Southvale

Chapter 1

And here goes my stupid alarm clock.

"Ugh, school." I sigh.

Today is the first day of school after summer vacation. And I'm not gonna lie, I have no reason to look forward for today.

I sigh and get off of my bed, towards my mirror.

I look at myself and start listing reasons on why going to school today would be the biggest mistake ever.

I would have to see Maggie again, I would have to act like I moved on from Mike, I would have to act like I don't see Layla's ghost roaming around the halls, I would have to leave my mom, who is diagnosed with –

"BECCA!"

Meet my sister. Interrupting my thoughts since forever.

Before I can even reply, Melissa barges into my room, "Well well well, look who's getting ready for the start of a beautiful educational year."

"Mel, just because you finished your "educational" years, doesn't mean you can rub it in my face every single day until my graduation day.", I say rolling my eyes after that.

"Oh come on, it won't be that bad. You got the whole summer to mourn Layla. Just give yourself a break and try to make new friends."

My mom, sister, and I traveled to Argentina in the summer for break from everything. Not like it helped, though. I spent every day remembering how things could've gone better and where I went wrong.

"It's not just about Layla."

"Get ready for school, we'll talk later, okay?" Melissa assures me while hugging me.

"Yeah, okay. I'll be fine."

Mel gives me a warm smile, then leaves me alone with my thoughts.

"Okay, let's see. I can either wear my 'my-summer-was-great' dress or my 'i-don't-want-to-see-any-of-you-people-but-I'm-being-forced-to-come-to-this-shithole' sweatshirt with some ripped jeans."

Second option, it is.

I grab my phone, my empty school bag, and my keys, and head downstairs.

"Beck, I made breakfast for you. I have to go help Mia pack, but you eat and directly head to school."

My name is Rebecca but my sister calls me all these names like Beck, Becca, B, Reb even though I prefer being called my actual name since all these nicknames remind me of what people I once knew used to call me, and it doesn't feel really good.

"Yeah, don't worry about me. Say hi to Mia from me."

"Sure, I will."

The door slams closed.

Great, she's gone. I threw the cereal she prepared for me and head to hell.

I arrive to school and unluckily, the first face I see is Mike's. God, he looks so happy. Our memories really meant nothing to him.

I shake my head and head to class since I have like one minute left till the bell rings.

"Mrs. Hackett. May I see you in the office?"

Confused, I follow the school counceler, Mr. Raymond, into his office, worrying, because I feel like I know what he's going to talk to me about.

"You may sit down here" He says while pointing to a chair in front of his wooden desk.

"I know that you were close to Layla –"

I directly say, "She was my best friend."

"Yes, and I'm sorry about what happened to her, but I need you to answer some questions about why you think she took her own life and ended that way. Are you okay with that?"

"Y-Yes, I- I understand." I stutter, trying to keep my eyes dry.