Diamond: The Spark Within

The days rolled on, and Serena clung tightly to the one ray of light in her life—Amelia. Her friend wasn't just a classmate anymore; she had become Serena's anchor in a sea of turmoil. Amelia's steadfast encouragement helped Serena claw her way back to an average level in her studies. While it wasn't the excellence others might have expected, for Serena, it felt like a monumental achievement.

"You've got this, Serena," Amelia would often say, her voice filled with warmth and belief. "You're so much more capable than you think."

Amelia's support didn't stop at academics. One day, during their lunch break, she nudged Serena toward the school sports field. "You were so good at sports before. Why not try again?"

Serena hesitated, her hands clutching her lunchbox. "I don't know… It's been so long."

"Come on," Amelia urged. "Let's just start small. No pressure."

Little by little, Serena began to rediscover her love for sports. Though her movements were more tentative and her confidence still shaky, the spark that had once burned brightly started to flicker again.

One sunny afternoon, Serena returned home from school, her face flushed from a light game of basketball. She dropped her bag by the door, kicking off her shoes as Nicole called out to her from the porch.

"Serena! Want to play badminton?" Nicole asked, holding up two rackets.

Serena hesitated but then smiled faintly. "Sure. Why not?"

The two cousins began a spirited game in the yard. Nicole was competitive but playful, and Serena, with her unique style of play, was holding her own. Her unconventional techniques—quick, nimble movements and unexpected angles—often caught Nicole off guard, making for an exciting match.

Their laughter filled the air until Ryan arrived with his friend, Sam. Spotting the game, Ryan's expression shifted to one of disdain. "Badminton, huh? Mind if we join?"

Nicole shrugged. "Sure, more the merrier."

Ryan and Sam joined in, turning the game into doubles. At first, it was lighthearted, with playful banter and occasional friendly jabs. But as the game progressed, Ryan's irritation began to surface.

"What kind of shot was that, Serena?" he snapped after missing one of her tricky returns.

"It's just how I play," Serena replied softly, her voice almost apologetic.

"That's not how you're supposed to play," Ryan shot back, his tone dripping with frustration.

"But it works, doesn't it?" Nicole interjected, trying to lighten the mood.

Ryan wasn't appeased. His small nagging escalated into yelling. "You're embarrassing! Why can't you just play like a normal person?"

Serena flinched, her grip on the racket tightening. "I am playing properly," she murmured, barely audible.

Ryan's temper boiled over. In a fit of rage, he threw his racket to the ground, shattering it into pieces. Sam stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do, while Nicole stared in shock.

"Enough of this nonsense!" Ryan barked, grabbing Serena by the arm. "Get inside!"

"Ryan, stop it!" Nicole pleaded, stepping forward to intervene.

"Stay out of this!" Ryan snapped, shoving her aside.

Inside the house, Ryan's anger reached a terrifying peak. He grabbed Serena's racket and broke it over his knee before using the broken pieces to strike her.

"You never listen!" he shouted, each word accompanied by another blow. "You're useless!"

Serena didn't fight back. She simply curled up, her arms shielding her head, as tears streamed down her face. When Ryan was finally done, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Serena slowly picked herself up, her body aching and her spirit shattered. She retreated to her room, locking the door behind her. There, in the safety of her solitude, she allowed the tears to flow freely.

"Why, God?" she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her despair. "Why did you put me in this life? What did I do to deserve this?"

Her thoughts turned bitterly toward her mother, the woman she loved but now resented. "You left us," Serena muttered, her words heavy with anger. "You left me to deal with this alone. Why didn't you take me with you?"

The pain and anger mixed into a suffocating wave, leaving her drained and hollow. She clutched her pillow tightly, muffling her sobs, as memories of better times taunted her mind.

Later that evening, Nicole knocked gently on Serena's door. "Serena? Can I come in?"

Serena hesitated before unlocking the door. Nicole stepped inside, her face etched with concern.

"I'm sorry," Nicole said softly. "I should have stopped him."

"It's not your fault," Serena replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nicole sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You don't deserve this. None of it."

Serena didn't respond. The words felt hollow, unable to reach the depths of her pain.

That night, as she lay in bed, Serena stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't escape. She questioned everything—her family, her faith, her purpose. The cracks in her world were widening, threatening to swallow her whole.