Chapter 3 Aria
I figured that there was something worse than being the new girl in a small town and it was being the new girl in a small town high school. Silverpine High looked like it had been standing there since forever — red brick, tall pine trees swaying behind it, and a painted sign that said Silverpine Wolves. Apparently, that was their basketball team.
Mom pulled up to the curb, the car engine idling. “It’s just school, honey. Make some friends and keep an open mind.”
I unbuckled without looking at her. “Open mind. Got it, right after I survive the stares.”
She squeezed my hand. “You’ll be fine. I promise.”
I stepped out into air that smelled like pine needles and impending frost. Why did this town feel like it was always one season away from winter? I slung my backpack over one shoulder and watched Mom drive off, taillights disappearing around the bend.
Great! Day one, and I'm officially abandoned. The front office smelled like burnt coffee and dusty files. The secretary with the name tag that said MRS. CALLAHAN handed me a schedule and a map that looked really older than my mom. “First period’s down the hall, left and Welcome to Silverpine, Aria. I hope you'll love it here.”
I hope so too, Mrs. Callahan, I hope so. The hallways were a war zone of slamming lockers, squeaking sneakers, and clusters of kids who all seemed to know exactly where they belonged. Of course, it was high school with the typical repeat of events. I kept my head down clutching the schedule like a lifeline and seriously trying not to look as lost as I felt.
“New girl,” someone muttered as I passed a group by the water fountain. Gee, thanks for the announcement!
“City clothes,” another added, low enough that I was meant to hear. I rolled my eyes. How original! I found the classroom easily, thank the stars! It was English and the very first period. Slipping into a seat near the back, I noticed the teacher, Mr. Hargrove I later came to know, scribbling on the whiteboard in loopy handwriting. Geez, could students even see that?
The desks were arranged in neat rows with sunlight slanting through tall windows onto scratched floors. My high school in Chicago was never this neat. I found a perfect spot to hide myself until he turned around and spotted me. Oh no!
“Class, we have a new student today. Miss Morgan, would you stand and introduce yourself?”
My stomach plummeted. Of course. Nothing says “welcome” like forced high school public humiliation.
I stood slowly, feeling every eye in the room locked on me. “Um hi everyone, I’m Aria. I just moved in here from Chicago.”
A soft giggle rippled from the middle row and I turned to look. Blonde hair glossy enough to star in a shampoo ad, perfect winged eyeliner, and red lips curved in a smirk stared back at me. I doubted makeup that excessive was permitted here but who knew. The obnoxious girl wore a crop top and high-waisted jeans with the kind of confidence that screamed “I own this place.”
“Cute,” she said, loud enough for half the room. “We’ve got ourselves a city girl.”
Laughter bubbled up around her and my face burned with rage. I met her stare, unflinching and she only gave me a sardonic grin.
Mr. Hargrove cleared his throat. “Thank you, Aria. You may take your seat.”
I sat fast, wishing the floor would swallow me.
The girl next to me leaned over once roll call started. “Ignore Avery. She’s the queen bee here and thinks the crown is hereditary.”
I glanced sideways. The girl had dark braids, warm brown eyes, and an easy smile. “Thanks. I’m Aria.”
“Sienna.” She grinned. “Welcome to the circus.”
The rest of the morning blurred—math, history, and more whispers trailing me like smoke. By lunch break, my head was pounding. Sienna found me in the hall and looped her arm through mine like we’d been friends forever. “Come on. Cafeteria’s this way.”
We grabbed the trays and headed to a table by the windows. A couple of her friends were already there. They were curious, friendly and asking the usual stuffs: Chicago pizza, winter, and celebrities. I answered on autopilot until one girl, Ava, leaned in wide-eyed.
“So, have you met Beyoncé?”
I blinked. “No. Chicago’s big but not that big.”
Ava looked genuinely disappointed. “Oh. I thought…”
Sienna snorted. “You thought she rode the bus with her every morning? Oh come on Ava!”
I laughed despite myself and for a second, I felt relaxed. My eyes drifted across the cafeteria and at the far end, a table sat apart from the chaos with three quiet older-looking guys. People gave them a wide berth like there was an invisible force field around them. One of them shifted, his dark hair falling into his eyes and even from here, I recognized the posture. Brooding and familiar.
My neighbour from next door.
Sienna followed my gaze. “Oh that’s the Hales,” she said, pointing subtly at the dark haired one. “Luca and his crew. They don’t really mix.”
I raised a brow. “Reclusive much?”
She shrugged. “They’re loaded, live on that big estate at the edge of town. Old money, old house, and secrets, you know. Everyone knows to leave them alone.”
“Secrets?” I asked, keeping my tone light.
Sienna hesitated, then leaned closer. “Rumors mostly. People say the family’s really weird, never been sick while some say they own half the woods around here. Others just say worse.”
She lowered her voice, again. “Just don’t get too curious. Small towns love a good story but the Hales don’t like being the punchline.”
I glanced back. Luca’s head lifted slightly and our eyes met across the crowded room. My pulse kicked and I broke off first, turning back to my tray. “Noted!”
The rest of the day dragged. During last period, I got lost looking for the library to kill time before the bus. I pushed through a set of double doors and stepped in. Shelves towered smelling of old paper and lemon polish and a woman behind the desk looked up. She was in her mid-forties with a soft smile that reached her eyes.
“Lost?” she asked.
“Very.”
She chuckled. “First day?”
“First everything.”
“I’m Ms. Thorne. Welcome to the one quiet spot in this building.” She slid a bookmark across the counter—silver pine tree embossed on it. “If you need anything, books or a place to hide, and someone who won’t make you introduce yourself come find me.”
I took the bookmark. “Thanks. I'm Aria”
Her smile warmed. “You’ll find your footing, Aria. New schools take time but they have a way of surprising you.”
I nodded, throat suddenly tight. “Yeah, thanks again Ms. Thorne.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
First day chaos unlocked! Aria’s already clocking the Hales as the town’s resident mystery box and that cafeteria stare-down? Electric. What do we think: is Avery about to make life hell, or will Sienna become the ride-or-die bestie Aria needs? How long before Aria starts digging into those “old secrets”? Drop your hot takes below, my sweeties 💋.