Adele in Love "The woman in the crowd"

6|| the scar

The next morning, the delicate light of dawn filtered softly through the curtains, bathing the room in a gentle glow. Adele woke to a peaceful quiet, the early hour wrapping the space in a serene stillness. Her attention was drawn to the bathroom, where a faint light glowed from beneath the door. An unsettling feeling stirred within her, bringing back memories of the previous night and the emotional burden Isy had carried.

With a quiet resolve, Adele slipped out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. Concern weighed heavily on her heart as she tapped gently on the door. "Isy, are you okay? It's still quite early."

There was a moment of silence before Isy's voice answered, hurried and strained. "Yes, I'm fine. Everything's okay."

Even though Isy's words were reassuring, Adele's worry didn't ease. The hurried tone hinted at something still troubling her. Adele peeked through the small gap in the door and was met with a sight that broke her heart—Isy standing in front of the mirror, applying cream to a large scar on her back. Tears glistened in Isy's eyes, adding to the poignancy of the moment.

Adele felt a surge of empathy and concern. She was torn between pressing further or respecting Isy's apparent need for privacy, just as she had the night before. Her mind raced as she struggled to balance her desire to support with her wish not to intrude.

Sensing Adele's presence, Isy suddenly turned around. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly grabbed a nearby towel to shield herself. Adele's heart ached at the sight of Isy's discomfort and vulnerability.

Taking a deep breath, Adele gently opened the door. "Isy, if you need anything, please let me know. I'm here for you and want to help in any way I can."

Isy's eyes, already filled with tears, now held a mixture of relief and uncertainty. Her voice was soft, tinged with gratitude. "I—thank you, Adele. I really appreciate your offer. I didn't expect to be so emotional. If it's okay, I'd like some company."

Adele's heart swelled with compassion. She stepped into the bathroom, her presence warm and understanding. "Of course, it's okay. I want you to feel supported and comfortable. Let me help however I can."

As Adele's comforting presence enveloped Isy, the tension in her shoulders seemed to ease. With gentle encouragement, Adele helped Isy with the cream and offered soothing, reassuring words.

Once Isy had calmed a bit, Adele suggested they have some tea and settle in the room. They moved to the bedroom, where the soft light from the lamps created a cozy, inviting atmosphere. As Adele prepared the tea, she glanced back at Isy, noticing the still-visible strain on her face.

When Adele returned with the steaming mugs, she found Isy sitting on the edge of the bed, looking more at ease. They settled together, sipping their tea in a comfortable silence, the warmth of the room a soothing contrast to the tension they had both felt.

The warmth of Adele's reassurance seemed to lift the weight from Isy's shoulders. "Thank you, Adele. I'm really glad you're here. I do feel more comfortable now."

As Adele and Isy sipped their tea in the soft glow of the bedroom, the room's warm atmosphere began to ease the lingering tension. The gentle clinking of mugs and the subtle scent of the tea created a cocoon of calm, a welcome reprieve from the emotional storm that had preceded it.

Adele glanced at Isy, her eyes full of concern and care. "Isy, if you ever want to talk about anything, I'm here to listen. Sometimes it helps to share what's on your mind."

Isy looked up, her eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and hesitation. She took a deep breath, visibly struggling to find the right words. "I appreciate that, Adele. It's just... sometimes the weight of everything feels overwhelming. I try to put on a brave face, but there are moments when it's hard to keep it all together."

Adele reached out and gently touched Isy's hand. "You don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to have moments when you need support. We're in this together."

Isy's eyes filled with tears again, but this time they were accompanied by a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. It's been so hard trying to manage everything on my own. I've been so focused on pushing through, I forgot how much it helps to have someone there."

Adele squeezed Isy's hand reassuringly. "You're not alone in this. We all need someone to lean on sometimes. Let me be that for you. Whenever you need to talk, cry, or just sit in silence, I'm here."

The vulnerability in Isy's expression seemed to soften as she absorbed Adele's words. She nodded slowly, her grip on the mug tightening slightly as if drawing strength from the gesture. "It's strange how much of a difference it makes just knowing someone cares. I've been feeling so lost lately, and your presence really helps."

Adele smiled gently. "I'm glad to hear that. Sometimes, it's the little things that matter the most. We don't have to solve everything all at once. Just taking things one step at a time, with a little support, can make a world of difference."

Isy took a sip of her tea, her shoulders relaxing as she began to settle into the comforting atmosphere. "You're right. I've been so focused on trying to fix things that I forgot to take a moment for myself. It feels good to just breathe and be here right now."

They sat together in quiet companionship, the warmth of the tea and the soft light of the lamps creating an oasis of calm. As the minutes passed, Isy's demeanor seemed to lighten, the tension in her posture easing with each sip and shared moment.

Adele, noticing the shift, decided to gently steer the conversation to lighter topics. "Have you been working on any new projects or hobbies lately? Sometimes focusing on something enjoyable can be a nice escape."

Isy's eyes brightened a bit at the change in topic. "Actually, I've been trying to get back into painting. It's something I used to love, but I haven't had much time for it lately. Maybe I'll take it up again. It always helped me relax."

"That sounds wonderful," Adele encouraged. "Creative outlets can be so therapeutic. If you'd like, I'd love to see your work sometime. Maybe we could even have a little art session together."

Isy smiled more genuinely, a spark of excitement appearing in her eyes. "I'd like that. It's been a while since I've shared my art with anyone. It could be nice to have a creative buddy."

Adele grinned warmly. "It's a date then. I'm looking forward to it. In the meantime, remember that you don't have to go through this alone. We'll take it one step at a time, together."

As they continued to sip their tea, the room was filled with a sense of quiet hope and newfound connection. The comfort of Adele's presence and the gentle exchange had already begun to lighten the emotional load that had weighed so heavily on Isy. It was a small, but meaningful beginning to finding solace and strength in each other's company.