"Bella," Carla said firmly, stopping just before the iron gates of Whitethorn Academy. "Before you walk through those gates, I want you to listen to me very carefully. There are things we need to be clear about."
Bella adjusted the strap of her handbag and looked at her mother. They usually had this pep talk when she was about to embark on something important.
"I know, Mum. Be good, read your books—"
"No," Carla shook her head. "Not just that. You listen to me now. You were lucky this time. You hear me? Very lucky. You literally ruined your life, your education. Yet here you are, standing at the heart of another golden opportunity.
I want you to understand that you don’t get second chances every time. So whatever inspired you to do what you did? Delete it totally from your mind."
Bella’s voice was tight. "I wasn’t trying to—"
"I don’t care what you were trying to do," she cut in. "I would never understand what you were trying to do, sending your nudes to a boy! I raised you better than that, Bella."
"If you ruin this one, I’d wash my hands off your case, just like Dad."
"What do you mean ’Mum’? Do you intend to misbehave again?"
"No, Mum, I don’t," she replied, scratching her hair.
"Good. You keep your head down, you do your work, and you stay away from drama."
Bella nodded. "I hear you, Ma," she replied in a meek tone.
Carla sighed, her voice softer now. "And please, for the love of everything you hold dear, don’t let boys distract you. You’re not here for romance. That should not be your priority at seventeen. You’re starting afresh. One wrong step and—"
"I get it," Bella muttered.
"No. No, you don’t, Bella. This place... this is a dream. You should be sitting at home, miserable and expelled. And need I remind you that you’re on trial. So I’m begging Bella, don’t ruin this."
Bella looked into her mother’s eyes. "Don’t worry, Ma. I won’t disappoint you. I’ll be invisible."
"I’m not saying you should shy away, my child." She held both her hands. "Prove to everyone who you are. You are my daughter. You show them strength. Show them resilience. But keep your name clean. Make me proud."
Bella swallowed hard. "Okay."
Carla took her daughters face gently in her hands. "I want you to forgive yourself too. No more hiding from your past. Okay? And no more repeating it, either. You’ve got one shot to start over. Use it well my love."
There was a beat of silence.
"I’ll write to you and call you every weekend," Carla added.
Bella managed a faint smile. "I’ll do the same."
"You’d better." Carla pressed a kiss to her forehead, then smoothed her hair back. "Now go before I change my mind and drag you back home."
Bella gave her one last look, then turned and walked through the gate. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ ɴoᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt
Her mum drove off, waving her bye for the last time.
A few feet past the gate, she noticed a small bench near some neatly planted flowers. A girl with two long braids and headphones was sketching something in a notebook. Another student, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in his uniform already was tossing a ball up and down as he leaned against a tree. The boy never took his eyes off her.
Bella noticed her fingers were shaking under the glaring heat of his stare. She quickly broke eye contact and pushed her luggages forward.
Approaching a building, she hesitated, unsure of the school’s protocol. Then she pulled out her phone and checked the email again, scrolling to find the name of the admissions coordinator. It was there. Mallory Woods.
Her mum even printed a hard copy. Bella could feel the folded sheet tucked into her breast pocket.
Still, her chest felt tight.
I wish Mum was here with me. I wonder why they won’t let parents beyond the gates for even admission. She sighed.
Bella glanced around and noticed a blue sign with an arrow: Main Reception. She followed it.
As she climbed the stone steps toward the reception building, she passed a girl holding a cello bag and humming softly under her breath.
"Hi," the girl said with a broad smile.
"Hey," Bella replied.
"Why do you look so... lost?" she chuckled slightly.
"Uhh... ’coz I’m new here?" Bella replied, adjusting her bag.
The girl tilted her head. "New? In the middle of a session? Not to mention a term?!"
Her eyes widened with each question.
"It’s a long story," Bella replied, shuffling from one foot to the other.
The girl shook her head. "Whitethorn Academy never admits new students in the middle of an academic session. You sure you’re not in the wrong school?"
"I—I—I’m sure. This is my admission letter," Bella explained, drawing it out of her pocket.
"No, I’m cool," the girl replied, walking away.
"Wait! I need to ask you—"
But the girl had already rounded the corner.
Bella sighed and rolled her eyes. "So much for a new start."
She continued walking and stopped in front of a heavy wooden door. She pushed through it and stepped inside.
The school’s reception building had the intimidating quiet of old institutions, and the faint smell of books that reminded her this was a school environment. Bella kept walking till she spotted the front desk just beneath a grand staircase.
A woman with short auburn curls and square glasses sat behind the counter, typing something on a monitor. She glanced up, giving Bella a brief smile.
This must be Mallory Woods, Bella thought.
"Name?" the older woman asked.
"Bella Rivers," Bella said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. At least this woman didn’t act like I was falling from the sky as a new student.
The woman’s fingers moved quickly. "Just a moment."
Bella stood still, her hands clasped in front of her.
Then the woman frowned slightly and scrolled again. "Hmm."
Bella’s stomach tightened.
"Are you sure it’s Whitethorn Academy?" the woman asked, already eyeing her bag.
"Yes," Bella said quickly. "My mum and I, we drove all night. I’ve come a long way, but we double-checked all the directions to locate this place."
"Alright," the receptionist murmured, eyes back on the screen. "And the last name is R-I-V-E-R-S?"
"Yes. Bella Rivers. But I usually go by Bella."
Another pause. Then the woman leaned back slightly and gave her a polite, restrained smile.
"I’m afraid your name’s not showing up in our system."
Bella felt the ground tilt suddenly beneath her.