Burning hearts and broken hopes

I once had all a teenage girl could wish for. My parents, though loving, demanded perfection at every turn. My mother, the polished face of the biggest law firm in the city, commanded respect with every calculated smile. My father, a brilliant brain surgeon, was revered for his steady hands and sharp mind, a man who saved lives while demanding excellence from his children.

I had two older brothers, complete opposites of one another, each wrapped in their own tumultuous stories. Amoni, the oldest, bore a name that meant "nobody," a title he had worn like a shroud. He was the family screw-up, the one who never quite fit in. After finishing high school, he fled to Georgia, seeking a fresh start that came with cutting ties to our family—except for me. The last I heard, he was living with his boyfriend, Keilyn, in a small house nestled among the sprawling Southern pines, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was haunted by the choices he made.

Then there was Navi, my second-oldest brother—a model of typical teenage success, the embodiment of the popular straight-A student. He led his class with a charisma that lit up the room, captaining the football and basketball teams while effortlessly dominating the debate team. His achievements shone like a beacon, casting a long shadow over my own struggles.

Last was Micah, my ex-boyfriend, whose name still lingered in the corners of my mind like a ghost. He was co-captain of both football and basketball, second only to Navi in academics, their bond unbreakable and inseparable. If you found one, the other was sure to be lurking nearby, their laughter echoing in the hallways of our lives.

I haven’t introduced myself yet. Hi, I’m Zevia, but most people just call me Zev. I was known as the queen bee—an ironic title reflecting my popularity rather than my behavior. Most girls envied me, viewing my life through a lens of glittering perfection: cheer captain, straight A's, and a boyfriend who was the epitome of charm. But beneath the façade, everything seemed perfect until it shattered.

When I found out Micah had been cheating on me, the world tilted on its axis. Confronting him was like stepping into a minefield, and breaking up was the only escape route I saw. But when I told Navi, his fury was palpable; he couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t forgive Micah, why I wouldn’t just pretend everything was okay. My parents echoed his sentiments, their disappointment wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket, insisting I had messed up and should reconcile with Micah, even if it meant facing betrayal again. The weeks that followed were a downward spiral; my grades plummeted into the abyss, and my once-coveted popularity withered like autumn leaves. Mornings became a battleground; forcing myself out of bed and to school took a lot of energy. I started smoking- a way to calm my nerves, at least that's what I said. My life became dull- pointless to me, my will to live shrinking, the circles under my eyes from sleepless nights deepened. When the next school year hit, I was in a new school in a different town, living in a tiny apartment by myself. I had moved out from my family's house, weighed down by my parents' disappointment and the dirty looks sent my way by everyone at school. The school I'm currently driving to is called Dunshaw Heights- known for its unruly and intimidating students. Monday morning arrives and I throw on an off the shoulder black shirt paired with light blue jeans and black converse sneakers. I drove my black Cadillac to school and upon arriving, noticed students with tattoos and dark attire- exactly the type of crowd parents usually warn about. As I exited my car and walked towards the entrance, I felt many eyes on me, casting curious glances. By lunchtime, I was exhausted and bewildered, having been late to all of my classes due to not being able to find them.