shadows of the past • D.KALOGERAS

Chapter One: Breaking Free

The soft hum of morning filtered through Y/N's bedroom window, casting delicate patterns on the faded wallpaper. She sat cross-legged on her bed, a book open in her lap, though her eyes lingered on the untouched pages. Outside, the world was waking up, but inside, Y/N felt stuck in a perpetual twilight.

Her mother's voice called from downstairs, pulling her from her thoughts. "Y/N, breakfast is ready!"

"I'm coming," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. She closed the book and placed it on the nightstand, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. The girl staring back looked like a ghost of who she once was—pale, tired eyes with dark circles beneath them, and a fragility that seemed to permeate her entire being.

She ran a brush through her hair, trying to tame the tangles, and took a deep breath. Today was another day of trying to piece herself back together. It had been a month since she left him, a month since she had finally broken free from the toxic grip of a relationship that had suffocated her for far too long.

The kitchen was filled with the comforting aroma of pancakes. Her mother, a woman with kind eyes and a worried smile, looked up as Y/N entered. "Good morning, sweetie. How did you sleep?"

"Okay," Y/N lied. The nightmares had been relentless, but she didn't want to worry her mother any more than she already had. She took a seat at the small kitchen table, staring at the plate of pancakes before her.

"You know, Matt called," her mother said, trying to sound casual. "He wants to come over this afternoon. I thought it might be nice for you two to spend some time together."

Y/N nodded, grateful for her mother's gentle encouragement. Matt was her only friend, the one person who had stood by her side through everything. But even with Matt, it was hard to let her guard down completely.

The day passed slowly. Y/N tried to read, but her mind kept drifting back to memories she wished she could erase. She could still hear his voice, feel the sting of his words, and the weight of his anger. She shivered, hugging herself as if that could keep the ghosts at bay.

When the doorbell rang, Y/N felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. She made her way to the door and opened it to find Matt standing there, his usual bright smile in place. "Hey, Y/N! Ready for some hangout time?"

Y/N managed a small smile. "Yeah, come in."

They settled in Y/N's room, the familiar space offering a semblance of comfort. Matt chattered about school, the latest gossip, and a movie he had watched, filling the silence with his lively presence. Y/N listened, grateful for the distraction.

"So," Matt said after a while, his tone softening, "how have you been holding up?"

Y/N looked down at her hands, picking at a loose thread on her sweater. "I'm... trying. Some days are better than others."

Matt reached out, his hand covering Y/N's in a gesture of solidarity. "I'm here for you, you know that, right? You don't have to go through this alone."

"I know," Y/N whispered, tears threatening to spill. She blinked them away, not wanting to break down again. She had cried enough, felt enough pain. Now, she just wanted to feel normal again.

"Hey," Matt said gently, "I was thinking, maybe we could start going to the park after school. Fresh air, some sunshine. It might help."

Y/N nodded, the idea appealing despite the fear that still lurked in the corners of her mind. "I'd like that."

They spent the rest of the afternoon together, talking about anything and everything except the past. For a few hours, Y/N felt almost like herself again, laughing at Matt's jokes and sharing stories. When Matt finally left, promising to text her later, Y/N felt a small spark of hope flicker inside her.