There's No Place Like Home
Sharp curses from outside sliced through my ears like blades.
You little curse! Why don't you just die!
She is my mother, but I've never seen any gentleness in her eyes.
That day, I was really hungry; my stomach was growling loudly, like a hand twisting inside.
She shoved me again, pushing me into a corner.
I was furious and suddenly lunged at her, pinning her head down.
I don't really remember what happened next, only that she was hitting and yelling at me wildly, and there was a stranger's voice piercing through the chaos.
"Stop!"
That woman knelt down; her eyes were bright, and her voice was soft.
"Child, do you want to come with me?"
I stared at the bread in her hand, its golden color shining softly in the dim light.
My throat felt as if it was clogged, and I could only swallow hard.
"I... can I?" I asked in a small voice.
She smiled, "Of course you can."
I nodded.
She led me out of that dark, damp room.
The air outside was fresh, and the wind against my face was cool, just a little.
"My name is Hanna Lynn, but you can call me Ms. Lynn." She spoke as we walked.
"Ms. Lynn..." I repeated softly, my voice barely more than a whisper.
We reached a white car; she opened the door and helped me inside.
The car was clean, with a gentle, faint fragrance.
I rested my hands on my knees, afraid to move them around.
"When you meet a man later, don't be afraid." Hanna Lynn said with a gentle smile.
"Will he... will he be angry with me?" I asked in a small voice.
"No, he just looks stern, but he's actually a good man."
Outside an unfamiliar house, Hanna Lynn led me inside.
The living room was spacious, with soft sofas and a beautiful carpet.
A man who looked very stern was sitting on the sofa, reading a newspaper.
"This is Mario Scott. From now on, you can call him Mr. Scott." Hanna Lynn introduced him.
Mario Scott looked up and studied me carefully.
His brows furrowed slightly, as if he was deep in thought.
"What's your name?" He asked.
I shook my head. I didn't have a proper name; before, they all called me 'Silly Girl.'
"I... I don't have a name."
Hanna Lynn took my hand and said to Mario Scott, "Since she doesn't have a name, let's give her one. How about Mia Scott?"
Mario Scott was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Mia Scott..." I whispered the name softly, feeling it warm me like spring sunlight.
"Mia, do you like your name?" Hanna Lynn asked.
I nodded fiercely, "I like it!"
That night, Hanna took me to a room.
Inside was a soft bed, with clean blankets and pillows.
I ran my hand gently over the blankets, feeling like I was dreaming.
"This is your room. From now on, you'll live here," Hanna said with a smile.
"Really... is this mine?" I couldn't believe it.
"Of course it's yours," she said, helping me tuck in the quilt. "From now on, this is your home."
I nodded, but didn't dare lie down right away.
Hanna Lynn poured me a cup of hot water and set it by the bed.
"Mia, are you hungry?" She asked.
I was very hungry, but felt too shy to say it, so I just nodded slightly.
Hanna Lynn smiled. "I just knew it." She turned and went to the kitchen, quickly bringing back a steaming bowl of noodles.
I took the bowl, the aroma rising to meet me.
With the very first bite, tears almost fell—not because it was bad, but because it was so delicious. I hadn't tasted anything this fragrant in a long time.
"Is it good?" Hanna Lynn sat beside the bed and asked.
"Delicious..." I nodded as I ate.
After I finished the noodles, Hanna Lynn helped me wash up.
She changed me into clean pajamas—a light blue pair with a little rabbit design on them.
"Mia, you rest well today. Tomorrow, I'll take you to buy some clothes, and then we'll go to school."
"School?" I looked up, feeling a little surprised.
"Yes, you should go to school, just like the other children."
I had never been to school before. Mom said I was stupid and didn't need to go.
"I... can I really go?"
"Of course you can. Every child has the right to go to school." Hanna Lynn gently stroked my head.
Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, my heart full of hope.
What will tomorrow be like? New clothes, a chance to go to school... it all feels like a dream.
"Good night, Mia." Hanna Lynn softly turned off the light.
"Good night, Ms. Lynn."
In the darkness, I hugged my blanket, unable to stop a small smile from rising at the corners of my mouth.
Maybe my life is really about to change.
Early the next morning, Hanna Lynn took me to the mall to buy clothes.
