I sigh as I shut the doors behind me.With a lingering sense of the charged moment upstairs, I manage to steady my breath and emotions before venturing downstairs. The warm aroma of dinner wafts through the air, mingling with the faint light of the sunset filtering through the gleaming windows of the living room. The pack house feels familiar yet strangely distant, as if every corner holds fragments of a life that's both known and elusive.And I guess that pretty much sums up my whole experience here.As I reach the dining area, Mila is already there, sitting at the table with a thoughtful expression, tapping away on her phone. She glances up, her eyes meeting mine, and a small, knowing smile tugs at her lips. It's that kind of unspoken connection we've seemed to develop in such a short time, just before this chaotic storm of forgotten memories."You're awake," she says softly, pocketing back her phone, and I nod as I take a seat across from her.The table is adorned with a feast that
In the quiet of the evening, as the house settles into a serene hush, I find myself standing before William’s door, heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and nerves. With a soft exhale, I knock gently again and wait, the weight of my thoughts heavy in the stillness.When an answer doesn’t come, I try the knob.The door creaks open, revealing the space beyond, dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. He stands there, a black shirt balled up in his hands. The sight is both familiar and intimate, his back muscles flexing as he returns the shirt into a drawer.He begins to unbutton the shirt he’s wearing, movements slow and deliberate, as if lost in thought. Unbeknownst to him, I step back, retreating into the shadows. An involuntary blush warms my cheeks as my gaze lingers, a mixture of curiosity and vulnerability mingling within me.It’s not like I’ve never seen him shirtless, but still…He turns slightly, catching a flicker of movement, and freezes. Caught in the act, I
Standing at the airport, a blend of excitement and nervousness swirls within us. Or at the very least, within me. The journey ahead was marked by more than just miles; it was a step towards rediscovery, a leap of faith into a world that had once been familiar.We say our goodbyes to Luke and Mila.The flight to Deveras is smooth, despite my minor anxiety about flying. William spends most of the plane ride absorbed into reading a book on the psychology of perception, and sparing me curious glances. The city's skyline gradually comes into view as we descended. From above, Deveras is a tapestry of color and life, its streets winding like veins through the heart of the landscape. Tall buildings stand as testaments to progress, their glass facades reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling display.God, I miss home.As we disembark from the plane, the air carries the promise of familiarity, a reminder that I am stepping into a world that had once been home. A place that is still home. The airpo
The night drapes its velvety embrace over the world, the moonlight filtering through the window, casting a soft glow across the room. As we lay side by side in the cozy bed, a sense of peace settles around us—a respite from the chaos and intensity that often define our lives.I shift slightly, my head finding its place on William's chest. His heartbeat, steady and strong, serves as a comforting rhythm against which I nestle.I’m determined to not make this awkward.And apparently, so is he because he wraps an arm around me, his touch gentle yet possessive, as if he wants to hold onto this moment just as tightly as I do. The sensation of his fingers tracing soothing patterns along my arm sends a shiver of contentment down my spine."Comfortable?" he murmurs, his voice a soft whisper that resonates within me.I smile against his chest, my breath mingling with the fabric of his shirt. "Very."“Mmm.” His fingers continue their gentle exploration, his touch a balm that soothes the worries
“Have fun on your honeymoon.”I glare up at my sister Wilma who’s perched up on my dresser, swinging her legs and watching me double check to make sure I have everything I need for the five day trip. “It’s not a honeymoon.” I reply defensively, zipping up my luggage and pulling it upright.William is already out of the house. I can see him through my window, conversing with the driver waiting to take us to the airport.“Two lovebirds traveling together to spend time on an expensive resort?” Wilma taps her chin in mock thoughtfulness. “Sounds like a honeymoon to me”I sigh defeatedly. “Shut up Wilma.”She grins, sliding off the dresser and holding on to my luggage, intending to help me get it downstairs.I drag her into a brief hug. “Be good. Both here and in school.”She replies with a small laugh that tells me she’s definitely not going to be heeding my words. As I release Wilma from the hug, I take one final glance around the room, making sure everything is in order.After heartfelt
I gradually stir from my peaceful slumber, the room cast in a gentle twilight as the sun dips below the horizon.I yawn.How long have I been asleep?As I stretch and sit up, I notice a beautifully arranged plate of dinner on the nearby table and a goofy smile overtakes my face. William must’ve kept it there for me. I glance around the bedroom and the living room for the second time, looking for him, but I don’t spot him anywhere.Where did he go?My stomach rumbles in response to the inviting aroma of the garlic butter stake and potato skillet, and I find myself savoring the delicious flavors as I sit at the edge of the bed with the tray and devour the food.Sated and content, I decide to take advantage of the cool evening air and to also look for William. I change out of my t-shirt and jeans into sleeping shorts and a bralette, despite the cool weather. The sliding glass door leads me to the terrace, where the world is adorned with the soft glow of moonlight. My gaze is drawn to the
We spend the rest of the night and the following day simply talking and exploring. William asks a lot of questions about our time in Acadia Academy, and I try my hardest to answer him to the best of my ability, although none of my answers end up triggering his memory.Soon, the night of the ball arrives.Preparing for the ball is a whirlwind of anticipation and excitement. The vibrant energy that courses through me is infectious as I carefully choose my attire for the evening; my makeup already done and my hair painstakingly pinned up into an updo. The dress, a delicate masterpiece of flowing midnight blue silk, shimmers with an iridescent glow in the soft light of our suite. Its off-shoulder neckline adds a touch of elegance, and the intricate lacework along the bodice and hem hints at the craftsmanship that went into its creation. With every twirl in front of the mirror, I feel like a character from a fairytale.I don’t even remember when I bought the dress.The air is electric as I
Leaving the chaotic ballroom behind, we retreat to the quiet safety of our room. The tension of the night still lingers between us, though now it's wrapped in a cocoon of slight awkwardness.William doesn’t say anything, still steaming with remnants of his anger, and neither do I, as we enter the bedroom and he shrugs off his jacket. I notice a few specs of blood staining the front part of his white shirt.“You shouldn’t have done that.” I sigh, retrieving a first aid kit from a nearby drawer, sitting him down at the edge of the bed and gently begin tending to the cut on William's lip, my touch both soothing and reproachful.He winces at the disinfectant that touches the small split flesh where the silver rings had made impact."Oh, now you can feel pain?" I chide softly, dabbing the wound with an antiseptic swab. "Stop being such a baby. I know you were defending me, but there are better ways you could’ve handled the situation."Like poisoning the bastard.Or gutting him in a dark al