NEW BEGINNING

Peace had a very hard time adjusting to the new environment and the unfamiliar faces around her.

The atmosphere in the house felt cold, and the people, except for her Aunt Rose, weren't particularly welcoming.

Most days, she felt lonely and out of place. Her four cousins barely noticed her presence.

Though they lived under the same roof, they acted like strangers, distant, uninterested, and always wrapped up in their world. There were no invitations to play, no shared laughter, no bonding moments.

Still, Peace tried to stay hopeful.

"Maybe it's because I'm new," she would whisper to herself. "Maybe they'll come around with time."

But time passed, and nothing changed. If anything, the distance grew clearer. It wasn't that she did not try, she did. But her cousins were caught up in their own lives, their routines, and Peace wasn't a part of that world.

Her only real companions in the house were her mother, Anny, and Aunt Rose. Yet even they didn't know how lonely she truly felt. She had mastered the art of pretending,

Smiling when expected, nodding when spoken to, and hiding the ache in her heart. She knew why they had moved here, and she didn't want to make things harder for her mother.

One sunny afternoon, while she was curled up on the couch with a book she wasn't reading, she heard familiar voices calling out joyfully.

"Peace!" her mother and Aunt Rose sang in unison as they entered the room, their faces glowing with excitement.

"Yes, mummy?" she answered, sitting up quickly.

"We have great news!" they said almost together, beaming. "We found a new school for you. You'll be starting next week!"

Peace's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. A new school… a new beginning.

A hopeful smile spread across her face. She stood up and hugged her mum and Aunt Rose tightly.

"Thank you so much," she said, her voice soft but sincere. For the first time in a while, she felt a small flicker of excitement. Maybe, just maybe, this was the fresh start she needed.

On a Monday morning, Peace resumed school, just as her mother had said she would. She went to school with her mother, as it was her first day, and she was introduced to the principal. After hugging her, her mother rushed off to work. The principal then took Peace to her new class and introduced her to the other students..

Later that day, after school, Peace returned home feeling quite happy about her new school. She found the house empty, as her mother, aunt, and cousins had not yet arrived. Taking some time for herself, she freshened up and settled in to wait for her mother's return.

It was just as she waited, her aunt walked in.

"Peace," she called gently.

"How was school today?"

Peace looked up, a small smile forming on her lips.

"It was good, thank you."

Aunty Rose made her something to eat.

She went back to her room after eating.

Peace felt a sense of neglect as her cousins returned from school, making attempts to join them but still feeling overlooked. Memories of her uncle and grandma flooded her mind, reminding her of a time when attention and companionship were easily found. Although adjusting to her new home has been challenging, she knew she had to remain grateful and understand her mother's situation, even amidst her struggles..

Her life had completely changed in this new environment.

She was barely happy. There was no one to talk to, no one to play with.

She had a few friends at school, but school didn't feel like home.

No one seemed to notice just how much Peace was struggling.

Anny had become so caught up in work that she barely realized how the changes in their environment were affecting her daughter. She still loved Peace deeply, but the demands of her new life left little time for the closeness they once shared.

Anny assumed that, now a teenager, Peace would be able to handle certain things on her own.

But Peace was not handling anything at all she was sad, overwhelmed, and silently lonely.

The things that had once come easily in childhood, love, time, and attention were now missing.

Maybe this is what growing up feels like, she thought.

Maybe being a big girl means taking care of some things on your own.

So, Peace started to accept her new reality

a life with less love, less time, and less attention.

Things that once came freely when she was just a child,

She now had to live without.

Just as things had changed around her, peace had changed in ways no one would ever expect. Just as they say, environment changes people.