My Past

Chapter 61

Amelia's Pov

It's been two long, grueling months since that life-changing incident. Two months since I lost my brother, my family's shining star. Two months since my parents and I have been drowning in sorrow, unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Two months since I have been feeling nothing but guilt and regret. What could I have done differently to prevent the tragedy that befell us all?

"If only I would have been more careful. If only I wouldn't have trusted anyone. It would have been much better." I can't help but blame myself, replaying the past over and over in my head. I was so foolish to convince my parents to let me study there. I thought it would be an adventure, a new beginning. Little did I know it would lead to the end of my world as I knew it.

"You have to stop blaming yourself, Amelia," Liam's gentle voice brings me out of my spiraling thoughts. 

I turn to face him and sigh, leaning back in the car. "I know, but how can I not? It's all my fault," I confess to him, my voice choking on my words. I am lost in my own grief, unable to find a way out.

Liam takes my hand in his, his warm fingers enveloping mine. "It's not your fault, Amelia. You did everything you could. Sometimes, life has a way of throwing curveballs at us that we can't control. We just have to learn to live with the pain and move forward," he tells me, trying to ease my burden.

But how can I move forward when I feel like a piece of me has been ripped away? How can I learn to live with this excruciating pain that seems to consume me?

Then, my dad's voice echoes in my head, his words bringing me back to reality. A few days ago, he confided in me about his own grief and loss when he was my age. He lost his best friend, someone who was like a brother to him. They grew up together, got into trouble together, and always had each other's back.

When his friend passed away at the young age of 20, my dad was devastated. He cried for days, didn't eat or sleep, and shut himself off from the world. 

But then my grandfather gave him the greatest gift - a truth that would stay with him for the rest of his life: "Death is the great equalizer. It comes to us all, but what we do with the time we have is what truly matters."

"Amelia," Liam's voice pulls me out of my reverie, and I turn to look at him again. 

"Whatever happened, it's all in the past now. Everyone we lost is at peace, and so are you. You're safe with me," he reassures me, his eyes filled with understanding and compassion.

I want to believe him, I really do. But the weight of my sorrow is heavy, and I don't know how to carry it. All I can do is hope that someday, somehow, I'll find a way to move forward, even if it's just one small step at a time.

Liam's words echo in my mind as I continue to stare blankly out of the car window. The sun is slowly setting, casting a warm glow across the sky. The colors are beautiful, but I can't appreciate them. Not now. Not when everything feels so dark.

"Amelia," Liam says, breaking the silence. "You're not alone, okay? We're all here for you."

I nod, tears streaming down my face. Liam pulls over and wraps his arms around me.

 I sob into his chest, letting out all the pain and grief that I've been holding in for so long. It feels good to finally release it, but the pain doesn't go away.

As I calm down, I wipe my tears and sit back up. I know that I can't keep living like this. I can't keep blaming myself for what happened. I need to start living again. But how? How can I move on when everything feels so broken?

Suddenly, a memory flashes in my mind. 

My brother and I used to go stargazing together. He would point out all the constellations and tell me their names. He always said that the stars were like little pieces of hope, scattered across the sky.

I look up at the sky and see the stars starting to twinkle. It's like they're calling out to me, reminding me that even in the darkest of nights, there is still light.

"Thank you, Liam," I whisper, feeling a glimmer of hope ignited within me. 

"Thank you for reminding me that I'm not alone."

Liam smiles softly at me and starts the car. As we drive away, I know that I still have a long way to go. Healing takes time, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like I have a chance. A chance to find hope again, even in the midst of my grief.

Author's Note

This is the end of 'My Past'. The epilogue will be uploaded tomorrow (May 11) on my birthday so do not forget about it. My long-ass author's Note will be uploaded tomorrow because Idk what to write. Anyway, thank you!

-Sugar