Shadows Of The Past

Chapter 6: Searching for new bonds

As time went on, I found myself spending more and more time with my new friends-Jessica, Selie, and Luna. Our days were filled with shared interests and laughter, a stark contrast to the growing distance between Dyla and me. The once inseparable bond we had was slowly eroding, mostly because we couldn't keep in touch or visit each other regularly.

Dyla's mom was strict, enforcing a rigid schedule that left little room for anything other than studying. I grew tired of waiting and hoping for those rare moments when Dyla could sneak out and visit me. For two years, we'd clung to those fleeting visits like lifelines. When she did manage to come over, it was like a breath of fresh air. We'd catch up, laugh, and for a little while, everything felt normal again.

But one day, my mom inadvertently mentioned to Dyla's mom that Dyla had visited our house. "Dyla was here yesterday," my mom said casually.

Dyla's mom looked confused. "I didn't send her there," she replied, her voice tinged with suspicion.

After that incident, things got worse. Dyla's mom tightened her grip even more, restricting Dyla's movements and interactions. The sneaking out stopped, and so did our precious time together. We couldn't even talk on the phone without risking getting caught.

The more restricted Dyla became, the more distant our friendship grew. I felt like I was holding onto a fading dream, and eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. I was tired of waiting for something that might never happen. I told Dyla I didn't want to be best friends anymore, but she insisted. "You can't just say that," she argued, her voice filled with desperation. "It'll be one-sided if you do, and I'm not agreeing to it."

Her words were a plea, a desperate attempt to hold onto what we once had. Reluctantly, I agreed to keep the title of "best friends," but deep down, I knew it wasn't the same. The spark of our friendship had dimmed, and I no longer saw Dyla as my best friend.

With Dyla's absence in my life, I turned my attention to finding a new best friend. Jessica was a natural choice; we got along well, and she was kind and understanding. But when I learned that Selie was her best friend, I stepped back. I didn't want to come between them or disrupt their bond.

Determined, I started interacting more with the other girls in my class, hoping to find someone who shared my interests and could understand me. Each day, I talked to different girls, trying to find a connection. But it seemed like no one matched my vibe. We had polite conversations, but there was no real spark, no sense of shared excitement or understanding.

After a few weeks of searching, I grew disheartened. It felt like I was trying to force something that just wasn't there. I decided to stop looking for a while and instead focus on the friendships I already had. Jessica, Selie, and Luna were good friends, and even if I didn't have a new best friend, I was grateful for their companionship.

I started skipping school more often, attending only about four days a week. The school felt suffocating, and without Dyla as my best friend, I felt incredibly lonely. It seemed like there was no one in the world who truly understood me. My absence didn't seem to bother anyone much, or at least that's what I thought.

When I did go to school after a few days off, I began to notice subtle changes within our friend group. Taryn, Jessica, Selie, Luna, and I used to be a tight-knit circle, but something had shifted. During lunch, I'd see them huddled together, laughing and whispering about something. Whenever I asked what they were talking about, they would abruptly go silent and ignore the question.

At first, I tried to brush it off, thinking it was just me being paranoid. But as the days went by, it became more evident that they were excluding me. One day, I decided to ask them directly. "What were you guys talking about?" I asked during lunch, trying to sound casual.

Jessica started to respond, but Taryn quickly interrupted, "No, you can't tell her. I told you not to."

That stung. I could feel the growing distance between us, and it made me feel even more isolated. I tried to talk to each of them individually, hoping to get some answers. But every time someone was about to tell me, Taryn would swoop in and stop them.

It was clear that something was happening behind my back, and it was tearing me apart. The more they excluded me, the more I felt like I was back in that lonely place, an outcast among my own friends. I could sense a storm brewing, and I was terrified of what might come next.

The situation reached a breaking point one afternoon. I was in the classroom, trying to focus on my work, when I overheard Taryn whispering to Selie and Luna. They were giggling, and although I couldn't make out the words. My heart sank, and I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me.

I decided to confront Taryn. "Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Why are you excluding me?"

Taryn looked at me with a mix of surprise and annoyance. "You're overreacting, Zara. We're not excluding you. You're just imagining things."

But I knew I wasn't. The changes were real, and the sense of betrayal cut deep. I walked away, feeling more alone than ever, dreading what would happen next.

(To be continued)

(Stay tuned for updates on every Sunday 🌸)

(Make sure to vote and comment your thoughts 🪻🪻🪻)