Arianna
I was weeping softly and quietly. Just then, I heard footsteps approaching my room. So, I switched off the reading bulb close to my bed and pretended to be asleep. My mom called my name severally, but I didn't answer her. I didn't want her to see me crying in my bed at night, so I kept mute. Shortly after she didn't hear me speak, she left the corridor. My name is Ariana, but you can call me Ari.
Yea, that night was just like all other nights when I wallow in pain and sorrow. It had become a habit, but I was fed up deep down. I am the only child of my parents; I always acted strong and happy, but deep down, I was dying in silence. I was at the hardest and probably toughest teenage age, fourteen years. I consider it a tough age because I went through a lot.
It all started some months ago when Dad's company folded up, we went bankrupt, and Dad became depressed and decided to leave us. So, since then, happiness has left me, or should I say I lost happiness. At school, things were not all that good. I did not have many friends, but only one close friend; I would rather call him my best friend. His name is Maxwell, and we were inseparable.
We shared everything you could imagine: joy, sorrow, pain, money, gifts, groceries, and more. But sadly, some weeks later, I noticed he started hanging out with the mean kids at school; they were known for bullying other timid and nerdy kids. I wasn't happy when I discovered Maxwell going around with them.
Hence, I confronted him on his way to the locker room. His reply was nothing to write about; he also gave flimsy excuses, so I left angrily and went home. The next day, Mom told me she would work at the cafeteria in the evenings and on weekdays to make ends meet. I offered to join her, but she declined and said I should focus on my studies.
She missed Dad, but I didn't; he left my Mom and me. I never wanted to hear from him again, so I blocked his number and also blocked him on all social media platforms. Time flew by; two years later, I was going through my mailbox when I came across something intriguing.
It was a letter from my Father, apologizing for his misbehavior and abandoning us. He said he was now well-to-do and would handle my financial needs. I was surprised and very angry; he had left all this while, and now, he would throw money at us. After thinking about all this, I decided to tell Mom and see her reaction.
Surprisingly, she was ecstatic. She said I should accept him and find a place in my heart to forgive him. I didn't say anything, I just nodded my head. The next day, I decided to forgive and accept him back after his countless apologies.
He was in New York but promised to come by during the weekend to spend some time with us, which he eventually did. That weekend was like a family reunion; we ate, talked, and bounded like a happy family. Mom stopped her double shift and decided to enroll me in one of the most prestigious private High schools in the City.