The Sound Of Your Heart

THIRTY-FOUR

JESSICA

As I lay in bed, my mind raced with thoughts of the events that had transpired that day at school. The memory of Tyler's confession still lingered in my head, like a bad taste in my mouth. I couldn't believe how I had reacted—making a scene and causing such a commotion without even considering the potential consequences for others. And now, as I scrolled through the school's website and saw the countless comments and messages condemning Tyler's actions, I felt a deep sense of guilt and regret.
 
How could I have been so thoughtless? How could I not have seen the harm that my words and actions could cause? I knew that Tyler was struggling, and yet I had added to his pain and humiliation without any regard for his feelings.
 
As I lay there, unable to shake off these negative emotions, I realized that I needed to make things right. I needed to apologize to Tyler and do whatever it took to repair our friendship. It wouldn't be easy, but I knew it was necessary if I wanted to move forward and heal from this experience.

I disheveled my hair out of frustration and quickly got up from the bed before grabbing my phone. Maybe, just maybe, there would be something on social media that could distract me from my misery. But as soon as I opened my phone, I was hit with yet another reminder of all that I was missing out on.

A wedding anniversary celebration invitation message from my Dad's sister, Aunty Olivia, popped up on my screen. She and her husband will be celebrating their 25th anniversary today, and they wanted me to join them for dinner and drinks.

I groaned inwardly, feeling like the universe was taunting me with images of happy couples and successful families. Why couldn't I have a love life like theirs? Why couldn't I find someone who truly understood me, someone who would stand by my side through thick and thin?

But then, as I looked closer at the invitation, something caught my eye. It wasn't just any ordinary party - it was a masquerade ball. And not just any masquerade ball, but one themed around fairy tales and mythology. Suddenly, I felt a spark of excitement ignite within me. Maybe this was exactly what I needed - a chance to escape reality and immerse myself in a world of magic and wonder.

Without hesitation, I RSVP'd to the invitation, determined to put aside my sorrows and embrace the enchantment of the evening. After all, as the old saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." And tonight, I was going to make some damn fine lemonade.

I sighed as I turned my gaze out of the window. The morning sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the landscape. It was a beautiful sight, one that many would appreciate on any other day. But today, it only served as a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.
 
As I stood by the window, lost in thought, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The events from that day still lingered in my mind, refusing to be forgotten. The memory of Miles' and Tyler's angry voices, the sound of his yell, and the feeling of tears streaming down my face all threatened to consume me.
 
I had always been mean to everybody, and that day I made a mistake—a big one. And now I have to face the consequences. My stomach churned at the thought of what lay ahead.
 
The school was never going to be the same again. My classmates and cheerleading squad would whisper behind my back, their eyes filled with judgment. My teachers would look at me differently, their expressions a mixture of disappointment and disgust.
 
But most of all, I knew that my mother would be proud because this is what she wants and this is how she raised me. She had always expected so much from me, and I had never let her down. And I hated that, and I hated her for that. The thought of facing her was almost too much for me to bear.
 
I rolled my eyes and quickly made my way out of my room, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere that seemed to cling to me like a damp blanket. As I walked down the stairs, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.
 
Just as I was reaching the bottom of the stairs, I heard my mother's voice, muffled but unmistakable. She was talking to someone, her words low and urgent. I froze, my heart racing as I strained to listen. Who could she be talking to? And why were they speaking in such hushed tones?
 
My curiosity getting the better of me, I tiptoed down the remaining steps, trying not to creak the wooden floorboards. I positioned myself behind the door frame, peeking around the corner to catch a glimpse of whoever my mother was talking to. That was when I saw her pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace, her hands wringing together nervously as she listened to... whatever it was that she was listening to.
 
As I watched, transfixed, my mother suddenly stopped pacing and looked up, her eyes locking onto something or someone across the room. My heart skipped a beat as I followed her gaze, my mind racing with possibilities. What was going on here? Was there someone else in the house? And why did my mother look so scared?