Diamond: The Spark Within

After lunch, Selena and Sam went to their respective classes. Selena tried to focus on her lessons, but her mind kept drifting back to their conversation under the banyan tree. The way Sam talked to her, the way he made her feel seen—it was all so new and confusing.

Two classes later, during their free period, Selena found herself walking back to the banyan tree. Sam had suggested they meet again, and she was eager to see him. When she arrived, Sam was already there, sitting on the grass with his bag tossed casually to the side.

"Right on time," he said, flashing her a smile.

Selena smiled back, sitting down across from him. "You're always so punctual. Don't you ever run late?"

"Not when I've got good company waiting," he teased, making her cheeks flush.

They spent the first few minutes talking about their classes. Sam shared a funny story about his math teacher, who accidentally solved a problem incorrectly and tried to blame the students for "misleading him." Selena laughed, feeling more at ease with each passing moment.

As the conversation shifted, Sam leaned back against the tree trunk, his expression turning thoughtful. "So, Selena, what do you think you want to do in the future? Like, what's your dream?"

Selena hesitated, surprised by the question. "I'm not sure. I love drawing, but… I don't know if it's something I can turn into a career."

"Why not?" Sam asked, his tone genuinely curious.

"I guess I've never really thought about it seriously," she admitted. "With everything going on at home, dreams feel… far away."

Sam nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I get that. But you're really talented, Selena. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You could do something amazing with your art."

His words made her heart swell with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. "Thanks, Sam. That means a lot."

"You're welcome," he said with a smile. "And hey, if you ever need help figuring it out, I'm here."

Selena looked at him, her emotions a swirl of confusion and warmth. "You're really nice, Sam. Why do you care so much?"

Sam's smile softened. "Because you're worth caring about, Selena. And because I think you need someone to remind you of that."

The bell signaling the end of the free period interrupted their moment. Sam stood, offering her a hand.

"Come on, we don't want to be late," he said.

Selena took his hand, her heart racing. "Thanks. For everything."

"Anytime," Sam replied, his grin returning.

Waiting Alone

Amelia hadn't come to school, leaving Selena without her constant source of comfort and companionship. As the last bell rang, signaling the end of classes, Selena packed her books and slowly made her way to the front gate. Normally, she would leave with Amelia, chatting about random things that distracted her from the harshness of the world around her. Today, she felt vulnerable and exposed, knowing what awaited her if she tried to leave alone.

Selena leaned against the wall near the gate, clutching the straps of her backpack tightly. She glanced nervously at the clusters of seniors lounging nearby, their eyes scanning the crowd for their next victim. Her heart thumped loudly, each second of waiting stretching into an eternity. She prayed silently for Ryan to show up soon.

When Ryan finally appeared, he was laughing and joking with a group of his friends. He looked carefree, a stark contrast to Selena's anxious demeanor. She hesitated to approach him, but she knew she didn't have a choice. Mustering her courage, she walked up to him, her voice trembling slightly.

"Ryan, can we go home now?" she asked, her eyes darting nervously to the seniors nearby.

Ryan turned to her, his expression instantly shifting from amusement to irritation. "What are you doing here?" he snapped, his tone sharp and dismissive.

Selena flinched at his words but kept her voice steady. "Amelia didn't come today, so I waited for you. I don't want to go alone."

Ryan rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "Why do you always have to be so useless, Selena?" he muttered loud enough for his friends to hear. A few of them chuckled, and Selena's cheeks burned with humiliation.

"I'm not useless," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

Ryan ignored her and continued, his frustration spilling out in harsh words. "You can't do anything on your own, can you? Always clinging to someone. First Dad, then Amelia, and now me. You're pathetic."

Selena's eyes welled up, but she quickly blinked back the tears. She didn't want to cry in front of his friends, didn't want to give them more reasons to laugh at her. She took a step back, her hands trembling.

"Ryan, please... I just need to get home," she said softly, her voice cracking under the weight of his anger.

For a moment, Ryan stared at her, his expression hard and unyielding. Then, with a huff, he turned to his friends. "I'll catch up with you guys later," he said, waving them off.

As they walked home in silence, Selena trailed a few steps behind Ryan, her head down, tears threatening to spill over. She wished for a day when she wouldn't have to rely on anyone, a day when she could walk confidently without fear of being bullied or belittled.

But that day felt like a distant dream, buried under the weight of her reality.