Shattered Asylum

Chapter 61

I jolt awake, my heart pounding as a loud bang echoes through the stillness. I lie frozen in the dark, listening intently for any sound that might follow. Footsteps. Then suddenly, two girls screaming in the living room.

My pulse races, each beat reverberating in my chest like a drum. "What are you doing awake? It's four in the morning," an Australian accent breaks through the tension, and I exhale sharply, relief flooding my body.

Kristina.

"I've been awake, waiting for Grayson to get home," Leslie's voice responds, and my ears perk up.

He left? When?

"How's Aven taking it?" Ethan asks softly.

"Not good," Leslie admits. "She cried herself to sleep. I feel so bad for her. Grayson isn't making it any easier, he's been so distracted. Don't tell her he left, either; it'll only make things worse."

The words land like a kick to the gut. My chest tightens as a sharp pang of hurt shoots through me.

Why did he leave? Where did he go?

"It's for her own good," Stefan interjects, his tone resolute. "If keeping her in the dark will keep her safe, then that's exactly what we're going to do."

Each word cuts deeper, filling me with an overwhelming mix of anger and confusion. Why wouldn't they just tell me the truth? What are they hiding from me? Shouldn't I know so I can be prepared? Tears well up, stinging my eyes as betrayal coils tight in my chest.

"I'll take her out later today," Kristina suggests, her voice tinged with forced cheer. "Try to distract her a little bit."

"That's a great idea," Leslie agrees. "You guys can go on a double date. That way, Grayson can keep an eye on her."

I roll onto my side, clutching my pillow as my mind races, the voices outside fading into background nose.

The hurt is too much to bear, the realization that everyone is in on this, that I'm the only one left in the dark, is suffocating.

Silent tears stream down my face, each one carrying my frustration, confusion, and growing sense of isolation.

Why does it feel like everyone is deciding my life for me? Why does it feel like I'm not even a part of my own story?

The secrets, the lies, and the constant feeling of being out of control press down on me, threatening to crush me. I squeeze my eyes shut, will sleep to take me back.

Maybe when I wake up, I'll be back in my bed, with the comforting smell of Grandma's cooking wafting through the air. Maybe I'll wake up and find this was all just a bad dream.

But deep down, I know better.

~

I've been lying in bed all day, pretending to sleep whenever someone comes in. I don't want to talk to anyone, especially not them. Not when I know they're all lying to me.

I can't trust them.

I don't even know if Grayson's back. I tell myself I don't care, but deep down, I know that's just the anger talking.

My phone has been my only distraction, though it's doing more harm than good. I've been scrolling through an endless stream of hate comments about me.

Who knew being happy could make so many people mad? Most of the comments are from preteens who never had a shot with him anyway.

I keep scrolling until a familiar face appears on my screen, Layla, sitting on her bed, her eyes rimmed with fake tears.

"I'm finally going to address the rumors about me and Xavier," She sniffles, dabbing at her dry cheeks with exaggerated drama.