"ANA!"
I frown into my pillow.
Why is someone yelling my name like the house is on fire?
"ANATOLIA!"
Okay. That's definitely my mom.
I squint my eyes open and stare at my ceiling, still half asleep, trying to remember what day it is. My brain feels fuzzy, like it's wading through cotton. Summer break. No—wait.
School.
My eyes snap to the clock on my bedside table.
7:30 a.m.
I sit straight up so fast my head spins.
No. No no no no.
I throw my blanket off and practically fall out of bed. First day back after summer break and I'm already late. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's ruining my own mornings.
I rush into the bathroom, splash water on my face, and stare at my reflection. Pale. A little tired. Same old me. I give myself a small smile anyway.
"Today's going to be fine," I whisper.
I don't know who I'm trying to convince.
The smell hits me the moment I step into the kitchen.
Pancakes.
Actual, fluffy, golden pancakes.
My favourite.
Mom stands by the stove, spatula in hand, humming softly. She looks calm—too calm for someone whose daughter is running late on the first day of school.
"You're awake," she says, glancing over her shoulder.
"Barely," I mumble, grabbing a plate.
She slides pancakes onto it like this is just another normal morning. Like today isn't important. Like she hasn't been watching me closely for months now.
"Eat fast," she says gently. "You've got thirty minutes before the bell rings."
"Thirty?" I choke out, already shoving food into my mouth.
She laughs. "Ana, breathe."
I smile at her, even though my chest feels a little tight. She watches me like she always does—counting my bites, noticing how I move, how I stand.
"I'll be fine," I say quickly, because I know what she's thinking.
"I know," she replies. "Just… have a good first day."
"I will," I promise.
And then I'm gone, backpack bouncing against my shoulders as I rush out the door.
School looks the same.
Same cracked pavement. Same noisy entrance. Same loud students pretending they didn't miss this place even a little.
I barely make it through the gates when arms wrap around me.
"I MISSED YOU!"
"Meg—!" I laugh as she squeezes the life out of me.
Meghan pulls back, eyes bright, grin wide. She always looks like she has too much energy for one human body.
"I missed you too," she says dramatically.
I roll my eyes. "It's been two days since we last saw each other."
She gasps. "Exactly. Tragic."
We've been best friends since kindergarten. Back when backpacks were bigger than us and problems were solved with crayons and juice boxes. She's been there through everything. Especially the hard stuff.
As we reach our lockers, a cough sneaks up on me without warning. One second I'm laughing, the next my chest tightens and my breath stutters.
I grab onto my locker.
Just for a second.
Before I can pretend nothing's wrong, Meg is already there, pressing a cold water bottle into my hand.
"Drink," she orders.
I do. Slowly. Carefully.
When I look up, she's watching me the way people do when they're scared but trying not to show it.
"Did you take your pills?" she asks quietly.
I don't answer.
She sighs. "Ana."
"I forgot," I admit, staring at the floor.
"You can't keep forgetting," she snaps. "This isn't something you can ignore."
"I'm okay," I say, forcing a smile. "See? Still standing."
She doesn't smile back.
But before she can lecture me properly, a loud scream echoes down the hallway.
"Oh my gosh, they're here!"
I turn.
And there he is.
Jake Blaze.
Surrounded by his four loyal shadows, walking like the hallway was built just for him. That stupid, careless smirk on his face makes my stomach twist.
I hate him.
Not the dramatic kind of hate. The quiet, long-lasting kind.
He's been bullying me since kindergarten—for no reason. No explanation. Just because he could. I still remember the day he snapped my favourite purple colouring pencil in half and laughed while I cried.
Some things you never forget.
The bell rings, pulling me back to reality.
Classes pass slowly. Math feels longer than usual. English is boring. History blurs together.
Then lunch.
Then science.
Mr Jonas claps his hands at the front of the room. "This term, you'll be working on a science project. Due at the end of the month."
My stomach tightens.
"I've already decided the pairs," he continues.
Everyone starts moving, laughing, pulling chairs together.
I stay still.
So does Jake.
My heart sinks.
Hell no.
"No," I whisper.
I rush up to Mr Jonas. "Sir, please, can I change partners?"
He shakes his head. "I paired you based on grades. This is final."
I turn slowly.
Jake is leaning back in his chair, smirking.
"Guess we're partners," he says. "Try not to cry this time."
I glare at him.
This is going to be a long month.
The day ends faster then expected.
Check-up day. I go for checkups every first Thursday of a new month.
Dr Kelly smiles at me from behind her desk. "You're doing well, Ana. Very well."
I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding.
"If you keep taking care of yourself," she adds, "you might even make it to prom."
Prom.
The word feels dangerous. Like hope.
She hands me my prescription, and I meet Meg at the reception.
"What did she say?" Meg asks.
"I'm okay," I tell her. "Really okay."
She grins. "Pizza?"
"Paula's," I say instantly.
Paula's Pizza Hub has always been our place. Paula calls us her lucky charm—her first customers ever.
"My lucky girls!" Paula says when she sees us.
We hug her like always.
Later, Meg drops me home. I unlock the door and step into the quiet house. Mom isn't home yet—night shift again.
I lean against the door and exhale.
First day back.
And somehow, I already know—
This year is going to change everything.