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
CelesteI sprinted the last few meters towards home, my chest heaving and my breaths short.Up ahead, the warm lights of home beckoned to me; but instead of being inviting, they felt like claws extending toward me. Jack was waiting inside, waiting to berate me for sneaking out. My trick hadn’t worked after all.
Celeste The next morning, the cold light of day accentuated the throbbing in my temples.My night had been restless, filled with tangled sheets and even more tangled thoughts. I had half a mind to bury myself under the blanket and shut out the world, but the jingling of my phone snapped me back to reality.
Celeste Sneaking out was becoming a treacherous endeavor, but the meeting with Matt was paramount.Jack had always had this uncanny knack for knowing when I had tried to bend the rules or escape from the house’s suffocating grip. This time, I needed a full-proof plan, and my meeting with Matt was encroaching. I had to figure something out, and quickly.
CelesteThe night had been calm, the serenity of the forest only disrupted by the chirping of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves. But the sound that echoed through the trees was something else entirely—a growl, raw and guttural, the sound of a creature lurking in the dark.“Why do you want me to run?” I whispered to Matt, my voice shaking, the trepidation evident in my tone.