In those distant days, Riana’s experiences at Christian Academy were like a journey through uncharted territories. It was an ordinary afternoon when Samay, the most popular girl of all, approached her. Samay, with her captivating smile, dressed boldly, exuding a confidence that drew the attention of the boys around. Her lips were adorned with a deep red lipstick, echoing her sensuality. 
— "I came to invite you." — Samay began, tossing her hair with a graceful gesture. — "Friday night, there’s a party at my house. It’ll be a celebration of girls and, of course, boys too. Your presence is essential; after all, you’re the richest girl in school, and I’m the most popular. A perfect combination." 
Riana merely thanked her with a simple, "thank you." 
— "Oh, and one more thing." — Samay continued in a commanding tone. — "You need to come with someone. Wear something cooler. With so much money, you should look as pretty as I do." 
Riana merely nodded in agreement, not saying a word. Christian Academy, with its impeccable reputation for discipline, was a new world for her, filled with challenges and intriguing people. Despite her stunning beauty, Samay was known for her acidic and arrogant personality, but that was still unknown to Riana. 
Samay’s invitation seemed, at first glance, like a tempting opportunity for Riana. After all, making new friends was her main goal for her last year in school, and who knows, she might even find the boy of her dreams who wandered the same halls as she did. However, a whirlwind of emotions tumultuously swirled in her mind at that moment. 
The sudden and painful loss of her mother had left Riana completely devastated. Even a year after the tragic event, the pain still felt as fresh as if it had occurred just yesterday. While her father and brother seemed immersed in their own worlds, Riana struggled to find a sense of normalcy amid the anguish that consumed her. 
In this context of mourning and solitude, the idea of engaging in social activities seemed almost futile. How could she worry about making new friends when her heart still bled for her mother? The pain was a constant shadow that accompanied her, overshadowing any glimmer of hope that might arise. 
Despite everything, Riana continued to breathe, facing each day with a silent courage, even when the pain threatened to suffocate her. Perhaps, somewhere within her, there still existed a spark of hope, a small light that propelled her to carry on, even when everything around her seemed to crumble. 
At home, after a solitary dinner, Riana found herself battling the need to confide in someone. Jully, her closest friend, would have been the obvious choice, but upon hearing her friend’s overflowing happiness on the phone, she found herself unable to unload her own problems onto her. Jully was radiant with her new college relationship, and Riana didn’t want to spoil that special moment for her friend. 
Bidding farewell with a forced smile, Riana hung up the phone, feeling even lonelier than before. Samay’s party was fast approaching, and Riana found herself facing the challenge of finding a companion and a “cool” outfit, as requested by the school’s popular girl. 
With a resigned sigh, Riana sat on the edge of her bed, lost in thought. The sound of a knock on the door pulled her from her momentary stupor. With the phone still in hand, she hesitated for a moment. Contacting Samay seemed like a daunting challenge, but Riana knew she needed to find a solution to her situation. With her heart pounding with fear, she finally decided to open the door and face the unknown waiting on the other side. 
— "Come in." — Riana gave permission as Aila Will entered the room with a warm smile. 
— "Can I bring you your dinner?" — The housekeeper offered kindly. 
Riana sighed, a mixture of discouragement and anxiety taking over her. 
— "I’m not hungry. Did my dad call?" — She asked, hoping for news that would bring some comfort to her temporary loneliness. 
Aila kept her affectionate smile as she replied: 
— "Yes, dear. He said he’ll arrive on Saturday." 
Riana remained silent for a few moments, her gaze lost in thought. Then she turned to Aila with a question that had long intrigued her. 
— "Aila, can I ask you something?" — She invited the housekeeper to sit beside her. 
— "Of course!" — Aila promptly accepted the invitation, her sincere smile radiating calm and confidence. 
Riana didn’t hesitate to voice her doubt: 
— "How did you know you were in love with Dody?" 
Aila’s eyes sparkled with the memory, an expression of pure passion illuminating her face. 
— "Oh, my little angel, it was love at first sight." She declared with conviction. "We fell in love the moment we saw each other." 
Riana smiled at the housekeeper's enthusiasm, finding comfort in the simplicity of that love story. However, she soon changed the tone of the conversation, sharing her own concern. 
— "Before you ask anything about me being interested in someone, the answer is no." She asserted, denying the possibility of being romantically involved with anyone. "There’s a party tomorrow, and I need to go with someone." 
Aila reacted with enthusiasm, clapping her hands excitedly at the prospect of the young girl’s socializing. 
— "A party in the first month of school? You’re becoming popular." The housekeeper exclaimed, trying to cheer Riana up. 
However, Riana was far from feeling that way. 
— "I’m not." She corrected
, disheartened. She then handed a card to Aila. 
— "But who is this girl?" The housekeeper asked, curious. 
— "She’s the popular one, and she invited me to a party at her house." Riana explained. "But I have to go with someone." 
Aila seemed genuinely excited about the prospect of the party and wasted no time in asking: 
— "Have you chosen an outfit for the party?" 
Riana shook her head in denial, revealing her hesitation: 
— "I’m not going to that party." 
The housekeeper tried to encourage her: 
— "You will. You can take Estevan as your companion; he’s a good boy, and we know him." 
A flicker of hope rose in Riana’s heart at the suggestion, reflected in a faint smile. However, she quickly reconsidered: 
— "I wouldn’t have the courage; we hardly talk." 
After a brief moment of contemplation, she made a decision: 
— "I’ll find a companion tomorrow; don’t worry. And you can bring my dinner." 
With a comforting smile, Aila left the room, leaving Riana alone with her thoughts. Determined to find a solution to her dilemma, Riana picked up the phone and called Samay. On the other end of the line, her colleague's cheerful voice echoed. 
— "Sweetie, I was waiting for you to call; I knew you’d need me." 
Without hesitation, Riana got straight to the point: 
— "Can you come with me to the mall tomorrow? I need to buy some cool clothes." 
Samay burst into laughter before replying playfully: 
— "What do I get out of this?" 
Riana responded, trying to be kind: 
— "You can buy whatever you want for yourself." 
The answer seemed to please Samay instantly: 
— "Now you’re speaking my language. Tomorrow at lunchtime."