MICHAEL'S POV.
I stood amidst the vibrant dandelions, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze, when I saw her - a vision of beauty, skipping towards me with an ethereal grace. Her braids cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night, and her floral dress seemed to bloom with every step. But what struck me most was the uncanny resemblance - she was my twin, my mirror image.

Yet, as she approached, a dark cloud shrouded the sun, and the air grew heavy with foreboding. Her eyes, once bright and warm, turned icy and accusatory. 'Why did you leave me, Michael?' she spat, her voice like a venomous whisper. 'Why did you force me to go out that night?'

I trembled, my heart racing with guilt and fear. 'I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...I thought we could have fun together...' My words trailed off, futile against the storm brewing within her.

Her face twisted in a snarl, and she raised her hand, the locket I had given her now transformed into a dagger. 'You should have listened,' she hissed, striking me with a force that sent me tumbling into darkness.

'Mitchell!' I screamed, jolting awake from the nightmare that had haunted me for years. I gasped for breath, my pillow drenched with sweat. I reached for the pill bottle on my nightstand, my hand shaking as I popped the lid and swallowed the familiar comfort. I sat at the edge of my bed, trying to calm the storm within, but the memories lingered, refusing to be silenced."

I'm the type to always get up as early as 4:30 a.m. because I find sleeping eight hours a waste of time. "Get up and get something done," is my motto and also because of my nightmares.

Today, I intend on getting to school late since we're going camping, which I hate. By 7:00 in the morning I'll be ready.

"I sat on my bed, lost in thought, my gaze drifting to the purple bracelet on my dresser. 'It's been a long time since I've worn you,' I whispered, a mix of nostalgia and melancholy washing over me. I hadn't put it on since...since everything changed.

Memories flooded my mind as I picked up the bracelet, its soft purple hue evoking a sense of comfort. I got this when I was just five years old, from a girl in America - a girl with a scar on her neck, a constant reminder of her pain. She would cry whenever she looked at it, and I wanted to help her forget, to feel safe.

I remembered exchanging bracelets with her, a symbol of our newfound friendship and a promise to remember each other. I had hoped it would bring her solace, a reminder of my twin sister and me. But now, the memories it held felt like a burden, a weight I couldn't shake.

I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the clasp. I hadn't worn it in years, afraid of unlocking the floodgates of my past. But something about tonight felt different. Maybe it was the nightmare, or maybe it was the silence of the night, but I felt an overwhelming urge to confront my memories, to face the ghosts I had been running from."

I wore the bracelet and headed downstairs for breakfast. As I descended the stairs, I spotted my dad at the dining table reading a newspaper. "Man, this is not good," I thought to myself. My dad would definitely not let me off easy. I was going to get a quiz from my dad this morning.

"Good morning, papa," I said, settling in for breakfast.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm good, thanks," I replied.

He took a sip from his teacup. "How has school been?" he asked, getting started with the questions.

I spotted my mum coming downstairs with the twins in her hands-Marco and Marcus, just above three years old but not yet four. "Good morning, mama," I greeted.

"Good morning, honey," she answered back with a kiss on my cheek. Trust my mom to always do that.

Ten minutes later, my annoying older brother and my extra-annoying younger sister, Marion and Maria, came downstairs for breakfast. They're one of the reasons I go to school early-it really sucks having four siblings. They both settled down for breakfast.

To be honest, my sister likes me, but I don't find getting too attached to someone good-I always end up regretting it.

"Good morning, Michael. How is-" My sister began, but I cut her off.

"Don't you have to eat breakfast and be early to school? I don't think you value your time," I said, interrupting her.

I knew it hurt her, but at this point, I just wanted to have breakfast and get out of this house. I could feel my dad's gaze on me.

"Michael, when did you become this cold to everyone, no exception? Do you think that being a good basketball player is the only thing you will ever need? Family is what you need and should be the most important after God," he said, but I retorted back.

"You think I believe in something even you can't see? It's all bull crap, Dad," I said, raising my voice.

"If you don't believe in it, that doesn't mean you should look down on it. Why are you being so cold?" he asked.

