My Past, My Present || Kaylee Lee x VCHA

Chapter 1: The Beginning

As Kaylee walked to Kwon High School, the sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the streets. It was a beautiful morning, but it didn't seem to make her feel any better. She felt a sadness deep inside her today, even though she had good friends, went to a nice school, and was doing well for a 16-year-old. She didn't understand why she felt this way, why happiness seemed so far away.

"Kay!" a cheerful voice called out as soon as she stepped onto the school grounds. It was Kiera, running over with open arms, ready for their morning hug.

Kaylee took a deep breath and prepared herself. She opened her arms just in time to catch Kiera, who practically jumped on her, hugging her tightly.

"Kiera!" Kaylee said, trying to smile. She wasn't usually one for hugs, and lately, she felt even more distant.

"How are you, my sweet, sweet apple slice?" Kiera asked in her usual playful way.

"Apple slice?" Kaylee thought, a small grin tugging at her lips. Kiera always had some new nickname for her. "I'm okay, Kiera," she replied, her voice sounding a bit flat. "How about you?"

Kiera's eyes sparkled with concern, but she kept her smile. "I'm great! Let's get to class before we're late."

Kaylee nodded and walked beside Kiera, her mind wandering. They met up with Camila, Lexi, Kendall, and Savanna on the way to their first class. The group chatted happily, their laughter filling the air. But Kaylee found it hard to join in. She felt like she was watching them through a fog, there but not really part of the conversation.

Inside the classroom, they all took their usual seats together. The room was buzzing with the chatter of other students getting ready for the day. Kaylee pulled out her notebook and pen, trying to focus on the lesson ahead. But her mind was clouded with a feeling of sadness she couldn't shake.

As the teacher started the lesson, Kaylee tried to concentrate, taking notes without really thinking. She couldn't let herself get lost in her thoughts, not when she had so much ahead of her. She had her friends, her school, and a future she wanted to make good. But the sadness weighed on her like a heavy blanket, making everything seem harder.

During the class, Camila leaned over and whispered, "Kaylee, are you okay? You seem a bit down today."

Kaylee glanced at her friend and gave a quick nod. "I'm fine, just tired," she replied, trying to sound convincing. But Camila's eyes were full of worry.

When the bell rang for lunch, Kiera grabbed Kaylee's hand, pulling her toward the cafeteria. "Come on, let's get something to eat. I heard they're serving your favorite today!"

Kaylee managed a small smile. "Sure, let's go." She appreciated Kiera's excitement, even if she didn't feel it herself.

In the cafeteria, they joined the rest of their friends at their usual table. Camila, Lexi, Kendall, and Savanna were already there, chatting and laughing.

"Hey, Kaylee! Over here!" called Camila, waving.

Kaylee sat down, trying to join in the conversation. The laughter and fun talk around the table felt distant to her, but she didn't want to make her friends feel bad.

"So, what do you think of the new movie that's coming out?" Lexi asked, trying to include Kaylee in the discussion.

Kaylee shrugged slightly. "I haven't really thought about it," she said, her voice lacking enthusiasm.

Her friends exchanged worried looks, but didn't push her. They knew she had her off days and were careful not to pry too much.

After lunch, they headed to their next class together. Camila gently nudged Kaylee. "If you ever want to talk, you know we're here for you, right?"

Kaylee nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and reluctance. "Thanks, Camila," she said quietly. She knew her friends cared, but she wasn't ready to share her feelings with them. Not yet.

By the end of the day, Kaylee felt even more weighed down by her thoughts. She knew her friends were worried, but she wasn't ready to share her feelings with them. She needed to sort through her emotions on her own, even if it made her seem distant and cold.

As she walked home, Kaylee thought about how lucky she was to have such supportive friends. She hoped that one day, she'd feel strong enough to let them in on her struggles. For now, she just needed to find her own way through the darkness.

When Kaylee got home, the house was quiet. Her mom was still at work, so Kaylee was alone. She dropped her backpack by the door and went to the kitchen to make herself a snack. As she spread peanut butter on a slice of bread, she felt a wave of loneliness wash over her. The emptiness of the house seemed to match the emptiness she felt inside.

Kaylee took her snack to her room and sat on her bed, looking out the window. The sky was turning shades of pink and orange as the sun began to set. She watched the colors change, feeling a sense of calm but also a deep sadness. She wished she could talk to someone about how she felt, but she didn't know where to start.

Later that evening, Kaylee decided to go for a walk around her neighborhood. The fresh air felt nice, and the quiet streets gave her time to think. She looked at the houses with their lights on, imagining the families inside. Sometimes, she wished she could be part of a big, happy family, where everyone cared about each other and there was always someone to talk to.

As she walked, she saw a small park and decided to sit on a bench. She watched the kids playing and the parents talking, feeling a pang of longing. She wished she could feel that kind of happiness. But for now, she was just trying to get through each day, hoping that someday, things would get better.

When she got home, her mom was still not back. Kaylee made herself a simple dinner and ate it alone at the kitchen table. The emptiness of the house matched the emptiness she felt inside. After dinner, she went to her room and stared at the ceiling, wondering how to fill the void she felt.

Kaylee knew she had to keep going, even when it was hard. She had her friends, and she didn't want to worry them with her sadness. So she put on a brave face, hoping that one day, the sadness would go away and she'd feel truly happy again. For now, she would keep trying, one day at a time, holding on to the hope that things would get better.