Sunlight streamed through the car window, warm and gentle.
I watched the streets outside, feeling a mix of nerves and quiet hope.
"Mia, what do you think of this pink skirt?" Hanna Lynn held up a skirt against me, gesturing softly.
I looked at the skirt—the pink fabric sprinkled with tiny white flowers, like a spring garden.
I glanced down at my worn-out clothes again, the cuffs frayed and faded. I whispered, "Can I wear this?"
"Of course you can. This is what I bought for you." Hanna Lynn smiled as she handed me the skirt.
"Really? Isn't it too expensive?" I felt a little worried.
"Silly child, as long as you like it, that's all that matters." She gently ruffled my hair.
After buying the clothes, Hanna Lynn took me to a stationery store and bought me a schoolbag, pencils, notebooks, and a pencil case with a little rabbit design.
"These are all yours. You'll need them for school." She helped me pack my things into my new backpack.
I nodded, feeling like something inside me was suddenly filled.
At the new school, I stood by the classroom door, wearing a new skirt and carrying my new backpack.
All the classmates stared at me; I felt shy and kept my head down as I walked into the classroom.
"Look at her, she must be a beggar!" a tall boy suddenly shouted, pointing at me.
The classmates around laughed, their laughter stabbing at my heart like needles.
I clenched my fists tightly, too afraid to look up.
"That's nonsense!" I heard a girl's voice say, "She's dressed very nicely!"
I looked up and saw a girl with a ponytail glaring at the tall boy.
The teacher told me to sit in the last row, right next to that girl.
"Hello, my name is Windy Young." She smiled and reached out her hand.
"I... my name is Mia Scott." I shyly shook her hand.
After school that afternoon, the tall boy and a few others blocked my way.
"Beggar, take off your new skirt and give it to me!" He reached out, trying to snatch my skirt.
I took a step back and suddenly noticed a trash can nearby.
I bit my lip and lifted the trash can.
"Don't come any closer! Or I'll dump this trash on you!" I shouted.
The tall boy hesitated for a moment but still tried to step forward.
I grabbed the mop beside me again, holding it tightly in my hand.
"I really will hit you!" I glared at him.
He was probably scared by how I looked, cursed once, then ran off with his group.
I watched their backs and finally let out a breath, but tears kept falling down my cheeks.
"Are you okay?" Windy Young ran over and handed me a tissue.
"It's okay... Thank you for standing up for me just now."
"We're friends, of course we have to help each other." She said with a smile.
Back home, Hanna Lynn saw that my eyes were red and asked worriedly, "Mia, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?"
I shook my head, not wanting her to worry, but Hanna Lynn could tell. She gently wiped away my tears: "No matter what happens, you can always tell Mom."
I nodded, feeling a warm glow inside.
That night, I lay in bed, thinking about everything that happened during the day.
Even though I was bullied, it was the first time I stood up for myself.
Maybe I'm no longer that 'silly girl' who gets picked on.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the cracks in the curtains and filled the room.
I opened my eyes and thought about yesterday; I still felt a little scared.
At school, right after the first class, the teacher called me to the office.
"Mia Scott, did you get into a fight with a classmate yesterday?" The teacher frowned and asked.
I kept my head down and told the story of what happened yesterday.
"Teacher, they were the ones who bullied Mia first!" Windy Young suddenly came in and spoke up for me.
The teacher glanced at her. "I'm asking Mia Scott, not you."
"But I'm telling the truth!" Windy Young said, clearly upset.
The teacher sighed. "Come with me; I'm going to call your parents."
My heart clenched, worried that Hanna Lynn would blame me.
Hanna Lynn arrived quickly; she walked into the office and looked at me first, her eyes full of concern.
"Mia, are you okay?" She asked.
I shook my head and whispered, "I'm fine. They bullied me first."
Hanna Lynn gently touched my head, then turned to the teacher.
"Teacher, I want to know if what my Mia said is true. Did those classmates really bully her first?" Hanna Lynn's tone was calm but firm.
The teacher nodded, "It's true those classmates started it, but Mia also used the trash can and mop, which was very dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Hanna Lynn raised her voice, "Just because my Mia was bullied, should she have to endure it silently? She was only protecting herself. What's wrong with that?"
