The Unseen Observer

Ariah Byone sat in science class, her eyes drifting across the room to land on Finney Blake. She had been secretly admiring him from afar for weeks, maybe even months. There was something about him that drew her in, something that made her want to reach out and help him. Maybe it was the way he looked so lost and alone, or the way he seemed to shrink away from the world around him. As she watched, Finney's eyes dropped to his desk, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his own misery. Ariah's heart went out to him, and she felt a pang of sympathy. She knew what it was like to feel like an outsider, to be judged and misunderstood by those around you. Finney's life was marked by bullying at school and abuse at home. Ariah had seen him get pushed around by his classmates, and she had heard rumors about his father's temper. It broke her heart to think about it, and she wished she could do something to help him. But for now, she was stuck in her seat, watching him from afar. She noticed the way he fidgeted with his pencil, the way his eyes darted nervously around the room. He was scared, and he didn't know how to protect himself. Ariah felt a surge of frustration. Why couldn't she just go over there and talk to him? Why couldn't she be the one to help him through this tough time? But she was stuck, frozen in her own fears and doubts. As the teacher droned on, Ariah's mind began to wander. She thought about Finney, and what his life must be like. She thought about her own life, and how she had always felt like an outsider. She thought about her mom, the town's medicine woman, and how some people feared her for her hoodoo practices. Ariah's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the bell ringing. The class was over, and she was free to go. She gathered her things and stood up, her eyes meeting Finney's across the room. For a moment, they just looked at each other, and Ariah felt a spark of connection. But then Finney looked away, and Ariah was left feeling like she had imagined the whole thing. She sighed, shouldering her backpack as she made her way out of the classroom. As she walked down the hallway, Ariah couldn't shake the feeling that she was meant to do something, to help Finney in some way. She just didn't know what that was yet. The rest of the day passed in a blur, Ariah's mind stuck on Finney and his struggles. She wondered what she could do to help him, and whether she would ever find the courage to reach out. Little did she know, their lives were about to become intertwined in ways she never could have imagined. And as she walked home from school, Ariah felt a sense of foreboding, a sense that something was coming, something that would change everything. Ariah's mom, Celeste, was waiting for her when she got home. She was a kind-faced woman with a warm smile, and Ariah felt a surge of love for her. "Hey, sweetie," Celeste said, as Ariah walked in the door. "How was your day?" Ariah shrugged, dropping her backpack on the floor. "It was fine," she said, not wanting to talk about it. But Celeste's eyes were keen, and she could see the worry etched on Ariah's face. "What's wrong, baby?" she asked, concern etched in her voice. Ariah sighed, feeling a lump form in her throat. "It's just Finney Blake," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's always getting picked on, and I feel so bad for him." Celeste's expression softened, and she reached out to hug Ariah. "You have a good heart, sweetie," she said. "And I'm sure Finney appreciates your concern." But Ariah just shook her head, feeling a sense of frustration. "I wish I could do something to help him," she said, her voice filled with longing. And as she hugged her mom back, Ariah felt a sense of determination. She was going to find a way to help Finney, no matter what it took. Little did she know, their lives were about to become intertwined in ways she never could have imagined.