W I L L I A M“So, you really don’t know her? Polaris, was it?” Devin leaned back against his locker, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. The group had gathered in their usual spot after class, the familiar sound of bustling students filling the hallway. William could feel the stares of his friends as they waited for his response, but his mind was elsewhere—on the memories of the night before and his father’s cutting words.“She’s a bit of a loner, isn’t she?” Another voice chimed in. It was Jake this time, always the one to fan the flames of gossip. “I mean, she’s not really… y’know, our type of crowd.” He emphasized the last words, as if it was a badge of honor to stay within their social circle.William remained silent, his gaze fixed on his phone as he scrolled through messages that didn’t really interest him. He didn’t want to engage in this conversation, but ignoring them would only make things worse. His friends were always like this—fishing for drama, making jokes at
The cool night air felt like a reprieve as William made his way through the forested path, the distant sounds of the charity event slowly fading behind him. His footsteps crunched softly against the fallen leaves, and the faint glimmer of the moonlight reflected off the still surface of the lake up ahead. This place—his sanctuary—was the one part of his life where the weight of expectations couldn’t reach him.Here, under the wide-open sky, the world felt quiet, uncomplicated. The lake shimmered in the darkness, its glass-like surface untouched by the chaos of the event. The trees surrounding the water stood tall, their silhouettes casting long shadows that danced under the faint glow of the stars. This spot had always been a source of peace for him, a refuge from the pressures that came with being William .He could still remember the first time he’d stumbled upon this place. It had been during one of his father’s many business gatherings, years ago, when he had wandered off, despera
Polaris sat at the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the phone in her hands. Her thumb hovered over the last message from the hospital, the one that had flipped her world upside down. Her grandmother’s condition had worsened. The woman who raised her, who was more of a mother than anything else, was fighting for her life, and there was nothing Polaris could do about it. She was hundreds of miles away, stuck at school with no way to reach her.Her fingers clenched around the phone as she recalled the conversation. The doctor’s calm, clinical tone rang in her ears:“We’ve done everything we can, but her body isn’t responding as well as we’d hoped. You should prepare yourself for the worst.”Polaris had barely gotten out a reply before hanging up, the weight of that simple, detached sentence crushing her. And now, hours later, she was still numb. She hadn’t cried, hadn’t let herself feel anything, because it would make it real.The events of the day felt like a blur now. She had wander
As William sat there, ice cream in hand, he couldn’t shake the feeling of relief that washed over him. Talking to Polaris felt so refreshing, like stepping out of a suffocating room into the cool night air. The complexity of his life—the expectations, the pressures, the constant scrutiny—felt distant in her presence. Here was someone who didn’t know the intricate web of his family dynamics, someone who couldn’t judge him based on who he was or what he had accomplished. It made sharing his thoughts feel safer somehow.“What about you?” he asked, tilting his head slightly. “What do you want to do after all this?”Polaris paused, her expression shifting as she contemplated her response. “Honestly? I want to do something meaningful,” she replied slowly. “I’ve always wanted to help kids, maybe in a more permanent way than just visiting an orphanage. But it feels like every time I get close, something holds me back.”“What holds you back?” he inquired, genuinely interested.She sighed, look
No one dared to talk about it when the four guys were around. In the hushed corridors of the school, a palpable tension lingered, an unspoken agreement among students to avert their gazes and keep their mouths shut. Polaris had learned early on that these boys commanded attention with a casual cruelty that left no room for dissent. Their laughter echoed like a taunt, a reminder that in this world, she was an outsider, a target in their game of dominance.At first, the teasing was subtle—soft whispers and fleeting smirks shared among friends, but it quickly escalated. They would follow her in the hallways, their footsteps echoing ominously behind her. “Look at her, the little ghost,” one would sneer, their words sharp enough to cut through the noise of bustling students. Polaris learned to walk with her head down, hoping to disappear into the shadows, to become invisible, but the boys had other plans.Weeks passed, and each day felt heavier than the last. It was as if the weight of the
The late afternoon sun filtered through the school’s windows, casting warm glows across the bustling hallways. Laughter and chatter filled the air as students packed up their belongings and prepared to head home. Among them were William, Hero, Sebastian, and Daryl, who lingered by the lockers, exchanging jokes and planning their weekend.“Did you hear about that girl, Polaris?” Sebastian casually asked, leaning against the locker with a smirk. “Apparently, she got herself into some hot water. Heard she was almost… you know, assaulted.”The casualness of Sebastian’s tone grated on William’s nerves. He had been trying to push thoughts of Polaris from his mind since their last conversation, but hearing her name again made the guilt stir within him. “What do you mean? What happened?” he demanded, his voice sharper than intended.Hero raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “You didn’t hear? Apparently, some guys from the junior class were trying to get her to go to a party, but it turned
