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.
Celeste“I’ve thought about it, and... I want to be your girlfriend,” I blurted out, immediately regretting the decision.I couldn’t believe myself. Every fiber of logic, every sensible voice in my head had warned against it. Yet, in the midst of the adrenaline and the rush of the night, I found myself uttering words I hadn’t planned on saying.
Celeste“Celeste! What the hell? You can’t just play around with Matt’s heart now that you’re official!”“Shh!” I hissed. “Not so loud!”Fiona let out a sigh. “Sorry,” she whispered. Looking around, she spotted a bench off to the side in one of