The beginning of hell.
AVA'S POV.
Ten years.
Enough time for them to bury those lifeless bodies. Enough time for the unknown monster to escape. Enough time for new night to take over that night. Enough time for the world to forget those death. Enough time to let go of justice.
Ten years.
Enough time for the world to accept that they are all gone .
Well not for me. That night is a part of me. A memory glued to me. Memory I wish to erase. But it's there. Stuck? No, it's just there, like it's where it's meant to be.
But ten years was enough for me to start afresh. A new world with lies. Lies created by the woman I wished I never met. Miriam.
She made me live a fake life. A hidden identity. Identity made by others, I was turned to a person I never was and I was forced to live with this forced identity.
Now I am Ava Jeremy. Ava? That name doesn't belong to me. I was just forced to hold on to it .
And I'm not sure I'm letting it go soon.
In other words. Help me!!
***
I walked into NEC hands linked with John and Precious. We were talking about our boring summer. Sorry. We were actually talking about how their summer was fucked up and how mine was the best. I smiled letting my gaze travel around , from the high black walls with gold crested gates to the main building, , the sleek white marble and smoked glass , with wide terraces and infinity – edge pools reflecting the sky.
The door opened and every eye turned to me. I walked into the school strutting as if practiced . Student rushed and surrounded me, as usual.
NEC. National Elite College isn't just a school. It's a country , and money is the government.
Most students are here on scholarships. Smart kids. Poor kids. Middle-class kids pretending they belong. But power? Power belongs to the rich.
The more money you have, the higher you rank. Rules suddenly become optional. Mistakes disappear. Doors open before you knock.
At NEC, grades don't make you important.
Money does.
And I've always known exactly where I stand.
I looked around, smiling. I loved the attention and appreciated it. One good thing about being rich is that people worship you. To the middle class , you are a president; to the poor, you're a god. I adored the power. I loved it.
A girl walked up to me, excited and almost shaking.
"I'm Enny, and I'm your biggest fan!" she said with a wide smile. "I'm so happy to meet you!" Enny was blushing like I was her celebrity crush.
The corner of my lips lifted slow and deliberate.
"I'm so glad to have a cute girl like you as a fan."
Can't they see us?" his voice came out as a whisper, but I heard it . "Or do I need to carry a sign that says I'm fucking human"
Precious let out a slow breath.
"Stop acting like you're not used to this. And more so no one is going to notice a boy that wears 90's shoes like as if it's a 2026 trend" Precious said harshly.
"But it's annoying."
"So are you."
I faced the crowd again. Trying not to focus on John and Precious childish argument.
"Thank you all for this wonderful welcome," a bigger smile formed on my lips, betraying me. "And because of this, I have a surprise… I will clear all AMA school bills." Everyone cheered and lost their minds.Some screamed. Some in tears. Tears of joy. Of course.
AMA , Ava Member Association , is the second-biggest group in NEC after KMA, Kellan Member Association. AMA and KMA are like best friends… or matchmakers. Everyone wanted Kellan and me to end up together.
"Why don't you organize a party too?"
I knew who it was already , that even and controlled voice.
Everyone turned when he walked in , like always. Some rushed toward him, eager to be seen, eager to matter. He wasn't just a student; he was the most influential boy at National Elite College and the school's biggest private sponsor. Power clung to him like a second skin.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and walked with the slow confidence of someone who knew the world would wait for him. His deep brown skin always looked smooth under the light, and his dreadlocks , thick, shoulder-length, and perfectly styled , had practically become a school trend. Girls called him "dangerously handsome." His eyes were dark, calm, unreadable , the kind that made you wonder what he was thinking and fear that he already knew everything about you.
But to me? He looked like a desperate, attention-starved beggar in designer clothes. His beard , that stupid, perfectly groomed beard , made him look older, more powerful. Most girls drooled over it. I wanted to hand him a razor. Not because the beard was ugly.
But because it belonged to Kellan.
And I hated Kellan.
John face tightened as he watched people rush to Kellan .
"But someone likes him get noticed more than me. Not surprised" he shouted a little, getting rude looks from some of the student.
Precious stared at him. Then looked at Kellan
"You can't blame him," Precious voice came out soft. Too soft. "He's so hot … like illegally hot" Precious spoke in a low , gentle tone that lingered, fanning herself with her hands.
"Yeah . In your delusion."
"It's reality."
Kellan walked closer. Slow and deliberate.
"You look beautiful. As expected." His words came out low, almost playful. But his face remained the same. Unreadable.
I scoffed under my breath.
You don't have to tell me. I look at myself in the mirror twice every morning. My hands went through my hair, placing some strands of my hair at the back of my ear.
"Thanks," The air smelt disgusted. And my voice felt disgusted.. "You look better than last time." I added , my skin betraying my words.
Phones came out immediately. People began recording , we were the school's celebrities. And the never ending gossip.
One corner of his mouth lifted.
"There's a party at the sea tonight. Do you wanna come? " voice steady as he spoke.
Though smart and rich, Kellan was terrible at being romantic. I paused for a moment. I mean who asks a girl out without flowers!
"Sorry, I'm too busy. Maybe next time." I smiled. Real this time. I loved turning him down.
I saw the immediate frown on his face, but he quickly removed it . He's doing a good job at hiding the pain.
" Maybe next time" he lifted his gaze on everyone, smiled at them. And left. Footsteps slow and careful. No , not careful, controlled, with powerful aura walking with him.
The bell rang , everyone legs began to move. Finally, I smiled at my self and walked away.