The teacher was left speechless by Hanna Lynn's questions.
"Ms. Lynn, we understand how you feel, but the school has its rules..."
"The rules are meant to protect students, not to allow victims to be wronged." Hanna Lynn cut the teacher off.
The office fell silent.
Hanna Lynn held my hand and said to the teacher, "If something like this happens again, I hope you'll first find out what's really going on, rather than just blaming my child."
As we walked out of the office, Hanna Lynn pulled me into a hug.
"Mia, you did the right thing. If anyone bullies you again, you have to tell me. I will protect you." She spoke softly.
I leaned into her arms and nodded, feeling a warm glow inside me.
That day after school, Hanna Lynn came to pick me up.
On the way home, she bought my favorite candied hawthorn skewers.
"Mia, do you know? Mom was bullied by her classmates when she was little too." Hanna Lynn said suddenly.
I looked at her in surprise.
"Back then, I was very timid and kept it all inside. Later, your grandpa told me that sometimes being brave doesn't mean not being afraid, but protecting yourself even when you are."
I nodded and held the candied hawthorn skewer up to Hanna Lynn's lips. "Mom, have one."
Hanna Lynn smiled and took a bite. "It's really sweet," she said.
When I got home, Mario Scott was already back.
He saw me and asked, "How was school today?"
I thought for a moment and said, "Someone bullied me, but I stood up for myself."
Mario Scott nodded. "Good job. Remember, don't start trouble, but don't be afraid of it either."
That night, lying in bed, I kept thinking about what Hanna Lynn and Mario Scott had said.
Even though there were unfriendly people at school, I wasn't alone anymore.
I had someone to protect me, and that gave me a deep sense of comfort.
Day by day passed, and I gradually got used to life at my new school.
Although sometimes people still laughed at me, I learned not to lower my head and stay silent but to look them straight in the eyes.
That morning, the sun was shining brightly, and we were having PE class on the playground.
Suddenly, two strangers walked onto the campus, heading straight toward me.
Before I could even react, the woman grabbed my arm tightly. "Stupid girl! What are you doing here? Come with us now!"
It was her — my old mother. Her hands were rough, and her grip hurt me badly.
"Let go of me!" I yanked her hand away with all my strength and stepped back a few paces.
"Don't touch me! I don't know you!" I yelled, my voice louder than I thought it would be.
The man walked over too, a greedy grin spreading across his face. "Silly girl, we're your mom and dad. Didn't you forget? We're short on money now — why don't you have your current parents give us some?"
The other students gathered around, whispering, "What's going on here?""Are they really Mia Scott's parents?"
I looked at them and shouted, "They're not my parents! My parents gave me up long ago!"
Just then, Mario Scott and Hanna Lynn ran over.
Hanna Lynn stood in front of me, shielding me, and said to those two, "What do you think you're doing? Stay away from my child!"
Mario Scott frowned, his eyes cold: "If you bother Mia again, I'll call the police."
Seeing Mario Scott and Hanna Lynn, the two suddenly lost their swagger.
The woman tried to say something, but the man tugged her arm and whispered, "Let's go for now. We'll find another way later."
They shot me a vicious glare one last time, then turned and left.
Hanna Lynn turned around and gently touched my face. "Mia, don't be afraid. Mommy and Daddy are here."
I looked at them, tears starting to fall again, and nodded firmly.
That afternoon, I barely focused in class.
My mind kept replaying the scene from moments ago—Hanna Lynn and Mario Scott standing like two solid walls, blocking everything in front of me.
On the way home from school, Hanna Lynn held my hand tightly. "Mia, you don't need to worry. Mommy and Daddy won't let them bother you anymore."
I nodded, silently vowing to grow stronger and not make Mommy and Daddy worry about me anymore.
When I got home, Mario Scott had already prepared dinner.
At the table, he suddenly said, "Mia, tomorrow I'm taking you to the hospital for a check-up."
I looked at him, confused.
"It's just a routine check-up; it won't take long." He gently stroked my head, his tone softer than usual.
I nodded. Though I didn't know what the check-up was for, I trusted him.
That night, lying in bed, I thought about everything that had happened during the day.
Even though those people scared me, just knowing Hanna Lynn and Mario Scott were by my side calmed my heart.
Maybe this is what home feels like.
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