Tate stepped through the gates of Salvador International High School, her heart beating a little too fast. A new year, a fresh start. That's what she told herself. This time, things will be different.
Last year had been awful. She didn't want to think about it, but the memories clung to her like a bad smell.
Her so-called best friends had humiliated her when they met her older brother. You two are related? They had laughed, looking between them like it didn't make sense. He was tall, good-looking, and naturally charming—the kind of guy people wanted to be around. And Tate? Well, you don't look alike at all, they had said with smirks. She knew what they meant.
She had told her mom about it, hoping for some reassurance. Her mom had sighed, hugged her, and said, Don't let them get to you. You're beautiful in your own way. But Tate had seen the hesitation in her mom's eyes, the way she rushed to comfort her like she was trying to cover something up. It didn't help. It just made Tate feel worse.
So, over the summer, she had made a decision—she cut them off. No messages, no explanations. She simply stopped talking to them. It was lonely, sure, but it was better than pretending to be okay with people who made her feel small.
But that wasn't the only thing that had sucked last year.
Her grades had tanked. Her parents had been so disappointed, especially her dad. She still remembered the way he rubbed his temples when he saw her report card, the sigh that felt heavier than words. Tate, we know you can do better than this. She had just nodded, unable to say anything, because what was there to say? She had tried. But no matter what she did, it never seemed to be enough.
And then there was her teacher. The one who never missed an opportunity to humiliate her in class. Every wrong answer was met with an exaggerated sigh. Maybe studying just isn't your thing, Tate. It had gotten to the point where she barely wanted to raise her hand anymore.
All of that was supposed to be behind her now.
But as she walked down the familiar hallway, her stomach twisted. Was this really a fresh start? Or was she just setting herself up for another year of disappointment?
She let out a slow breath and glanced toward her new classroom. The door was open, students already settling in, chatting in groups. She knew who they were—Salvador wasn't a huge school—but she had never really interacted with most of them.
Especially Martha Flame.
Martha was one of those people who seemed to shine effortlessly. Brilliant, beautiful, and confident. Even teachers were drawn to her, always calling on her in class, always impressed by her answers. Tate had always admired her from a distance. She was the kind of girl people noticed. The kind Tate sometimes wished she could be.
She adjusted the strap of her backpack and kept walking, trying to shake off the nerves.
"Tate!"
She turned at the sound of her name and saw Landon heading toward her. He was taller than she remembered, his usual easygoing smile in place. His sister had been friends with Tate's brother before they graduated, which had made Tate and Landon sort of friends. But not really. She had never felt completely comfortable around him, though she couldn't explain why.
"Hey," she said, forcing a smile.
"You excited for the new year?" he asked as they fell into step together.
Excited? Not exactly the word she'd use. Nervous? Anxious? Bracing herself for disaster? Those were more accurate. But she just shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."
Landon chuckled. "That was convincing."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling a little. At least he wasn't the worst person to run into on the first day.
As they walked, Tate's eyes landed on Allen in the crowd.
Allen wasn't exactly her neighbor, but close enough—his dad owned the apartment right next to her house.
When she was 13, she'd had a tiny, harmless crush on him. He always made her laugh whenever they interacted, whether through mutual acquaintances or just bumping into each other on the street. He was the first boy she ever liked, even if it was just a silly crush that never went anywhere.
Now, though? That feeling was long gone.
Allen caught her gaze and grinned, lifting a hand in a wave.
Tate hesitated for a second before awkwardly waving back. Something about the way he was grinning at her made her feel… weird. Not in a bad way. Just like he was being a little too enthusiastic. She wasn't sure what to make of it.
She sighed and turned back toward her classroom. It was just a room—four walls, desks, chairs. But to her, it felt like something more. It was the place where she'd be spending the next year of her life. A place where she'd either prove to herself that things could get better… or where everything would fall apart again.
What if nothing changed? What if this year was just another repeat of the last?
She tightened her grip on her backpack and took a dee
p breath.
No. This year would be different. It had to be.