Adira's POV
England wasn't home yet, but it was slowly becoming less of a prison. Tiana made sure of that. She had a way of pulling me out of my shell dragging me to lunch tables, introducing me to people, making me laugh until my ribs ached.
But with Ashley in the same building, peace was never guaranteed.
It happened on a Wednesday afternoon. We'd just finished History, and I was stuffing my notebook into my bag when Ashley's voice rang across the classroom.
"Oops. Look who still shops at the charity bin."
Laughter erupted. I froze, heat rushing to my cheeks. She was pointing at my sweater plain, grey, perfectly fine but in Ashley's world, if it wasn't designer, it was garbage.
I swallowed hard, ready to retreat, when Tiana stepped forward.
"At least she's wearing her own clothes," she shot back. "Not living off Daddy's credit card like a parasite."
The room went dead quiet.
Ashley blinked, stunned that someone dared to clap back. Then her face twisted. "Stay out of this, Tiana. Unless you want to be next."
Tiana didn't flinch. "Try me."
Gasps echoed. For the first time, people weren't laughing with Ashley, they were watching her. Waiting.
I should have stayed quiet. That was what I always did. But something in me cracked open. My voice came out steady, surprising even me.
"You know, Ashley," I said, meeting her eyes, "no matter how expensive your clothes are, they won't hide the fact that you're empty inside."
A ripple went through the room. Ashley's mouth dropped open, her perfect manicure curling into fists. For once, she didn't have a comeback.
I didn't wait for one. I grabbed my bag and walked out with Tiana at my side, my heart racing so fast it felt like wings.
When we reached the corridor, she grinned at me. "There she is. The real Adira."
For the first time in a long time, I smiled back without forcing it. Maybe she was right.
Maybe I was done being invisible.