Tongue Tied [H.S]

019

Luna Afia

Quiet.

I've always loved the quiet.

There's something about silence that is so peaceful to me.

No loud noises blaring in my ear, causing migraines.

No yelling.

No fighting.

Just... quiet.

I know It's normal for people to enjoy silence. It isn't unusual to like it. I just haven't had a lot of it recently. So, when I get the chance to sit in silence, I really admire it. I can sit and write in my journal, read a book, or literally just lay there and enjoy my own company.

People ask me what I'm writing all the time. I've never really told anyone. It's just little things I like to keep to myself... and I'm okay with that. Maybe one day I'll come out and tell people. But today isn't one of those days.

I open my tired eyes and look up at my ceiling. Rolling over to grab the glass of water on my bedside table. I notice I'm in my childhood bedroom. I look around, confused.

"what the fuck?" I whisper to myself.

I slowly place my legs over the edge of my bed, letting my feet hit the floor, before standing up and making my way over to my wardrobe.

I've always loved this room. The walls are painted purple. My favourite colour. There are posters sprawled all across my wall, as well as little drawings my mother and I drew together. God, I miss her.

I go to walk over to my bedroom door but before I know it, it's being opened from the other side.

A feminine figure is walking towards me, my room is dark so all I can see of them is their silhouette.

"good morning pumpkin" I hear the familiar voice say to me in such a gentle way.

"mum?" I ask, feeling my heartbeat rapidly in my chest.

"oh, sorry love, I'll turn the light on" she responds, before turning around to flick the light switch on next to my bedroom door.

I stand there in awe. Not believing what I'm seeing. My mum died when I was 11... this has to be a dream.

"is it really you?" I whisper, with my shaky voice.

"it sure is... everything okay?" she replies, crouching down to place either one of her hands on the sides of my face.

I throw my arms around her neck, hugging her tighter than I've ever hugged anyone in my entire life. "I've missed you so much".

"I know pumpkin. I've missed you more" she replies with her arms wrapped around my back.

I release my grip and place my hands on her shoulders, "what's happening? Why are you here"

She gives me a warm smile and guides me to sit on the edge of my bed, "well, I heard that a few things have happened to you, and this is where your mind took you to help calm you down. I thought I'd pop in"

"I don't know what happened. The last thing I remember is reaching down for my phone and everything went black. Do you know anything?"

"well..." she begins, placing her hand on my leg "I know that you are strong. And you can do anything you put your mind to" she says, giving me a look.

"I don't know what to do mum... I'm so tired, why can't I stay here with you?"

"because pumpkin. You are a fighter. And you need to fight. Fight for Stella, and your dad, and that cute boy that you like to tell yourself you don't have feelings for, but we both know that you do"