y's

normal, but now I'm just learning that my very own

hat I'll never be able to forg

the silent room, jolti

ended the call with Phoebe;

ht with apprehension as I approached the door with a heav

as I meet the sight

with caution as I observed his every move

?" He stammered, strugglin

as I firmly shut the door, the click of the latch

ss, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I

ng any sleep tonight. I was still

tains, I found myself wide awake at 6 a.m.; my ba

dors of the pack house, the hushed morning magnifying

, reminders of the party were scattered everywhere, proof th

e my parity." I mutte

my departure went unnoticed by

back seat of the cab, my heart fluttering with a

anted nothing more than to leave this place as soon as poss

eneath it all, a glimmer of hope flicke

er as the air hostess' voice filled the

re in high school. I was certain she'd have becom

igure, paired with a denim jacket casually slung over her to complete her en

beauty and confidence, making me wish I c

rtunity never seeme

ed me in a sense of comfort and familiarity, almost bringing tears to my eyes. It had been

expect you to arrive so early." I expressed m

me pick you up, but he's been a bit hesitant. I didn't want to risk leaving you stranded at the airport, so I decide

one last night," she said, stepping back to study my face

e in the car. I noticed the sadness on her face as she loaded the bags into the trunk. I

drest and closed my eyes, trying to push aside the uncomfort

rant so you can eat before we go home," Phoebe sugge

food there." Phoebe chuckled as we left the airport p

udden change in mood but didn't say anything. I turned to the window, wondering if

o her side and feeling the tension between us. She stayed q

she swerved. After what felt like ages but was only three minutes of w

her a glare, feeling a mi

k, meeting my glare

are yo

I can't keep it in until then. I just didn't expect us to meet in this s

, and I could tell she was ho

self to reveal it. I knew she would break down, just lik

p them from trembling as they usua

heavy fog. I could feel Phoebe's gaze on me; her con

t her eyes; the weight of my own e

f how long we

ternity. I could sense the unspoken words lingering in

s would finally break the silence. A

one last night," she said, stepping back to study my face

ugh; I didn't think you wo

ence. There, I told her everything that had h

ale, Phoebe sat dumbstruck in one spot, to

ister, but she's got some nerves. How dare she?!" Phoebe finally let out

r customers, she didn't seem to min

" Her words dripped with venom, cutti

ek, a silent testament to

te is preposterous, if you ask me," she added,

recalling that I didn't know anybody outside th

of a new beginning," I confided, the weight of recent events settling heavily upon my shoulders. The realization

Phoebe's house, the familiarity of her presence offerin

ed," she announced wearily, her voice tinged with fatigue as she tenderly ran he

rting embrace. The glow of the television

echoed in the quiet space, offering a familiar

ter and conversation, lost in the simple joy of each other's company. Together, we had immersed ourselves in the famil

, the characters becoming my temporary companions in the quiet of the living room. Time

nds of movement and approaching footsteps. They stirred me from my quiet

int of amusement in my voice as I turned to address her. I half-expecte

g before me was the last person I expected to see at t

bare chest and the loosely wrapped towel around his wais

tried to understand what was happening. Phoebe not being there ma

't quite figure out. Silence filled the air between us, full of questio

otions swirling inside me. I didn't know w

k the heavy silence hanging in the air,

llow. I couldn't tell what sort of revelations lay ahead

roughly wet as water streamed down his face, dripping onto his bare chest. He ran his eyes over my

ediately, there was a dampness between