CHAPTER 1

The nature is indeed very soothing. These flowers that grow where I dwell, these tenacious blossoms of the city streets, born to take whatever comes their way and make beauty of it, I admire them. It is as if they call for some trees to accompany them, to make the city streets brighter, to refresh the air that we breathe. There are times I feel that they are nature’s graffiti, that chaotic rebellious element cheering us on. And to introduce myself, my name is Bella Lynn. I was walking back home after a laborious day at the school. I had a badminton match in which I triumphed. I always walk through the park on my way home. Nature is my best friend, apparently my only friend. I don’t like people very much. I don’t mingle with them easily. I just like being myself. I am a taciturn. My parents keep telling me “Bella, you should socialize more” and I reply to them in a monotonous tone ” Mom and Dad, I have told you that I am socializing with myself. What’s the big deal? “ I am pretty good where Academics are concerned. Arithmetic is my favorite and I am the fastest calculator in the school. I'm good at programming too. I aspire to become an ethical hacker.

As I headed towards my home, I heard some whispers. I recognized that one voice was my mother’s. The door was open. When I went closer , I saw that on the couch, my mom was talking to a lady and her daughter who looked more or less of my age. The girl was blond from root to tip, born to bring more golden sunshine into this world. It showed too. It showed in those soulful blue eyes as bright as any glacier yet so very warm. She was wearing a gold specked grey dress. She was gorgeous. Okay, so here comes one of the awkward moments. As a matter of fact, my mom has tried befriending me with several girls but to no vain. I always disappoint her. As soon as my mom saw me, she roared with exhilaration ”Bella !! Meet our neighbor Mrs. Diana and her gorgeous daughter Jessica. They have recently moved to Texas. “ In a conservative tone I said,” Hello! Nice to meet you Mrs. Diana and Jessica.” Accustomed to saying this she says,” Bella, why don’t you take Jessica to your room while I talk to Mrs. Diana?” I really wanted to tell her that I have had a strenuous day at school and I would love to lay on my bed alone. At this very moment, I didn’t have the guts to deny this as I was very exhausted. So I took Jessica to my room.

I ushered her to the couch. There was tranquility for quite some time. I noticed there was something queer about her face. No doubt she was gorgeous but there was something peculiar, she just didn’t seem real. Okay I am not a person who believes in ghosts but at that very moment my instinct just made me think she was a ghost. Fortunately and surprisingly she broke the silence and in a friendly tone she said, “ So , tell me about yourself . I am new to Texas and I haven ’t really met many people so officially you would be my first friend here ” and she smiled. She seemed to be a friendly person. I replied in a somewhat same tone, ” I am quite passionate about playing badminton. I don’t want to boast but I am the best player at my school. As far as academics are concerned, I am good at it. And as a matter of fact, maybe you are my first friend too. I am not into making friends. Rather I don’t like people . I like being by myself. “ At this we giggled together. Our conversation went further. “So how do you like Texas so far? I know it might be hard to leave everyone there and shift to a completely unaccustomed place”

“I had quite a number of friends back there . I really miss them . I had the fun I could never have in my life. There were some of the best memories which will never perish. The thought of them makes me mourn.”

She started weeping. I really pitied her. I usually don’t do this, but following my instincts, I went and hugged her. I assured her by saying, “ I am sorry. Don’t worry I am here .”

Moving on, we started talking about our school ,hobbies and passions. It turned out that she was the best athlete in her school. She was a mediocre in academics. We were so involved in our conversation that we didn’t feel time slipping by. It was until our parents called us out that we did realize it was past our curfew.

At last I went to bed after a long, strenuous and content day. The next day was a holiday as it was supposed to be Confederate Memorial Day . I didn’t even know what that was , not that I cared. Accordingly , I didn’t keep an alarm as a good night’s undisturbed sleep was what I was craving for since several days.