*Chapter 1: "The Weight of Bad Luck"
Maya felt like the universe was conspiring against her. Every day was a struggle, and she couldn't catch a break. She'd spill coffee on her shirt, trip on the sidewalk, and forget important appointments. Her bad luck had become a constant companion, one she couldn't shake off.
As she walked through the school hallways, Maya felt like she was invisible. People passed her by, not even noticing her existence. She was just another face in the crowd, a girl with bad luck and a perpetual frown.
Maya's love life wasn't any better. Her recent breakup with her boyfriend had left her heartbroken. He'd cited her bad luck as the reason for the breakup, saying he couldn't handle the constant stress and anxiety that came with dating her.
Maya felt like she was cursed, like she'd never find happiness. She'd try to put on a brave face, but deep down, she knew she was struggling. Her self-esteem was at an all-time low, and she felt like she was losing herself in the process.
As she sat in class, staring blankly at the teacher, Maya couldn't help but wonder what she'd done to deserve such bad luck. Was she somehow flawed? Was there something fundamentally wrong with her?
The teacher's voice droned on, but Maya's mind wandered. She thought about her parents, who were always fighting and barely speaking to each other. She thought about her friends, who seemed to have their lives together while she was struggling. She felt like she was alone in her misery.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Maya gathered her things and filed out of the room, feeling like she was just going through the motions. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew she couldn't keep living like this.
As she walked down the hallway, Maya noticed a boy watching her from across the room. He had piercing blue eyes and a charming smile. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Maya felt a spark of electricity. Maybe, just maybe, her luck was about to change.
... (to be continued)