You Take My Cares Away

Chapter 1 - The Weight of Unsaid Words

(Faith's Pov)

March 16th, 2018

Los Angeles, California, Apartment 276📍

Sometimes, it can feel incredibly lonely when you're trying to figure out where you fit anymore because of the things that happened in your life. Only to have the people in your life suddenly disappear without any explanation; the concept of ghosting, where someone vanishes without a trace, leaves you questioning what went wrong.

I reflected on this several times while sitting alone at my desk when I shouldn't have been-looking up at the ceiling and reclining back in my chair, as these were the thoughts that would never leave my mind. I should be getting ready to leave my apartment, but I'm locked in the past beneath the gentle, subdued light of my computer screen.

That lingers in your thoughts, wondering if you were the cause, if your actions pushed them away. As the years continue and the silence becomes deafening, you start to accept that these people you used to know become distant memories deep inside your mind. Yet despite everything that happened, I can still remember her like it was yesterday, but at least I can move on, get over all of this for the better, or that's what I believed.

Faith's thoughts: "Why do I keep feeling this way? She left me four years ago. You need to stop thinking like this; it's time to let go of these thoughts."

With a sigh, I shut off my computer and got up from my desk, reaching out to grab my backpack. As I got to the bedroom door, I paused for a moment, taking one last glance at the room before stepping out and gently closing the door behind me. Ready to face another day, fully aware of what to expect from it.

Faith's thoughts: "I'm not in the mood to make brunch right now. I worked last night, and that killed me. I'll just grab a bite to eat when I'm out, so yeah, fuck that shit."

I gave that kitchen one glance, and that was enough for me. I snatched my keys from the counter and went on my way towards the door. However, as I paused between the living room and kitchen, I noticed the apple I left from before sitting there. Without hesitation, I turned back, grabbed the apple, and continued on my way to the door of my apartment.

Standing in front of the apartment door, I double-checked if I had everything I needed before heading out. I've had to turn back in the past countless times for things I forgot, but this time, I was confident that I had everything I needed.

Little did I know what awaited me on the other side of that door as I went to turn the handle. Nothing-and I mean nothing-would have been able to prepare me for who was there standing right in front of me like none of it ever happened.

Ariana: "You have to be fucking kidding me! How the hell did I forget what fucking apartment number she lives at? I literally wrote it down in my notes."

I froze for a second in disbelief, holding the handle to the door. My heart started racing in my chest as I heard that voice and as I stared at the figure in front of me. It was her, Ariana, the one person I'd never expected to see again. The memories flooded back, the pain, the confusion; it all came back to me, and I struggled so hard to comprehend why she was here.

Ariana's expression softened as our eyes locked on one another, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Neither of us had the courage to speak because both of us weren't prepared for this.

Ariana: "Faith, umm, is that? It's been a while, like wow, you really changed a whole lot since I last saw you."

Faith's thoughts: "This can't be happening right now. Why is she here? I can't deal with her or this now. Out of all the four years, she finally decided to show up. Is she for real?"