The rain had finally tapered off, but the oppressive atmosphere lingered in the Kyoto household as Polaris prepared for the family meeting. She stood in the living room, her heart racing with anticipation and dread.“Polaris, do you mind making a pot of tea while we wait for the boys?” Mr. Kyoto asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes. “I find it helps lighten the mood.”“Sure,” she replied, forcing a smile as she moved into the kitchen. The aroma of freshly baked cookies mingled with the scent of polished wood, but the warmth of the room felt hollow to her.As she filled the kettle with water, her thoughts wandered to the three grandsons. The prospect of facing their simmering resentment weighed heavily on her. They had shown little interest in family gatherings, and tonight promised to be no different.A sudden buzz in her pocket interrupted her thoughts. It was a message from her friend: How’s it going? Can’t wait to hear about the chaos later!Polaris sighed, replying quickly, Probably
The rain continued to patter against the windows as Polaris lingered on the porch, watching the droplets race down the glass. She could still hear the echoes of the boys’ dismissive comments reverberating in her mind. As much as she wanted to shake off the disappointment, it clung to her like the humidity in the air.Inside, Mr. Kyoto sat in the living room, staring at the photo album with a mix of nostalgia and sorrow. Polaris could see his shoulders slumped, the weight of his family’s dysfunction pressing down on him. She knew he had hoped for a different outcome tonight—a moment of connection, perhaps even healing.Taking a deep breath, she stepped back inside, closing the door behind her. “I’m sorry, Mr. Kyoto,” she said gently, trying to find the right words. “I thought maybe they would open up a little.”He looked up, his eyes glistening with unspilled tears. “You did everything you could, Polaris. The boys have their own struggles, and sometimes they don’t know how to express w
The days that followed the family dinner felt strangely heavy, like a lingering cloud that refused to dissipate. Polaris tried to maintain a sense of normalcy in the house, but the tension among the boys simmered just beneath the surface. Every glance, every muted conversation felt laden with unspoken words and emotions they were all too afraid to address.It was Wednesday afternoon when Polaris found herself in the kitchen, preparing a batch of cookies to lift her spirits. The warm scent of vanilla and chocolate wafted through the air, momentarily masking the heaviness that had settled in the household. As she stirred the batter, she heard the familiar sound of footsteps and turned to find William leaning against the doorframe.“What are you baking?” he asked, his tone casual, though his eyes held a hint of curiosity.“Chocolate chip cookies,” Polaris replied, trying to keep her voice light. “Want to help?”William shrugged, crossing his arms. “I guess. I’m not the best baker, though
The morning sun streamed through the window as Polaris sat at the kitchen table, nervously tapping her fingers against the surface. The chatter of the boys filled the house, but the warmth of their previous night felt like a distant memory. Today marked her first day back at school, and the thought of facing her classmates—especially William—set her nerves on edge.Polaris had always admired William’s easygoing nature and infectious laughter. Yet, there was something about his friendliness that made her uncomfortable. Perhaps it was the way he seemed to breeze through life, unburdened by the weight that had settled on her shoulders since the family tragedy. Or maybe it was the way his playful teasing often felt like a jarring reminder of her own struggles.As she finished her breakfast, Daryl strolled into the kitchen, yawning and rubbing his eyes. “Ready for your big day?” he asked, leaning against the counter.“Yeah, I guess,” she replied, trying to sound upbeat despite her apprehen
The school day wore on, a blur of classes and conversations that felt both familiar and foreign. Polaris had navigated her way through the hallways, exchanging polite smiles with her classmates while feeling the weight of her own thoughts. The chatter around her was lively, but she felt distant, like she was watching a movie unfold without being a part of it.As the final bell rang, Polaris took a deep breath and stepped into the bustling hallway. She spotted William leaning against a row of lockers, casually chatting with a couple of other boys. His friendly demeanor made her stomach flutter nervously. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to join them or to slip away unnoticed.“Hey, Polaris!” William called out, waving her over with an inviting smile. The other boys turned their attention to her, curiosity lighting up their faces.“Hi,” she replied, forcing a smile as she approached, her heart racing.“Have you decided about the game on Friday?” William asked, his enthu
The next day at school, Polaris felt a mix of excitement and anxiety as she walked through the crowded hallways. The memory of her conversation with William lingered, a small spark of hope igniting within her. Yet, as she rounded a corner, that hope flickered when she noticed a group of boys leaning against the lockers, their laughter carrying a menacing undertone.“Look who it is, the art nerd,” one of them sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. Polaris recognized them as some of the delinquents in school, notorious for their rough behavior and disdain for anyone they deemed different.“Why don’t you paint us a picture, Jo?” another taunted, using a name that felt foreign to her.“Yeah, how about one of your pathetic little dreams?” a third chimed in, his smirk widening as he stepped closer.Polaris felt her heart race, panic bubbling in her chest. She wanted to turn and run, to escape the hostile environment closing in around her. Just as she thought they might close in on her, a
Two days had passed since Daryl had stepped in to protect Polaris, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a fragile sense of normalcy. Her classes went smoothly, and even the whispers of her classmates seemed less harsh. The nickname “Jo” had started to stick, bringing with it an unexpected camaraderie, especially with Daryl’s antics lightening her mood.But that fragile peace shattered when the office attendant called her name over the intercom during lunch. “Polaris Lane, please report to the guidance office immediately.”Panic washed over her. What could they want? As she made her way to the office, her mind raced with possibilities. Had someone complained about her? Was it about the incident with the boys? She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.Entering the guidance office, she was met by the stern gaze of Mr. Richards, the school counselor. He gestured for her to sit as the air in the room grew thick with tension.“Polaris, we have some serious matters to
Polaris parked herself at her usual table in the library, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and scattered notes. The air was thick with the smell of old pages and a touch of anxiety that clung to her like a second skin. She tried to dive into her study materials, but Sebastian’s face kept flashing in her mind, that smug smile making her stomach twist.“Ugh, why do I let him bother me so much?” she whispered to herself, tapping her pencil against the table. It was supposed to be a quiet place to focus, yet every time she turned a page, all she could think about was his mocking tone.After a frustrating half hour, she slammed her textbook shut. It wasn’t working. The stress of the day hung over her, heavy and suffocating. She took a few deep breaths, trying to clear her head. The plan to report Sebastian to Mr. Kyoto had formed in her mind during lunch. It wasn’t just about getting back at him; it was about standing up for herself and making sure he knew that his actions had consequence
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