“Hey, are you ready for a fun day?” Sebastian asked, his voice bright and hopeful as he leaned against his car, waiting for Polaris to step outside. “I found this great café with amazing pastries! We could go grab a bite and then hit the arcade. What do you say?”Polaris looked up at him, the corners of her lips lifting slightly, but the weight in her chest made it hard to fully embrace his enthusiasm. “Sure, that sounds nice,” she replied, stepping into the warmth of his presence.As they drove, Sebastian filled the air with stories of their friends and laughter, and for a while, Polaris felt the tension ease. They arrived at the café, its cozy atmosphere inviting them in. They settled into a small booth, surrounded by the comforting aroma of coffee and freshly baked goods.“See? This is exactly what you needed!” Sebastian grinned, handing her a flaky croissant. “I mean, you’ve been through so much lately. It’s nice to just get away for a bit, right?”Polaris nodded, grateful for his
Sebastian paced back and forth outside the café, worry tightening his chest. He glanced at his phone, waiting for the others to respond. “What if something happened to her?” he murmured to himself.His phone buzzed. It was Hero. “Sebastian, what’s going on? Where did Polaris go?”“She just left. I brought up the whole mistress rumor, and it upset her,” Sebastian replied, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know where she went.”“She wouldn’t just run off. We need to find her,” Hero insisted. “Let’s meet up and figure this out.”Within moments, Daryl’s voice chimed in. “What’s the plan, guys? We can’t just sit around.”“I’m thinking we should split up,” William suggested, his tone steady despite the tension. “Sebastian, where do you think she might go?”“The old house,” Sebastian answered without hesitation. “She always found comfort there when things got tough.”“Good idea,” Hero said. “I’ll check the park. It’s one of her favorite spots to think.”Daryl nodded, his voice firm.
The morning light seeped through the blinds, casting long, muted shadows across Polaris’s apartment. The soft hum of the city outside, the far-off sounds of traffic and conversation, filtered in through the cracks, but inside, there was nothing but stillness. She hadn’t moved from her bed yet. Her body felt like it was cemented into the sheets, her limbs heavy, and her mind was miles away, lost in thoughts she couldn’t shake.She thought of Sebastian.And that thought sent an immediate tension through her chest. She hadn’t wanted to think about him, not really, but his face, his voice, his words—they lingered, stubborn and impossible to ignore.It was confusing. Because while she didn’t want to feel anything for him, she couldn’t deny the small, unspoken connection that lingered between them, one that was impossible to ignore. Or maybe she just didn’t want to face the truth—that part of her was still drawn to him.But no. She couldn’t. She shouldn’t.Polaris shifted, sitting up and dr
Polaris stared at the phone in her hand, the lingering sound of Sebastian’s voice echoing in her ear. He’d apologized for not being able to introduce her to his family. “I’m sorry, Polaris,” he’d said, his voice warm yet distant. “I just… I wasn’t ready.”She hadn’t wanted to ask why, though she knew. She could feel it in her bones: he was pulling away. But she couldn’t bring herself to admit it, not even to herself.“It’s okay,” she had said, though the words felt hollow. They were a lie, and they tasted bitter on her tongue. “It’s fine. I understand.”But as soon as she said it, she knew it wasn’t. It wasn’t fine. It never would be.She didn’t give him a chance to say more. “I have to go,” she had added quickly, her voice tight. Without waiting for his response, she hung up.The sharp click of the phone disconnecting echoed in the empty room. She stood there for a moment, the silence pressing in, before shaking herself from the stupor of her thoughts.She needed to get out. She need
Polaris was bent over a stack of fabric samples, her hands flipping through the various textures, when a quiet sob reached her ears. At first, she dismissed it, thinking it was just the wind playing tricks. But then it came again, sharper this time, followed by the soft shuffling of footsteps.She looked up, expecting to see a colleague, but instead, she saw a young girl standing by the fabric shelf. The girl was no more than seven or eight, her tear-streaked face twisted in confusion and fear. She wore a bright pink jacket, the sleeves slightly too long, dragging on the floor as she shuffled awkwardly on her tiny feet.Polaris’s first instinct was to approach, but she hesitated. She hadn’t been around children much since… well, since a long time ago. But the girl’s sobs grew louder, and Polaris found herself stepping closer, her hands instinctively smoothing over the fabric, trying to calm her own nerves before speaking.“Hey, are you okay?” Polaris asked softly, crouching down to th