"I'm not being cold, I just don't find many things these days interesting," I said, trying very hard to end this conversation.

"After the incident with your sister, you've been like this," he said.

"Dad, please don't bring that issue up, because Dad, I do not sleep around. I don't drink, I don't party, I try my best to have good results. What more do you want from me, huh? You know I hate it when someone brings that freaking issue up," I said, getting more agitated.

"It's okay if you don't want to hear it. It's fine. Finish up and get going, but I pray you do not regret this," he said.

I continued with my food in silence. Was I really going to regret not enjoying my teenage hood? I thought. "Have you gotten your camping equipment ready?" Mama asked.

"Yes, it's in the car," I said.

"You're going camping? You didn't tell me," Marion said.

"Since when have we been that close?" I asked.

"Sorry," he said.

"Michael, he is your older brother. Show some respect," Mama said.

"Tell him to mind his own business," I said.

When I was done with breakfast, I stood up to leave. "Bye, I'm off to school," I said.

"Maria, hurry up! You are always late for school," Mom said.

"Not all the time," she said, getting angry at the food.

HADIZAH'S POV.

I freaking love my school. It was my first camping trip ever, and I am so excited. The buses carrying us were two and fully air-conditioned. The bus looked very elegant to my taste, even though some of them were still disgusted with the thought of living in the forest.

I heard Rose lamenting, "He said he was going to be running late, but not this late."

From the tone of it, I knew she was talking about her boyfriend. A few minutes later, Ethan arrived.

"I'm sorry, babe. I didn't know I was going to be this late," he said, kissing her cheek.

"You know I can't stay mad at you. Apology accepted. Let's head in if you don't want the others to leave us behind," she said, holding his hand, and they both entered the bus.

"I hate camping," Ava said tiredly.

"Hey, you do not get to ruin my first day of camping, okay? Now smile and let's go," I told her.

"Sir, yes, sir," she said, as if she was in the military. She is very funny.

When we got into the bus, Ava and I were luckily together.

"I'm so happy we are together. It's such a coincidence. This is so cool," she said.

"I love it also. It's like we are meant to be together," I said, side-hugging her.

"Okay, kids, we move in ten minutes," Miss Melissa said.

"I'm here," I heard a certain husky, annoying voice.

I surveyed the bus and realized the only seat available was the one beside... Oh God, this is not good, I thought.

"Oh, how lovely for you to be on time, Williams," Jefferson said.

"When are you ever going to be on time, Jefferson asked," with authority.

"Seriously, does your stupidity have limit or is today a special occasion," Michael asked, rudely.

"Williams, why were you late," Jeffrey asked with authority.

"You want an answer, it's right here packed in punch, it's suits the face of you might ask and trust me it'll keep you shut for the rest of the ride," Michael said.

"Would it kill you to be nice?" Jeff said.

"Would it kill you to act like the vice-principal's son?" he retorted back with a death glare.

"Don't tell me they are going to start in the bus again. Oh, Allah (God), help," I muttered.

He sat down, and the only advantage I have is that there were arm supports. I'm okay as long as he doesn't mess with me.

I started chanting some adhkar.

"What are you saying?" Ava asked, looking confused.

"Oh, that? It's just a way of begging my lord to keep me safe and sound," I said confidently.

"Okay, that's so cool. Will you teach me?" she asked enthusiastically.

"Okay, but aren't you a Christian?" I asked, smiling at her demand.

"I could do both," she said, shrugging her shoulders.

"No, Ava. You have to choose one, and it has to be the one that you like and care more about and you think is the right thing," I said, and I think she understood my words because her facial expression said, "Aye, aye, captain."

"Understood. I want to get back to my book," she said, staying focused. She was reading Bridgerton.

I noticed a bracelet on her hand. It was with diamonds.

"I like your bracelet," I said.

"Thanks, it's from a friend," she said.

My brain jerked. Adunni, where is your bracelet? I thought.

"Uhmm, did you perhaps find my bracelet?" I said, looking worried.

"I saw it on you yesterday," she said.

"I can't afford to lose that bracelet," I said, with a distressed look on my face.

"Don't worry, you'll find it," Ava said.

