♡BRANDON♡
It’s been years since the accident, but the heaviness hasn’t lifted. Every morning feels like a battle just to get out of bed.
Today is no different. I drag myself through the motions—brushing my teeth, showering, putting on my clothes—but I barely recognize the person staring back at me in the mirror.
When I get to school, everything feels dull, like the volume’s been turned down on the world. The hallways are filled with chatter, but it all seems so far away.
I keep my head down as I walk to class, hoping to avoid the awkward glances and whispered conversations that still follow me around.
Since Mom died and my failed suicide attempt, everyone’s been treating me like I’m fragile, like I might break at any moment. I guess I can’t blame them. I’m not the same guy I was before.
But I hate the way they look at me now—like I’m some sort of ghost, lingering in the space where I used to be.
When I get to homeroom, I slide into my seat near the back, my usual spot. I take out my notebook and start sketching, just to keep my hands busy.
It’s the only thing that gives me any peace lately—drawing, losing myself in the lines and shapes, making something with my hands when everything else feels so broken.
A few minutes later, the teacher walks in with someone new—a girl. She’s standing at the front of the room, smiling, her energy bright even in the sleepy morning classroom.
“This is Athalia Knowles.” Mr. Devlin announces. “She’s new to our school, so make her feel welcome.”
Athalia.
She seems different, even from here. She has a warm, inviting presence. Her chestnut brown eyes shine with a natural curiosity, scanning her surroundings with a sense of wonder.
Her long, slightly curly hair cascades down past her shoulders, the curls soft and loose, framing her face in a gentle wave. Her light brown skin has a sun-kissed glow, complementing her bright smile.
I wish I could smile like that.
The way she's smiling, like the world doesn’t faze her. As she scans the room, her eyes land on me for a brief second. Then, to my surprise, she walks over and takes the empty seat next to mine.
For a few minutes, I just keep my head down, trying not to pay attention. But then I feel a tap on my arm. I look over, and she’s leaning slightly toward me, her eyes on the sketch in front of me.
“That’s amazing,” she says, her voice soft but enthusiastic. “Did you draw that?”
I nod, not really knowing how to respond. It’s weird having someone notice me, especially something like my drawing.
“You’re really talented,” she continues, her voice bubbling with excitement. “I can barely draw a stick figure without it looking weird.”
I give her a small smile–just a twitch of my lips–before going back to my sketch. I expect her to stop talking, but she doesn’t. She keeps smiling, and for some reason, her energy doesn’t annoy me like it usually would. There’s something sincere about it.
“I’m Athalia,” she adds, as if the teacher hadn’t already introduced her. “What’s your name?”
“Brandon,” I mutter.
“Nice to meet you, Brandon,” she says, cheerful and unfazed by my quietness. She leans back in her seat, her eyes still bright.
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YOU ARE READING
Cold Water
Romance[BWWM] I was only twelve years old when the world turned cold. The day my mom died in that car accident, I felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my heart. My dad, who had always been my hero, suddenly became a stranger, filled...
