Dear diary,
Today was a rough day. I woke up feeling off, and things only seemed to get worse from there. Everything felt like it was weighing me down, and I couldn't shake the sense of dread that's been following me for days.
I tried to push through, I really did. But every little thing seemed to set me off. I'm just feeling so overwhelmed and stuck. I don't know how to make it better or how to make it stop.
I'm writing this down because it's the one thing that seems to help me process everything. I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I hope it's better than today.
Sincerely,
Riya.
________________________________
"Riya, it's time for school, what are you still doing inside"
I heard my mum yell from downstairs.
I sighed as i knotted my dhoe Lace and stoo up.
I grabbed my backpack and slung it over my shoulder, trying to muster up some enthusiasm for the day ahead. As I trudged downstairs, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and toast wafted through the air, making my stomach growl with hunger.
"Morning, Mum," I mumbled, pouring myself a glass of juice from the fridge.
Mum gave me a concerned look. "Rough morning, sweetie?"
I nodded, not wanting to get into a long conversation. "Just didn't sleep well, I guess."
She nodded understandingly. "Well, eat something quick and get going. You're going to be late."
I took a bite of toast and washed it down with juice, feeling a bit more energized. As I headed out the door, Mum called out, "Have a good day, Riya! Try to shake off that grumpiness."
I smiled weakly and waved goodbye, stepping into the bright sunlight. The fresh air hit me like a slap in the face, making me feel more awake. But as I walked to school, the weight of my worries and fears started to creep back in.
As I walked into the school hallway i could immediately feel different pairs of eyes staring at me.
I almost felt like turning and walking right back home.
I got to my locker and as i finished arranging my books i closed the locker and almost yelped .
Justin was standing right beside me with a smirk on his face.
"Oh my gosh Justin, stop scaring me like that"
I mumbled as i picked the book which jad fallen when he startled me.
"Sorry, i didn't mean to scare you "
He says with a smile
Justin Wright was my best friend.
My only friend actually, and I've yet to figure out why he approached me in 3rd grade and offered me a banana at lunch break.
We've been friends since then.
I've always wondered how Justin can still be friends with me.
We were the exact opposite of each other.
He was the popular guy, plays basketball. Everyone liked Justin while i was the unpopular tomboy who everyone now hates cos they think i pushed their favourite cheerleader captain down the stairs.
Britney Jones, the cheerleader captain used to be my friend before i moved away.
I moved back in 6th grade only to discover that the friend i had didn't think i was appropriate for ger group anyone.
As you might well imagine, Britney hated me and this often lead to alot of incidents every frigging fay of my life at school.
Three days ago Britney, with her clique came up to me and started their usual routine of making my life miserable.
One thing led to another and Britney grabbed my hair, i reacted instinctively and tried to release her grip on my hair.
She tripped and voilà! Down the stairs she went.
I think that pretty much explains why everyone hated me.
Obviously they would rather prefer to believe I pushed Britney down the stairs for no reason at all.
Everyone hated me except for Justin .
He was nice and a very good friend.
Justin interrupted my musings with a quick snap of his fingers.
I glanced at him. "Sorry, my mind was wondering far away"
Justin chuckled and leaned against the locker beside me. "That figures, You were miIes away. You look like you could use a coffee or something. Want to grab one with me before class?"
I smiled slightly, feeling a bit more at ease with Justin's presence. "Yeah, that sounds good."
As we walked to the cafeteria, Justin started telling me about his basketball game last night. I listened intently, trying to focus on the conversation and not let my mind wander back to the drama with Britney.
When we got to the cafeteria, Justin grabbed us both a coffee and we sat down at a table. "So, how's it going?" he asked, his eyes scanning my face.
I sighed, feeling a bit frustrated. "It's just... everything. People hating me, Britney's clique spreading rumors... I don't know how much more I can take."
Justin nodded sympathetically. "I know it's tough, Riya. But you know I'm here for you, right? We'll get through this together."
I smiled weakly, feeling grateful for Justin's friendship. "Thanks, Justin"
"Anyway i have a basketball game tomorrow, wanna come?"
He asked my face hopefully.
I hesitated, that if i were to go that meant i would see Britney and i didn't want to deal with her and her dumb friends anymore.
