a Hard

d through the floorboards. Kamryn stayed in his room that night, their hushed whispers and occas

hree. Each tick of the clock was a step closer to freedom, and a lifetime further from him. M

emoved every trace of Holden from my existence, both physical and digital. My room, once a chaotic explosion of fabric and sketches

rances. Their happiness, broadcast for the world to see, was a constant, searing reminder of my own quiet devastation. Our paths had diverg

imed, a welcome int

ly, the hot water a temporary reprieve from the cold ache inside. As I dressed, I caught a glimpse of my reflect

goodbye to this suffocating town. I debated skipping it, but a stubborn

y friends, familiar faces in an unfamiliar landscape, greeted me with hugs and excited

my oldest friend, cheer

up. "To new beginnings," I ech

nto a dull warmth in my stomach. I wanted to feel something other th

seemed louder, the laughter more genuine. A dizzying lightness took hold.

led to Sarah, stepping aw

of the party. I walked aimlessly, letting the breeze caress my

ld

d thrown back in laughter. He looked effortlessly charming, charismatic, the center of atte

to avert my gaze, to turn away, to dissolve into the shadows. But my fe

girls, their heads close together, giggled. "Hold

haze of alcohol instantly dissolvi

trying to get him to talk to Chelsea, and he just snapped. Said he couldn't handle

olish and dangerous, ignited in my chest, a desperate, dying ember. But then, the

knew his voice. The dismi

of love. Because he was tired of my perceived "drama." Because he was

ronger this time. The alcohol, the

hrough the haze. He never loved me. He only loved c

g me. He'd been possessive. He hadn't been encouraging my dreams. He'd b

s simply shedd

al. Unforgiving. And

to steady myself. My head sw

anded on my arm. A firm grip. I fro

ld

th something I couldn't quite decipher. Concern? Pity?

of a tenderness from years ago, sent a shiver down my spine. My body reacted bef

to say so many things. I'm leaving.

hrough the air, shattering the fragile

mr

face. She rushed towards Holden, throwing her arms around his neck, pressing a kis

readable emotion, now focused solely on Kamryn, softening. He gave her a tender s

en quickly reappearing, brighter than before. "Oh, Chelsea. Are you alri

oudly enough for me to hear, "She al

with warmth. He picked Kamryn up effortlessly, an easy, intimate

n me, a smug, victorious glint in their depths. They walked off, his arm sti

e. My head was clear now, the alcohol's haze completely gone, replaced b

u crying?" Sarah's voice, laced wi

e, hot and silent. I quickly wiped them away, forcing a shaky s

furrowed. "And I just saw Holden leave with Kamry

ce flat. "But then he ch

ays so good to you, always looking out for you." She squeezed my arm. "I remember when he

Inseparable. The past, idealized and distorted

ce devoid of emotion. "People chang

ful look on her face. "It's a sham

. An illusion.

a profound weariness settlin

feeling like a farewell to a part of myself. As I stepped out, the r

car, parked just down the street. Kamryn, her hea

sea! Where have you been? We've been waiting for you. Get

ng my jacket tighter agai

snapped. "It's pouring.

embarrassed. You know how she gets. Don't worry, Chelsea, we don't mind. We're used

amily drive. The old dynamic, reass

was done. That I was leaving. Tha

then at Kamryn, then back at Holden. His face

ened the back door and slid in, the cold, wet f

ng through puddles. Kamryn, in the fr

ched over, taking a blanket from the back seat and draping it over Kamryn's sh

. Tucking me in, covering me with a blanket when I fell asleep on the c

e back. The rain ran down the windows, mirroring the tears

eniable proof. He would nev

I had to let go. And