Chapter 15

March 2020. Amariyah was attending school, getting good grades and honestly getting on amazingly with her life. Even though she had fallen out with Nicki and she hadn't been in contact with her dad, she still had to focus on the more important things in life. She had tried her hardest to not let those little things bring her down.

Unfortunately, 2020 decided to take a whole turn and ruin the world. A virus called Corona had made an interesting appearance into the world causing schools to close, businesses to close and basically all countries and cities to go on lockdown. During this pandemic, Amariyah struggled to complete work from home. It was super hard for her to concentrate and she just found it difficult to learn the new topics by herself. On the other hand, not everything was bad in the lockdown. Amariyah had began to come closer to a boy called Ryan. Over a short period of time, the two had been texting each other just getting to know one another. It was clear that Amariyah had a crush on him and surprisingly she had built up the courage to tell him; when he told her that he liked her back she was immediately shocked.

Even though they liked each other, they had decided to stay friends and get to know each other. They texted nearly every day, making jokes, sharing "funny" videos and even arguing over the littlest things. It had been about a week since the two had spoken, it was that it honestly weighing on Amariyah. Instead her pride just wouldn't let her text him first.

The clock struck 12am indicating that it was Amariyah's 14th birthday. She really wasn't excited as it was in lockdown and she couldn't see her friends. Her phone pinged meaning that she had gotten a message; when she checked she saw a little paragraph from Ryan wishing her a happy birthday. Seeing that literally warmed her heart, she felt special that he remembered her birthday. Immediately, she texted him back saying thank you and saying that she appreciated the text. They texted back and forth that night and it made Amariyah happy that they finally got back to talking. Amariyah decided to head to bed so she can get up bright and early.

Amariyah waking up early? Yeah that didn't happen. Even on her own birthday she didn't wake up early. When she did though, Amina came in her room singing happy birthday alongside her brothers. Amariyah said her thank you's and then headed to the bathroom to do her hygiene. Once she was finished she made her way downstairs and as she entered the living room she saw all the gifts laid on the table. Amariyah thought it was so cute the way how her mother and brothers amusingly watched her reaction. One by one she opened her presents and was thankful for each and every gift. Last but not least, Amina made her search for her last present. Amariyah looked and looked and then finally found it in the corner of the room, when she opened it it was a new phone making Amariyah jovial.

The day went on and Amariyah spent it facetiming her friends and responding to birthday wishes. She was happy for another year and for that she had to thank God. Even though she didn't get to spend it the way she wanted to, she was lucky that she still had a place on this Earth. When night time came, she carried on texting Ryan and telling him what she got. She did her hygiene and night routine then finally hit the pillow.

What a nice, calm day she thought...