"Thanks," I said.

One hour later...

"Hadi, doesn't that guy talk?" Ava whispered into my ear.

"Why should..." I stopped in the middle of the sentence, reflecting on what she said. "Wait, what did you just call me?" I asked, with a crimson on my cheek.

"It's a nickname I came up with for you. Don't you like it?" she asked.

"No, I love it. You are the first person to give a nickname, although my mum calls me by my middle name," I said, smiling.

"Hadi it is then," she said, and she went back to reading her book.

"You do know I'm not deaf," he said.

"Should you win a Nobel prize for that?" I asked in sarcasm.

"You know, if you drop the proud act, people will like you more," he said.

"What happened to you being a loner?" I asked him.

"I'm not a loner. I just enjoy going solo," he said with a frustrated face.

"What do you mean we need friends and family to progress in life, it's the law of life," I said.

"Family and friends make you weak," he said.

"What do you that is all wrong," I said.

"How about you enlighten me," he said.

"Having friends doesn't mean you are weak. It means you have people that care about you, that will and can take a bullet for you. The one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden, I took a pause to catch my breath.

I don't even know why I'm giving you this lecture because you enjoy going solo, I guess," I said, repeating his words.

I looked at him, and it looked like he understood my words, but why should I care? He's not going to listen anyway.

"Ava, I want to close my eyes for a bit," I said.

"Okay, go to sleep, beauty," she said, with her eyes fixed on the book.

ETHAN'S POV.

I looked at the green land and couldn't help but admire the creatures of the Almighty.

The Dee girls just followed me on Instagram. Rosy squealed.

I didn't say anything, because Rosy's followers are like her family and life, if I must add.

"I need to take photos before Miss Melissa takes our phones. I cannot believe I have to live in the forest. I'm going to get all dirty, with those scary noises," she said all irritated.

"You do know it's not as bad as you make it sound," I said.

"Easy for you to say, you don't have a skin care routine to follow," she said.

"It's you help you when you get lost in the wilderness," he said.

"Yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night," she said.

I shook my head and went back to reading.

"Don't you have anything better to do than to read? I'm sure even Einstein did not read this much," she said.

"Rosy, please. Did I disturb you when you've been on the phone throughout this journey? Can't you just leave me alone?" I said.

"Sorry, but please, can we take one photo, please, babe? Pretty please," she said in the cutest way ever.

"No, thank you. I'm good. You are only using me to get more followers," I said in a stern voice.

She wrapped her arms around mine. "Is your dad pressuring you again? If you want to talk about it, I'll always be here," she said.

This time, I knew Rosy was truly concerned about me, and only I get to see this side of her-the sweet and gentle Rosy.

I took her hand, and I interlocked our fingers. "Thank you for caring, Rosy. It means a lot, but I do not want to bore you with my family issues," I said.

"It's okay, babe. You are not boring me with anything. It's why I'm your girlfriend-to talk about things that matter and go through them together," she said.

I kissed her knuckles. "How about we take that picture now?" I said.

"I know you just want to change the subject, but anyway, let's take," she kissed my cheek, and we took the photo.

You might be wondering the kind of dad I have. I have a dad who controls everything in my life. I can't make a single decision without his knowledge. I read my books so much because I can't have less than ninety in any subject.

And now that I'm in S5, my second to last year, he has been building up my portfolio for Harvard University. I never grew up with a father who has time for his family. But because I have this look that both girls and boys are dying for, everybody thinks that I have a life as perfect as Disney princess movies.

I suddenly remembered the bracelet. I think I should return it when we get down.

"Who's that for?" Rosy asked.

"It's nothing you should worry yourself about," I said.

"Can I take a look?" she asked.

I handed the bracelet over to her, and she collected it.

"Whoever owns this has to be goddamn rich. It's worth almost two hundred thousand pounds," she said.

"Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief.

"I'm sure. I'm never wrong about fashion," she said. And it's true-she was a pro when it came to fashion.

I collected it back and put it in my pocket.

"Students, we are here," Miss Melissa said.

I let out a sigh of relief.

WRITER'S NOTE :
Another update.

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