The evening wore on, the city lights casting long shadows across the rooftop as the crowd mingled around the bar. Polaris had barely touched her wine, her mind still locked on the unexpected appearance of Sebastian. She had thought of him over the years, of course, but only in fleeting moments, like passing clouds. Seeing him here, in this city, in this moment—it stirred something deep inside her. Something she wasn’t quite ready to face.But she wasn’t about to let old memories dictate her life again. Not now. Not when she was so close to securing her future, to carving out a new identity for herself. So, after a few moments of silent contemplation, she straightened her posture and decided to push through.She glanced back toward the entrance, and this time, her eyes locked with Sebastian’s. He wasn’t looking her way, but when he turned toward the door, their gazes met. He didn’t hesitate; he walked toward her with that same calm, collected stride she remembered so well.“Polaris,” h
Polaris walked into the meeting room, carrying her tablet with the project sketches displayed. The room was sleek and modern, with large windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The client, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, sat at the conference table, flanked by his assistant and a couple of other colleagues. Polaris set the tablet down, taking a deep breath before addressing the room.“Good morning, everyone,” she began, her voice steady but confident. “I’m Polaris. I’ll be walking you through our initial concepts for the new office complex project.”The client nodded, his arms folded across his chest, a slight air of expectation about him. Polaris flipped the tablet screen to the first design.“As per your brief, you’re looking for a space that not only meets your functional needs but also offers an innovative, modern design that stands out in this area. This building will serve as both a hub for your employees and a showcase of your company’s values—creativity, sustainab
The soft murmur of voices filled the air as Polaris stood by the entrance of the grand hall, adjusting the strap of her purse. The event was a swirl of lights, laughter, and chatter, a celebration of some local achievement, but to her, it felt like nothing more than a distraction. She wasn’t sure why she had come, but the invitation had arrived, and the idea of getting caught up in the whirlwind of it all seemed oddly tempting. She didn’t know what she was expecting, but she hadn’t expected this.As she glanced around the room, her eyes caught a familiar face across the crowd, a flash of dark hair and a strong, steady presence. It was him—Sebastian.Her breath hitched in her chest as the crowd parted, and he moved in her direction, his usual confident stride making its way toward her like a magnet. Time seemed to slow, the noise of the event fading into the background as memories rushed back—memories of their late-night conversations, their shared laughter, and the moments that had on
Polaris stretched her legs under the table, her fingers idly flipping through the project details displayed on her laptop screen. It was nearing dusk, the city lights starting to flicker to life outside her window, casting a warm glow into the room. She sipped her coffee, half-listening to the sounds of traffic outside, until her gaze fell upon the project location listed at the top of the document.Her hometown.She sat back, heart skipping a beat as she stared at the familiar name, the memories rushing in before she could push them away. She hadn’t been back since she’d left for good, vowing to carve out her own path far from everything familiar. And yet, here it was, pulling her back when she least expected it.The project itself was a career-defining opportunity—a collaboration that combined creativity and community, everything she valued in her work. It was the kind of project she would have leapt at… if it hadn’t been for the location. She let out a slow breath, scanning through
“Did you make it back safe, Polaris? Please tell me you at least took a cab this time,” Camille’s voice buzzed through Polaris’s phone, her concern palpable even across the line.Polaris let out a soft laugh, easing into the familiar warmth of her friend’s worry. “Yes, Camille, I’m home safe and sound,” she assured, dropping her keys on the small, rickety table by the door. “Took a cab, and everything.”“Good! You know I’ll show up on your doorstep if I find out you’re wandering around Paris at this hour alone,” Camille teased, though Polaris knew she meant it.A smile played on Polaris’s lips as she kicked off her shoes, feeling a comfort she rarely allowed herself. “You know I wouldn’t mind that. It’s only been two days, and I already miss our weekly coffee talks.” Her voice softened, the exhaustion from the long journey finally setting in.“Me too, P. It’s way too quiet without you around to shake things up,” Camille sighed. “But I’m glad you’re back and settling in. You really sou
The city skyline stretched across the darkening sky, a mixture of fading amber and deep violet, casting long shadows over the buildings. Polaris stood on the balcony of her apartment, the cool evening air tugging at her hair as she gripped the railing. It had been seven years since she left, seven years since she had said goodbye to the life she once knew, to the people who had helped her become who she was today—and to the ones who had nearly broken her.She thought she had buried the past, but standing here now, she could feel its weight returning, like old wounds reopening beneath a thin layer of scar tissue. Tomorrow, she would see them again—Sebastian, Hero, Daryl, and even Anne, each one holding pieces of a history they all had shared, but which time had distorted, fractured, and remade.The letter from the company had arrived two months ago. “We’re assigning you to a major project in your hometown,” it read, as if her past were simply a location on a map, waiting patiently for