepped in, everyone was silent.

All eyes turned to her.

Gasps. Giggles. Then laughter.

People whispered, pointed. A girl near the snack table doubled over. A group of boys chuckled behind their drinks.

And at the center of it all, Aria stood in sleek silver, lips parted in mock shock.

"Oh my God," she said loudly. "I didn't think she'd actually do it!"

Bella snorted. Tina covered her mouth, pretending to hide her laugh.

Hope's heart Tightened. Her cheeks burned.

I knew it, she thought bitterly. I walked straight into their trap.

Before she could turn and leave, a hand touched her shoulder.

"Hope?" It was Jayden, voice low, face tight with anger. "Come with me."

Marcus and Zayne followed her, shielding her from the stares as they led her inside.

Minutes later, Hope emerged in something entirely different.

A silky, elegant two-piece from Zayne's mother's fashion line a deep sapphire blue that made her eyes glow, subtle sparkles that caught the light, and matching heels. Her hair had been gently styled, the eerie makeup wiped away.

When she stepped out again, conversations died. Mouths opened. Even Bella's smirk fell.

She was radiant.

Jayden turned to her, jaw tight. "Why did you wear that creepy costume in the first place?"

Hope looked up at him. "Aria told me it was the theme. She and her friends made it sound real."

Jayden's face darkened.

"That's it," he snapped. He stormed across the building.

"Aria!" he barked.

Aria froze mid-sip.

"You and your little brats think that was funny?"

"What are you talking about?" she scoffed, playing innocent.

"You know exactly what. Get out."

Her eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Leave."

Aria's pride cracked, anger blazing in her eyes. "You're kicking me out? For her?"

Tina and Bella looked at each other, then at Aria.

"Actually," Bella said quietly, "this wasn't our idea. It was all Aria."

"Yeah," Tina added. "We didn't want to do it, but she insisted."

The betrayal hit Aria like a slap. "You cowards," she hissed.

Jayden shook his head. "You're not welcome here tonight."

Furious, Aria stormed out of the party,with anger.

---

Her driver was waiting by the park lot. She opened the door without a word.

"Home," she snapped.

The Richmond home stood far away like a private palace. The gates opened for her shiny black car, showing a place full of luxury. The house had three floors with white stone walls, tall curved windows, big pillars at the door, and balconies covered with flowering plants. Beautiful lawns spread on both sides, with marble statues and fountains. The driveway had neat bushes and warm garden lights. It was more than a house; it was like a small kingdom.

As the car pulled up to the park lot something felt wrong.

Flashing lights.

Smoke rising into the sky.

Her heart stopped.

People stood outside, shouting. The fire showed in the windows, burning the curtains and spreading on the clean walls.

Her house, her pride, her big home was burning.

She pushed the car door open and ran toward the flames.

Where is my father? She asked no one particularly.

"My father!" she screamed. "He was inside,in his study room underground before I left!"

My dad is there! she screamed, struggling to break free from their grip. "He's in the underground room! I'm certainly sure he's inside!" She made an attempt to run into the fire.

Miss, you can't go in.

The man was confused but the report said the house is empty, because there wasn't anyone in the building when we checked.

Were the chambers checked? Oh no He.....he always studies there! Let me go!"

Before anyone could stop her, Aria broke free, dashing into the flames, the heat of the fire licking at her skin. Her eyes burned with rage not just from the smoke, but from the guilt that crashed down on her.

Flashback

Just a few hours earlier, the house had been filled with laughter. Tina and Bella layed on her bed, their legs hanging off the edge as they go through costumes to put on for the game night.

Aria stood in front of her mirror, styling her jet black hair into bouncy waves. The scent of their activity and hairspray lingered in the air.

"Aria," her father's voice came from the hallway. "Don't forget to turn off that socket before you leave."

She rolled her eyes, glancing sideways at Tina and Bella, who were giggling.

"I saw that," her father added with a straight face.

"I'm not a child," Aria muttered under her breath, faking a smile for her friends. "I've got it under control". She said

But she didn't turn it off immediately because she didn't want to look weak or controlled in front of her friends. That small act of pride was now turning into a nightmare.

Back to Present

Smoke thickened around her as she tried gaining access to the main building,the flames kept getting fierce and making it hard for her to move,but Aria pushed through, coughing, her skin peeling as she reached the underground study bookshelf where her father was.

"Dad!" she cried, choking. "Dad, please answer me!"

She pushed the door open. Smoke gushed out, and through the thick air, she saw him lying still beside his desk.

"No!" she screamed, running to him and covering his body with hers. "You can't die! Please, Daddy, please!"

She cried as the fire surrounded them.

Just when the fire was about to consume them, someone pulled her back with strong arms. It was the firefighters. Her eyes went blank. The last thing she saw before she fainted was her father's hand slipping out of hers.

Outside the Mansion

Mrs Evelyn car stopped suddenly, and loud screams filled the air. She had just returned early from her business trip to rest and was met with a scene of fear and confusion. Seeing her daughter's burned body being brought out broke her heart.

"Aria!" she wailed. "Where's my husband?!"

No one had the heart to answer.

"She's alive," a medic said, "but barely. We need to rush her now to the hospital!"

As they loaded Aria into the ambulance, Evelyn's trembling hands covered her mouth. Her eyes locked on her daughter's bloody face, the gauze, the burn from the fire and ash.

Her world, her family, her power, her pride was shattering before her eye and she could not stop it.

And all she could do was watch. She felt pained and disorganized on why all this would be happening to her. What could have caused the fire at the first place? and why her family were strucked in the building.