The First Bell

I settled into my seat by the window, the soft hum of the classroom surrounding me. Miss Lavelle, the teacher, continued her lesson with clear, steady words. I listened closely, my pen gliding over my notebook with slow focus—trying to absorb every bit I could.

At lunch, I wandered through the courtyard with my tray in hand. The gardens were beautiful, the air clean, the conversations around me lively—but distant. No one invited me to sit. No one approached. I found a quiet bench beneath a flowering tree and ate alone, grateful at least for peace.

After class, I slipped into the library. It was warm and quiet, filled with more books than I'd ever seen. I wandered through the shelves, brushing my fingers along the spines, wishing I had someone to share it with—but I didn't. Not yet.

When the final bell rang, I stepped outside and spotted Mr. Philip's driver waiting near the entrance. He opened the car door with a kind smile.

"Emily and Josh are already home," he said as I climbed in. "They had a lot to say."

I gave a soft nod, resting my hands in my lap. No friendships had been made. No one had asked about me. But no one had mocked or rejected me either.

I looked out the window as Ridgeview Girls' College faded behind me.

Maybe today didn't change everything.

But it proved things could be different.

And that was enough—for now.

The house was quiet when I stepped through the door, my bag hanging loosely on my shoulder. Emily and Josh's laughter echoed faintly from upstairs, their voices light and full—still buzzing from their first day at school.

I made my way through the hallway, heading toward my room, when I paused. Mr. Philip's voice drifted faintly from his study, the door slightly ajar.

"…yes, Pat… I know. End of the month. I'll have everything ready," he said. His tone was gentle but focused. "The kids are adjusting well… Anne too. But I haven't told her yet. I'm waiting for the right time."

I froze.

His wife? And kids?

I stepped back quietly, careful not to make a sound, and walked into my room, my thoughts loud in the silence. The voices from Mr. Philip's study echoed over and over in my head.

I sat slowly on the edge of my bed, trying to steady my breath. The idea of his real family returning—their rightful place in this house—coiled tight around my chest.

What if we don't belong here at all?

What if we're just here until they arrive?

A quiet creak escaped beneath my foot as I shifted, and moments later, a gentle knock came at my door.

Mr. Philip peeked in, brows raised in surprise. "Anne… I didn't know you were home."

I turned quickly, wiping at my eyes. "You were on a call," I said softly. "I didn't want to disturb you."

His expression changed instantly. Concern softened his features as he stepped inside.

"Have you been crying?" he asked gently. "Did something happen at school?"

I shook my head quickly, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "No. Everything was fine."

But my voice trembled. I couldn't hold it back anymore. The worry, the fear—it was too much.

"I overheard you on the call," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You were talking to your wife… about her and your kids coming back to the house at the end of the month."

He didn't say anything at first. Just sat beside me, quiet and calm, waiting.

"I—I'm scared," I admitted, eyes burning. "What if they don't like us? What if we're just… in the way? What if, when they get here, you send us back to the streets?"

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. It had all felt so perfect, like something out of a dream. But now, the fear that it could all disappear pressed heavy on my chest.

Mr. Philip's eyes softened. He reached out and placed a warm, steady hand on mine.

"Anne," he said gently, his voice like a promise, "I want you to listen to me carefully. You're not going anywhere. This house is as much yours as it is mine, and it always will be. My wife knows about you and your siblings. She knows how important you are to me—and she can't wait to meet you."

I blinked, stunned. "She… knows?"

"She does," he said with a quiet smile. "She helped choose your schools. She asks about you all the time. My family… they'll like you, Anne. They'll love you. You'll be part of this family. Nothing is changing. I promised you that, didn't I?"

I nodded slowly, the tightness in my chest loosening just a little.

"Everything's going to be okay," he added, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

I took a deep breath. The heaviness hadn't disappeared completely, but it eased—just enough.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't mean to doubt everything."

He shook his head, his voice kind. "There's no need to apologize. It's normal to be worried about the things we can't control. But you're not temporary, Anne. None of this is."

I met his gaze, letting the words settle deep inside me.

For now, they were enough.

And maybe—just maybe—they would be enough for whatever came next.