Silent Scars

CHAPTER 44

Ariana sat in the back seat of the car, her hands resting on her lap as she stared out of the window, watching the city blur past.

Leonardo’s words echoed in her head.

"You will not be known as Hastings for the time being."

"So both you and Kendric will not have any interaction at school."

She had clung to the thought that Kendric would be there, that she wouldn’t be alone. But now, she was.

Ariana let out a shaky breath, gripping the notepad in her lap. She had written the same words over and over again, as if seeing them would somehow make them less true.

"𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦."

She should have known it was too good to be true. The idea that she could be part of something, that she could have a family.

Her mind was restless.

When the towering gates of the school came into view, unease coiled in her stomach. The campus was massive, far bigger than she expected. Luxury cars lined the entrance, dropping off students dressed in designer brands. their expensive bags slung over their shoulders.

Some greeted each other cheerfully, while others flaunted their status, forming groups that were clearly divided by wealth and influence.

The scene felt suffocating.

Ariana had always been an outcast. This place was no different.

This was a prestigious school, one where only the wealthiest attended. But they weren't just rich. They were powerful, privileged, and ruthless. The elite families ruled over the school, and bullying was nothing out of the ordinary.

The car came to a stop. Marco stepped out first, walking around to open her door.

“We’re here.”

He said.

Ariana didn’t move. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.

𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦.

She knew what to expect. The stares. The whispers. The questions she couldn’t answer.

But that didn’t make it any easier.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car.

“I’ll be here after your classes.”

Marco reminded her.

Ariana gave him a small nod.

Ahead, students clustered near the entrance. Laughter. Chatter. The occasional yell. The noise was overwhelming, each sound blurring into a dull roar.

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥. 𝘛𝘰𝘰 chaotic.

She forced herself forward.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

She kept her gaze on the ground, arms crossed over her stomach. If she was lucky, no one would notice her.

𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.

She could feel unfamiliar eyes scanning her, but she ignored them and walked on.

The school was massive, larger than anything she had expected, and she struggled to find the administration block. The long hallways were overwhelming, filled with bustling students, yet somehow she found herself in an empty one.