Forced Than Loved ★ Pablo Gavi

₂.₇

★☆★☆★

Different Feeling

★☆★☆★

The gentle hum of the car engine filled the quiet space as I sat in the backseat, my head resting lightly against the window. The scenery outside blurred past in streaks of green and beige, the familiar roads leading home. After what felt like an eternity in the hospital, I was finally leaving. The weight of the past days still lingered in my bones, but there was an undeniable relief in knowing I would sleep in my own bed tonight, It really has been a crazy month, some would laugh in my face if I told them all that had happened in the past week.

I shifted slightly, adjusting the soft blanket my mother had draped over my lap before we left. My father, ever the cautious driver, kept his hands steady on the wheel while my mother occasionally turned back to check on me, her worried eyes scanning my face for any signs of discomfort. I offered her a small smile, not wanting to add to her concern, the journey home of course was three, almost four hours long, but we had nowhere to stay other than my house which is now where Pablo stays.

That was the least of my worries right now, as Madrid was only a week away now. The thought alone sent a strange mix of excitement and anxiety coursing through me. A fresh start, a new opportunity, but also an unspoken goodbye to everything I was leaving behind, yes Madrid was still in Spain but living there for a year would maybe give me a fresh start after all that has happened and if all goes well this movie could really be my big break.

Actually Lilly had gone all out, renting a moving truck so massive that it could probably transport an entire house if needed. It wasn't just for her, though. It would carry all my things too. Five days. That's how long I had to get everything packed and ready. I sighed at the thought. I could walk now with the help of my crutches of course, but not too much, so I would definitely need help. Not that my mother would let me do much anyway, she refused to let me help with anything when leaving the hospital, I guess that's fair seeing as I still have some bandages around my arms, but that doesn't mean I am weak, still, I really appreciate her help as well as my dads.

The drive home stretched on longer than I remembered. Maybe it was because I hadn't been outside in days, or maybe it was the anticipation of returning to something so familiar yet feeling like a different person. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my sweater, an old habit resurfacing as I tried to quiet my thoughts.

Finally, after what felt like hours, we pulled into the driveway. The house stood before me, unchanged yet somehow feeling distant. My father cut the engine, and the sudden silence was deafening. He got out first, moving to open my door while my mother quickly rounded the car to help me. I stepped out gingerly, my body still adjusting to full movement. A small gust of wind hit my face, the crisp air a stark contrast to the sterile hospital atmosphere I had been trapped in. I grabbed my crutches and assured my parents that I would be able to make it to my room.

"Mi vida, please call me if you need anything," my mother said softly, her voice filled with that motherly warmth that made everything feel a little less heavy. "And rest, okay?"

I nodded, offering her a reassuring look before making my way inside. Every step felt like reacquainting myself with an old friend. The wooden floors creaked under my weight, the scent of home, cinnamon, and fresh linen, wrapped around me like a comforting embrace, I was just here like six days ago, but still everything felt so different, weird.

Reaching my room, I exhaled in relief. The sight of my bed, my pillows, my blankets, it was overwhelming in the best way possible. I immediately collapsed onto the mattress, feeling its familiar softness envelop me. It was warm, inviting, mine. You could say I was happy to be home even if I was leaving in a week, look it just felt weird hence why everything felt so old, like distant memories. Maybe these stupid cars messed with my head a little bit, but regardless I was home with my parents in Valencia, I couldn't ask for anything more to be honest.