Celeste “Of course. Let’s chat later and make a plan.” Matt’s response came within minutes after I sent it. I felt my heart swell with an almost sickening combination of anticipation and dread; while it was incredibly exciting to see Matt again, there was always the looming dark cloud of the lies I had been threading throughout our short-lived relationship.
Celeste The day began as uneventful, a routine blur of classes and conversations with friends. But then, as I walked out of my history class, my heart stopped when I saw Sabrina waiting outside the door.“Oh, Celeste,” she called, her sing-song voice dripping with false sweetness. “I have a little errand for you to run. Come by my dorm after class, would you?”
Matt “Dude, you don’t get it,” Jack said. “Celeste should know better. But to hell with it; if she wants to scrub floors, she can do that. I won’t be giving her money anymore.”Without another word, Jack walked into the living room and sank down on the couch. I watched in horror as he casually picked up his video game controller and began to play. Following him, I stood in front of the TV, my arms folded tightly across my chest.
Celeste The hollow echo of my sobs filled the otherwise silent room. The dim light of the moon filtering through the curtains did little to illuminate the dark, bleak space that reflected the turmoil in my heart. I'd barely managed to wipe away the tears when I heard the familiar, almost sinister creak of my bedroom door opening.“You’ve been acting out of character.” Jack’s voice was cold, filled with suspicion. “What's going on with you, Celes
CelesteMatt’s nod was almost imperceptible. “I couldn’t stand seeing you treated that way. I just wanted to help.”A complex mix of gratitude and fear gripped me. What if she told him about ‘Rose’? What if that was why he hadn’t responded to my texts?“Matt, she’s… she’s dangerous. You shouldn’t have—”He shrugged, brushing away some dirt from his shirt, no indication of knowing about ‘Rose’ on his face. “It was worth a shot.”There was an undeniable bravery in his actions, something I wished I had in me. “Thank you,” I whispered, the weight of those words bearing so much more than just gratitude.He gave me a half-smile, that dimpled charm of his shining through the worry. “Stay safe, Celeste.”“Thanks, Matt,” I said.Matt turned to leave. But then, suddenly, he turned back to look at me, running a hand through his dark hair. “Hey, there’s a hockey game tonight,” he said. “You should come. Maybe it’ll help you relax.”My eyes widened in surprise. Was Matt inviting me to one of his h
Celeste The crowd was roaring, a cacophony of cheers and jeers that made the entire arena vibrate with energy. I watched with bated breath as Matt’s team battled fiercely against their opponents. Every time the puck danced dangerously close to their net, I felt a pang of anxiety tighten in my chest. The scoreboard glared with 2-2, and there were only a couple minutes left. The pressure was palpable, every person in the stands waiting for that tiebreaker. I heard Fiona muttering a string of curses every time the other team threatened to take the lead. “I think they might lose,” I murmured, watching as the other team managed to wrestle the puck from one of Matt’s teammates. “Don’t jinx it,” Fiona whispered back, gripping my arm tightly. Suddenly, there was a turnover in the rink. The opposing team’s main player was breaking away with the puck, sprinting towards Matt’s team’s goal with blazing speed. But just when it seemed he was in the clear, Matt appeared seemingly out o
Celeste The cool weight of the mask settled in my hands, and the mirror inside the bathroom reflected a young woman struggling with her identity. Fiona’s words still rang in my ears. Was I really becoming too attached to my ‘Rose’ persona? Was I using it as a crutch instead of facing the real world with its judgments and challenges?
Celeste The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver sheen over the athletic fields. The grass seemed to shimmer in response, every blade reflecting the gentle glow of the night.Matt and I halted in our tracks, both captivated by the serenity of the moment.The moon, our only companion, was slowly inch