As if reading my thoughts he says
"Don't worry, it's not a school game"
"It's not?,so what game is it"
I asked my face puckering in confusion.
He leaned back and sighed
"It's for the charity stuff going on in my dad's company, me and the guys decided to pitch in and do something"
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A charity game? That sounds amazing! I'd love to come and support you."
Justin grinned, looking relieved. "Really? I'd love to have you there. It's going to be a lot of fun, and it'll be great to have someone cheering for me who's not just doing it because I'm on the team."
I chuckled, feeling a warmth in my chest at Justin's words. "I'll be there, loud and proud."
As we finished our coffee, Justin glanced at his watch. "I should get going, I've got a meeting with Coach before class."
I nodded, standing up with him. "Yeah, me too. I've got a ton of homework to catch up on."
We walked out of the cafeteria together, chatting about our schedules for the rest of the day. As we parted ways at the hallway intersection, Justin turned to me and said, "Hey, I'll text you the details about the game tomorrow, okay?"
I smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day after all.
As soon as i turned to walk to class i bumped into Britney.
Great, just my luck.
Britney's eyes narrowed as she looked me up and down. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The stair-pushing queen herself."
I rolled my eyes, trying to sidestep her. "Britney, just leave me alone."
But she wasn't having it. "Oh no, Riya. You're not going anywhere. You're going to apologize for pushing me down those stairs."
I sighed, feeling a familiar frustration. "I didn't push you, Britney. You tripped."
Britney's face twisted in anger. "Oh please! Everyone knows what really happened."
I decided to walk away, but as i turned Britney grabbed my shirt pulling me back and poured her iced coffee on my shirt .
She gave a smirk and walked away with her group.
At lunch, I sat alone at a table, trying to focus on my book. Justin walked up and dropped into the chair across from me.
"Hey, what's going on?" he asked, noticing my coffee-stained shirt.
I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Britney happened."
Justin's eyes widened as he took in the stain. "She did this?"
I nodded, feeling a surge of anger. "Yeah, she grabbed my shirt and poured her iced coffee all over me."
Justin's face darkened. "That's it, I've had enough of her bullying you."
"Justin, please don't "
I said with my face etched with worry.
He sighed and leaned back in his chair, glaring at me.
"Please "
I repeated my eyes searching his.
Justin's gaze softened slightly, and he leaned forward again. "Okay, fine. I won't do anything... for now."
I let out a breath of relief, knowing that Justin's temper could sometimes get the better of him.
Justin changed the subject, asking me about my book. We chatted about the plot and characters, and I found myself laughing and forgetting about the earlier incident with Britney.
As we finished our lunch, Justin stood up and said, "I'll walk you to class."
As i turned the carry my backpack, he suddenly says
"Hold on"
I paused raising an eyebrow.
He removes his hoodie and handed it to me.
"Wear this over your shirt to cover the coffee stains"
I accepted it.
"Thanks"
I mumbled
The hoodie was no different from the baggy shirts and jeans i wore .
It was big on me.
Justin walked me to class, chatting with me about nothing in particular. When we reached the door, he smiled and said, "See you later, Riya."
I smiled back, feeling grateful for his friendship. "Bye, Justin. Thanks for walking me to class."
He nodded and turned to head to his own class. "No problem, anytime."
I went inside my classroom and tried to focus on what the teacher was teaching.
The rest of the class was a blur as I jotted down notes and tried to stay focused. Before I knew it, the bell rang, signaling the end of the period.
I gathered my belongings and filed out of the classroom with the other students. As I walked down the hallway, I felt a sense of relief that the day was almost over.
Justin was with his teammates when i walked past.
He excused himself and runs up to me.
"Hey Riya, you still coming tomorrow?"
I nodded.
"Yeah I'll be there"
He smiled. "okay then, see ya."
He walks back to his friends and i suddenly remembered something.
I walked up to him
"Justin your hoodie "
He turned and shook her his head. "Keep it "
"Oh okay, thanks"
I said as i turned and walked home.
_______________________________
Justin watched as she walked away and smiled a little before turning back to his friends and saw them all smirking at him.
"What"
They laughed
"Just tell her you like her, dumbass"
One of his friends, Ray says and the others agreed.
"Nah i don't think she'll want that, we're just friends"
The others shook their then they all walked home.