(connor's pov)
tw- wounds
I HATE THAT I ALWAYS LOOK MY BEST WHEN I'M DYING ON THE INSIDE.
It's been my best-kept secret for a while now that my real self couldn't be any more different than what the public thinks I am. Or even what my classmates think...
The truth is, no one ever sees it but it's all around.
_____
1 hour earlier
"C'mon, boys, it's been the whole semester and no one's beaten Archeron's time yet!"
My skates scratched against the ice as I came to a stop, dizzy and exhausted. I could hear my teammates muttering things under their breath as they approached me.
I heard their claims everywhere. Show-off, pick me, entitled because I'd already achieved a career.
I would give up all that in a second to be like them. To the outsiders, fame is sweet, like a dream you're living in. But in reality, it's bittersweet.
Having fans around the world loving the life you've made for yourself could never cover up the fact that no one loved the boy I was inside. Or they just didn't believe he existed.
The coach blew his whistle, and I let my legs collapse under me as everyone gathered around.
"Great effort this year, and I hope to see you all again next year!"
I stood up slowly as my teammates filed past me into the changing rooms, taking my time to arrive there myself.
I was mostly changed when people began to leave, muttering about going to breakfast. I thought about joining them, but I decided it wasn't worth the risk. I didn't want to get hurt worse than I already was.
My best friend, Kaden, turned towards me in the doorway. "You okay, Connor? Want me to save you a seat?"
"Yeah....I'm okay. Don't worry about it," I said.
Sometimes I wished I could tell him everything.... but no one could know.
After he left, I pulled off my neck guard, exposing my neck. A mosaic of black and purple bruises covered it, and I knew there were dozens more on my limbs and torso.
Every time they healed, the day would come again and they would reappear. I was expected to be better each time. I could never be good enough. But how was I to be good enough when the same person who thought that, kept doing this to me?
The longer this had been happening, the harder it got to hide.
And now it was about to be revealed to everyone.
____
I lowered my hood, revealing my injuries to my classmates' wide eyes. Would everyone believe me if I told them it was an accident?
My eyes met my teacher's, who was trying to conceal a horrified expression. "Connor, what happened?"
"Nothing. I fell down. I'm sorry."
I'm sorry it wasn't me who disappeared, who endured the pain, who was brave enough to run before this could start,
Thoughts of my past were interrupted by my teacher's reply. "All right. Please be more careful."
Had it been anyone else, this wouldn't have been let go. But it wasn't just me who was scared.
Everyone who knew was scared. They didn't dare defy someone so important and powerful.
That's why I was trapped. I was born to die.
vic's note !!
well here's a bit more insight on connor's past... sorry it's darker than the original, but i hope you enjoyed and remember to vote and tell me your thoughts <3
YOU ARE READING
❝ 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 ❞// original book
Jugendliteratur❝ i was enchanted to meet you ❞Angel Firelily has had a passion for music since childhood. She's played multiple instruments and wrote songs for years, hoping to become a songwriter someday. But she never expected her dreams to come true. At fifteen...
