Eden couldn't sleep that night. His thoughts were a whirlwind—his parents' constant fights, the divorce, and the suffocating tension that seemed to surround him. The atmosphere in the house felt heavy, as though something was broken beyond repair.
His mother's voice was strained as she spoke, her face worn from the constant stress. His father was silent, lost in his own thoughts. Tonight, their life together had shattered.
Eden: "Mom, where will I go? What happens now?"
Lyra, his mother, looked at him with sad eyes, but her words were gentle yet firm. "Eden, I think it's time you understand. Your father and I... We can't stay together. The fighting, the tension... It's become too much for us to handle."
Her words didn't make sense to him. How had everything gone wrong so fast? His mother continued, speaking softly into the phone.
Lyra (on the phone): "Mom, we need to make arrangements for Eden. He can stay with you for a while. He'll be safe there."
Eden's heart sank. He couldn't grasp the reality of what was happening. His family was falling apart, and he had no idea what the future held for him.
After a while, they finished packing, and the car was ready. Lyra and Eden drove silently, the weight of the situation hanging heavy in the air. Eventually, they arrived at his grandmother's house. The place seemed welcoming but unfamiliar, and it felt like he was stepping into a new world.
When they arrived, Margaret, his grandmother, opened the door with a warm smile. Despite the warmth in her eyes, Eden could see the sadness reflected in them. She was kind but also felt the heaviness of the situation.
Margaret: "Eden, dear, you're going to be fine here. We'll take care of you. Don't worry, you're not alone."
Eden nodded slowly, but his mind was still clouded with questions. His parents' voices, their anger, their tears—everything was too overwhelming to process.
Lyra, his mother, walked over to Margaret. "Mom, he's been through a lot. I don't know how he'll handle all of this."
Lyra: "Eden needs time to settle, but he's strong. We'll get through this."
Margaret placed a reassuring hand on Lyra's shoulder. "You know he'll be fine here. He needs to rest, to find some peace."
As they talked, Eden tried to make sense of everything, but there was a deep ache in his chest. He missed his old life, even if it had been full of arguments.
Lyra then turned to Eden. "There's one more thing we need to discuss. I've arranged for you to attend Premium High School."
Eden: "Premium High School? What is that?"
Lyra explained, "It's a good school, a chance for a fresh start. You don't have to worry, you'll be okay. The people there, they'll accept you."
Eden felt a rush of uncertainty. New school, new people, a fresh start—he didn't know if he was ready for it.
Eden: "But what if I don't fit in? What if I'm not good enough?"
His mother smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Eden, you are more than enough. Just be yourself. You have so much to offer. The school will help you grow."
Eden couldn't bring himself to believe her completely. The fear of not fitting in haunted him, but he didn't say anything more.
After settling in, Lyra spoke softly, "There's also your aunt Clara. She's been really supportive throughout all of this. I know you're probably wondering why everything has changed so suddenly. But we're trying to give you a better future, Eden."
Eden nodded slowly, though he still had doubts. The next morning, he sat by the window, looking out at the unfamiliar neighborhood. The sun was shining, but it didn't bring the comfort it used to. All he could think about was Premium High School and whether he would ever truly find his place there. His mind kept returning to one question—would he ever fit in?
End of Chapter 1