***
My legs walked into the my private restroom or what I like to call my safe zone. It's the only place where my fake smile can disappear. I walked closer to the mirror and instantly it dropped. The forced curve. I touched my cheek, rubbing it with care
" Pretending to smile is painful"
I rolled my eyes as I remembered what just happened. Gosh! I have to waste my money on those fake people . My hands dropped. I wished I could stop being nice, but I knew it was impossible.
I have to be fake. Like I was trained.
My legs found my way to the door but stopped abruptly when I heard those footsteps. I walked slowly closer to the door and I could immediately identify those voices.
"… don't like it . I hate the way everyone treats her like a queen," Chloe voice was sharp , unable to hide the sting in her voice. "She's no different from us."
"Well… she kinda is" Hannah replied carefully.
"How?"
Hannah let out a loud breath as if frustrated at the question.
"Well, she's rich, nice, caring, popular, beautiful, sexy, photogenic, talented…"
"Okay, okay, I get it," Chloe snapped. I could guess she wasn't smiling. "But you guys don't really know Ava."
I heard a footsteps walked closer to the door where Chloe wasn't far from. Someone was getting intrigued.
"What do you mean?"
"Miriam…" Chloe voice paused for a while, as if what she's about to say is huge. Making the curiosity in me grow more "Isn't Ava's real mum."
Ella and Hannah gasped loudly. Too loud, that it echoed repeated in my ear. My eyes shut for a while then went wide open, rage boiled inside me, for she knew too much. And unfortunately, she wasn't keeping it in.
"What do you mean?" Ella repeated. My lips dropped more. I wished I could zip all their mouths.
"Miriam is just Ava's aunt. Her real mum is dead… and her dad is in a coma"
Chloe voice came out low. Only meant for Hannah and Ella, but my ears were sharp.
I rolled my eyes, still wearing that calm face, but a flicker of fear tugged at me. If they weren't so distracted, they would have heard my loud breathing.
"But why would she lie?"
I tried to figure out whose voice was that, but I couldn't get it. I wasn't concentrating anymore, I just wanted to end this.
"Because her dad is a criminal." Every word that came out of her mouth was proud and deliberate. As if she has been waiting for this moment.
Chloe has to go. Fast.
"what kind of criminal?like…tax evasion or full blown Netflix documentary type?" the tiny voice was Ella's. I like Ella, she is my favorite among the trio. But right now, I want to shut her up.
"yeah, are we talking ' stole gala from a fridge' or 'escape from prison in a helicopter"
My shoulder shrugged as Hannah spoke. She was my least favorite. Hannah was one of those kids who think they matter in life because of the little money, what I like to call trash, that they call wealth.
Hannah had so little, but to her it's something worth bragging about.
Someone pushed out a heavy breath.
" you guys are seriously not serious" it was Chloe.
"How do you know all this?" someone asked. I didn't try to find out who. My head already ached.
"I just know" Chloe's voice filled the room confidently. Then . silence. Until the slow , then loud laughter .
" why…why…what" Chloe stammered. Her voice cracking.
"So because you hate Ava, you just created this whole story?" Hannah asked, still laughing. " Girl, you really typed 'novel' just to win a jealousy contest"
"What?" Chloe snapped, voice in the air, clipped and sharp.
"Your lies are obvious," Ella's laughter ceased "Let's go"
"Yeah." I heard the slow retreating footsteps followed by Chloe's loud voice "I'm not lying! It's the truth, I…" Chloe yelled until her voice became distant.
I opened the door and stepped out. I scanned around. Empty. My nails dug into my palms , peeling my skin until it stung. My eyes instantly shut itself without control. I let out a heavy breath without control.
My eyes shut wide open.
Chloe need to go!!
** *
"Since when do you make coffee yourself?" I said to Miriam immediately I entered the house. The air smelt heavier, like as if it was waiting for me to speak first. Plush armchair lined the walls, their faded velvet giving off the faint scent of old perfume and wood polish. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.
On the coffee table. Magazines were stacked carefully and neatly, their edges sharp and untouchable, while a single vase held wilted flowers.
I walked closer to her. Apart from being a wicked fool, Miriam is also lazy. And by lazy I mean someone that has to call one of the servant to help her pick the remote that's literally beside her.
Miriam turned to me.
"Since today. Since I'm in a bad mood."
"You're always in a bad mood," my tone dry and flat.
I walked closer. Again. The space between us already filled up.
"But today's own is kinda different, It looks like you just received a heartbreak"
Miriam smiled darkly, eye boring at me . Then. Smash!! The cup shattered at her feet. I stood still. Shocked visible on my face. Before I could speak, Miriam slapped me, hard. I touched my stinging cheek and glared.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" my voice cut out. Sharp and loud, with a hint of pain in it. Miriam moved close, palm squeeze tight, as though she just started with me. She grabbed me and punched me repeatedly. I fell to the floor. I touched my mouth and felt warm blood. "Why are you doing this?" my voice tore through the room.
Miriam scoffed.
"You bastard," her voice laughed. "You're too busy? Really? Do you know how annoying that was? He asked you out and you rejected him!"
I inhaled sharply and exhaled, my chest rising and falling.
"So you're doing all this because of him?"
Miriam crouched and grabbed my cheeks roughly. "You've grown wings, Ava. It seems Kyle doesn't mean much to you."
"Leave my father out of this," I shouted , my voice making my mouth tremble. My body stood still, but inside, it was like a battle was going on.
Miriam smiled , the smile holding something cruel. "Then do what I say," she said, her voice sharp. "You owe me your life… don't make me take it. Clean this mess" She patted my face and stood up. When she left, I stayed curled on the tiles, blood in my tongue, fingers digging crescents into my palms.
I remained on the floor, furious. I wiped the blood from my mouth with my palm.
"I'm going to get you. Before you get me" I whispered darkly. "You will pay."