Fina barely made it through the next few classes. Her hands trembled as she tried to take notes, and her chest felt tight, like she was fighting to hold herself together. Every time she thought of Sophia's cruel words, they echoed louder in her head, amplifying her doubts and insecurities.

By the time lunch rolled around, she couldn't take it anymore.

After checking to make sure none of her friends were following, Fina slipped into the girls' bathroom at the far end of the hallway. It was empty, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glow over the tiled walls. Her reflection in the mirror looked just as fragile as she felt—pale, with puffy eyes and trembling lips.

Her breath hitched as tears began to fall freely down her cheeks. Her legs felt too weak to keep her standing, so she slid to the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. Her phone buzzed softly in her pocket, but she ignored it. All she wanted was to disappear.

Finally, the weight of it all became too much. She shakily pulled her phone out and tapped her mom's contact.

The phone rang once, twice, and then Isabella's warm, familiar voice came through the speaker. "Fina? Everything okay, sweetheart?"

Hearing her mom's voice was her undoing. A sob escaped her lips before she could stop it. "M-Mommy," she stammered, her voice trembling.

"Fina, baby, what's wrong?" Isabella's tone shifted immediately, full of concern and urgency.

"I—I can't stay here," Fina choked out between sobs. "I feel awful. Please, can you come get me?"

"Of course, darling," Isabella said without hesitation. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Just stay where you are, okay? Are you in class?"

"No," Fina whispered, wiping her tears on her sleeve. "I'm in the bathroom."

"Okay, sweetheart. Stay put. I'm on my way."

As soon as the call ended, Fina set her phone aside and let the tears fall. She felt like a failure for calling her mom, but at the same time, the thought of seeing her mom's comforting face made her feel a little safer.

Twenty minutes later, Fina heard soft footsteps and a knock on the bathroom door.

"Fina? It's me," Isabella's voice came through, soft and steady.

Fina unlocked the door and opened it just enough to peek out. Isabella stood there, her expression full of worry and love. Without a word, Fina stepped out and wrapped her arms around her mom, burying her face in her shoulder.

"It's okay, baby," Isabella whispered, stroking her daughter's hair. "I've got you."

Fina nodded against her, unable to speak. Her mom gently picked her up, cradling her as if she were still a little girl.

As Isabella carried Fina down the hallway toward the main office, the group of friends—Aiden, Mia, and Ethan—spotted them. Aiden was the first to notice, his brow furrowing in concern.

"What's going on?" Mia whispered, nudging Ethan.

"Fina," Aiden said softly, stepping forward. "Mrs Romano , is she okay?"

Isabella paused, glancing at the worried trio. "She's not feeling well," she said gently. "I'm taking her home. Don't worry, I'll take care of her."

Aiden looked like he wanted to protest, but Mia rested a hand on his arm. "Feel better, Fina," Mia said, her voice laced with worry.

Fina peeked over her mom's shoulder and gave a weak nod, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Isabella carried her out to the car, gently setting her down in the passenger seat and buckling her in. "Let's get you home, sweetheart," she murmured.

When they arrived home, Fina felt completely drained. Isabella helped her up to her bedroom and tucked her into bed, sitting beside her.

"Do you want to talk about what happened, baby?" Isabella asked softly, brushing Fina's hair away from her face.

Fina shook her head, her throat tightening. "Not right now," she whispered.

"That's okay," Isabella said. "We can talk whenever you're ready."

Fina stared at her mom for a moment before mumbling, "Mamma...can you stay with me for a while?"

Isabella smiled gently and lay down beside her daughter, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Of course, my love," she said. "I'm not going anywhere."

Fina nestled against her mom, feeling safe for the first time all day. As she closed her eyes, her mom began to hum a soft melody, the same one she used to sing to Fina when she was a child.

For the first time that day, Fina felt like maybe, just maybe, things would be okay.



a/n

hello kids.