Chapter 15

Fourteen Years Earlier

Gabriella

We arrive at school, and a frustrated sigh escapes my lips. For me, every day at school feels like torture, and I can't help but resent how teachers and parents often try to convince us that school is supposed to be fun when, in reality, it feels like a scam.

To me, school serves as a constant reminder of how sad and lonely my life can be. It's like a painful process where life forces me to reuse and recycle my sadness, if you catch my drift.

Gabrielle struts in with her usual bossy demeanor, quickly joined by her friends, Mia, Alicia, and Tracy. The four of them together are the main reason I despise school. It's like having four psychopathic kids running around what's supposed to be a sane environment, all while they claim school is a safe place. What a bunch of liars!

"Hey, loser, can you move to the other side? I don't want people staring at us at the same time. It's disgraceful!&q