Letters From Dahlia

1 - Unwanted Beginnings 07/25/23

"Hey, I'm feeling pretty lost right now. My mother passed away just two weeks ago, and everything has been incredibly tough. I'm moving across the country and starting at a new school in the middle of high school. It's hard to believe that I'll be living with Ethan, especially since he suddenly stopped talking to me back in 8th grade without any explanation. I'm not sure what to expect - maybe we'll become friends again or perhaps it'll just be awkward (most likely). Honestly, I'm feeling lonely and could really use some support, especially at my new school, I hope things will work out somehow. I don't want to be a loner at my new school, and I could really use another friend right now. Pray for me, please. I wish I was joking but I might actually really need it. Anyway, how has your day been going? Hopefully better than mine, haha. 

Love, 

Dahlia"

"You can go ahead and put all your things right here so the boys can bring them upstairs." As Laura speaks, she gives me a small, reassuring smile while gently rubbing my back. Her touch is warm and comforting, but I can't help feeling a pang of sadness as I take in the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Thanks" I say, giving her a small smile. Looking around, I see a small picture of Laura and my mom on the mantle, a reminder of the bond they shared. I take a deep breath, trying to push away my nerves. I was safe here, especially if my mom trusted her enough for her to take care of me, right?

"Your mom and I have known each other since high school. She was really a wonderful woman, and I know she would want me to take care of you." Laura's eyes soften as she speaks, her voice filled with genuine care. I give her another small smile. I knew she meant it, but it just sounded like how people in the movies say it. My whole life feels like a movie right now. Mom just died, dad just so happens to not be around, and I'm living with my former best friend; it's all just too much for me.

"I know everything must feel overwhelming right now. You've been through so much in such a short period. It's only natural to feel lost and unsure about everything." She speaks. It's almost like she can read my mind.  She studies my face for a moment before continuing. "But remember, you're not alone. We're here for you, and we want to make sure you have everything you need." Her voice is gentle, trying to soothe my worries.

"Thanks" I say quietly again. "Um, do you mind if I go check out my room?" I say it hesitantly, looking down.

"Of course not, dear. Go ahead and see your room. I'll get Ethan to take your stuff up." She says, nodding as she gives me an encouraging smile, sensing my hesitation. "Take all the time you need. Just remember, you're home now, and this room is yours." My heart drops as I hear his name. Not only have I not spoken to him, but I haven't seen him since he moved after 7th grade. We talked over the summer, but as school started back up, I don't know what happened. I take a deep breath and head up the stairs, feeling an overwhelming sense of nervousness. As I reach the top, I can hear Ethan's voice coming from one of the rooms down the hall, making my heart race even faster.

"Can it wait? I'm with my friends" I hear him yell after Laura asks him to take my stuff upstairs.

"Ethan, it won't take long! I just need you to bring Dahlia's things upstairs." Her tone is firm yet patient, urging him to prioritize this task. Meanwhile, I linger awkwardly in the hallway, listening to their conversation. Ethan's voice sets my heart racing, and I'm not sure what to expect when I see him again. I hear him groan, "Whatever." As I hear Ethan's groaning response, I can't help but feel a mixture of disappointment and anxiety. It's clear that he's not thrilled about having to help me, and it only makes me more nervous about seeing him again. I stay frozen in place, waiting anxiously for him to emerge from his room.

"Hey" I say quietly as I see him leave his room. Ethan looks up as I greet him, and I notice a flash of surprise on his face before he composes himself. He closes the door behind him, cutting off the curious gazes of his friends who were trying to get a glimpse of me. He takes a moment to study me silently, and I can't quite decipher the expression on his face. I give him a small smile as I play with my fingers nervously. Ethan returns the smile weakly, and I can tell he's not exactly thrilled to see me again.

He runs his hand through his hair before speaking, his voice nonchalant. "Looks like you need help with your stuff?"

"Yeah, just the heavy stuff, I guess" I say, laughing awkwardly but stop quickly as I realize he just had a blank face. Ethan doesn't laugh or respond to my attempt at humor. Instead, his face remains expressionless as we both stand there awkwardly.

After a moment, he finally speaks again in a flat voice. "Which bags are yours?"

"Those" I say, pointing to my navy-blue bags that sat on the floor. Ethan grunts in acknowledgment and starts gathering my bags, lugging them into his arms with relative ease.

"Anything else?" He asks impatiently.

"Um, no, thanks." I say, giving one more small smile, hoping to get something out of him. Ethan doesn't respond to my smile. Instead, he grunts noncommittally and begins to make his way up the stairs with my bags. His cold demeanor only serves to make me feel more uncomfortable, and it's clear that he's not interested in engaging in conversation.

I follow behind him slowly, feeling disheartened by his coldness. It's hard not to feel a bit of sadness as I recall our former friendship and how things have changed so drastically. As we make our way up the stairs, Laura is waiting at the top, watching us curiously. Laura looks at us as we approach, her eyes flickering between Ethan and me. She takes in Ethan's indifferent expression and notices the tension between us. She doesn't say anything, but I can tell she notices the tension between us.

"Mhm" Ethan says quietly in response, avoiding eye contact. He doesn't say anything else before turning and heading back down the hallway, leaving me alone in the room. Laura watches him go before turning to me, her expression sympathetic. Laura walks into the room, sensing my disappointment at Ethan's coldness. She places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry about that, Dahlia. He can be a little closed-off sometimes. He'll come around." Her voice is soft, trying to reassure me.

"It's fine, I understand it's been almost 3 years now and I'm randomly moving in your house" I mumble. Laura's forehead creases with concern as she listens to my words. She gently pats my shoulder before speaking again.

"It's not about your moving, dear. Ethan has been through some tough times, and it's caused him to put up walls. He cares, but he has a hard time showing it." Laura's voice is filled with genuine sympathy as she tries to explain Ethan's behavior. I give her a small smile trying to hide the fact that I know the real reason Ethan has been so distant. Laura returns the smile, sensing my attempt to hide my true feelings.

She gently squeezes my shoulder before continuing. "Ethan might seem tough on the outside, but he's a good kid. Just give him some time, okay?" I nod, giving a small mhm as she begins to walk out the door. Laura gives me one last smile before shutting the door behind her, leaving me alone in my new room. I take a deep breath and look around the unfamiliar space, feeling a mixture of emotions. Part of me is excited to start a new chapter in my life, which is what my mom would want me to be, but another part of me is saddened by Ethan's coldness and the fact that our friendship has faded away.

I sit on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall. The silence in the room is deafening, only occasionally broken by the faint sound of voices coming from downstairs. As I sit there, lost in my thoughts, I can't help but feel a pang of loneliness. It's not just the absence of my mother that weighs heavily on me; it's the fact that I have truly lost my best friend, too. Just a few years ago, Ethan and I were inseparable, but now, it feels like we're strangers...

"It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." - Alfred Lord Tennyson

I plan on hopefully releasing chapters every Friday hopefully so stay tuned for more but overall I hope you guys enjoy this first part if you have any criticism or find any typos or grammatical mistakes please please please do not be afraid to point them out it honestly helps me so much and I want to be able to reach my full potential as a writer so really anything helps, anyway thank you so much for reading I appreciate you so much ♡