Lina was used to the laughter.
It followed her everywhere — at school, in the hallways, even at home when she tried to practice her art.
No matter how hard she worked, failure seemed to cling to her like a shadow. Tests she failed, projects that fell apart, and the cruel jokes whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
"Why even try?" they'd say, smirking. "You're just going to mess up again."
But Lina kept going. Because deep inside, beneath the laughter and doubt, there was a quiet voice telling her she could be more.
She just had to believe it.
Let me know if you want me to continue editing the next chapters, or if you want me to send the full edited novel once I'm done!
Meanwhile, I'm also working on some cover design concepts and will share them shortly.