Revealing silences

Deceptive Appearance

The bell rings once again at Brookfield High School, marking the beginning of a day of classes. The students poured into the corridors like a river, each pursuing their own path, each carrying their own secrets. Among them, Emma, Liam, Sophia, and Aiden continued to navigate the restless sea of their thoughts, hiding their inner struggles behind well-honed smiles.

Emma woke up with difficulty, her eyelids heavy with fatigue despite a whole night's sleep. Every morning was a battle to get out of bed, and today was no exception. She sat on the edge of the mattress, staring at the white wall of her bedroom. The very idea of getting up and facing a new day seemed insurmountable. She finally forced herself to get up, dragging her feet to the bathroom. Looking at herself in the mirror, she saw darkened eyes and a pale complexion. She applied a little makeup to hide the visible signs of her depression, but nothing could really hide the sadness in her eyes. After getting dressed, she walked slowly down the stairs, each step echoing like a reminder of her invisible burden.

Her mother, busy preparing breakfast, gave her a concerned look. "Hello, darling, did you sleep well?" she asked with a sweetness tinged with concern. Emma nodded, avoiding her mother's gaze. "Yes, Mom." She took an apple and quickly went out, not having the strength to engage in conversation. The journey to school was made in a heavy silence. She stopped for a while at the park on the way, watching the other teenagers laughing and chatting happily. She felt an insurmountable distance between her and them, as if she were observing life through a thick pane of glass. At school, she went straight to her locker, avoiding interactions as much as possible.

Her best friend, Lily, was already waiting for her, a radiant smile on her face. "Emma!" she exclaimed, giving her a hug. "I missed you so much this summer! How are you?" Emma smiled faintly, sending back an image of herself much different from what she felt inside. "It's okay, how about you?" Lily began to tell her about her summer adventures, but Emma struggled to concentrate. She nodded and pretended to listen, while fighting against the dark thoughts that invaded her. She didn't want to worry Lily or seem weak. So she wore her mask, hoping that no one would see the cracks. In literature class, Mr. Andrews asked the students to share their thoughts about the chapter they had read. Emma knew she had interesting things to say, but her voice failed her. She contented herself with writing down her ideas in her notebook, a silent outlet for her repressed emotions.

Liam woke up with a start, his heart pounding. He'd had a nightmare, another one. The screams of the crowd, the overwhelming expectations, and then the terrifying silence of failure. He took a few moments to calm his breathing, remembering the relaxation techniques learned in therapy. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. Once his pulse returned to normal, he got up and got ready for the day. He had to be perfect, as always. Every detail mattered. His well-groomed hair, his impeccable uniform. He could not afford any flaw. Going down the stairs, he found his parents already seated. His father, always so proud of his athletic son, gave him an approving nod. "Ready for practice tonight?" he asked. Liam nodded, hiding his apprehension. "Yes, of course."

The words seemed to come out of his mouth without him really thinking them. He swallowed his breakfast quickly, each mouthful heavy in his knotted stomach. His father's expectations weighed on his shoulders like a mountain. Every game, every training session was a test, not only of his skills but also of his worth. At school, he was immediately surrounded by his teammates and the team's fans. He exchanged jokes and hugs, perfectly playing his role as a charismatic leader. But behind that bright smile, a constant anxiety gnawed at him. Each social interaction was a performance carefully calibrated to hide his insecurities. In biology class, he was struggling to concentrate. The words in the textbook seemed blurred, and he had to reread them several times to understand their meaning. His mind was constantly drifting towards the upcoming matches, the game strategies, and above all, the fear of failing. Once, he felt a panic attack rising. His hands started shaking, and he closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. He couldn't afford to lose control. After classes, he headed to the gym for training. There, surrounded by his teammates, he felt a little safer. The repetitive movements of the physical exercises helped him to channel his anxiety, but only temporarily. The pressure never completely disappeared.