Old Days Break Free [ON HOLD]

14

The unending fight

Lorraine's POV

"I must be going insane."

"I'm not. No, I'm not insane. I'm just nervous."

"That's not nervousness-"

"It is. I am nervous!"

I kept pacing, walking in circles, my mind spinning as I tried to talk myself out of my anxiety.

It was ridiculous, really.

All this fuss over a simple gender reveal party, yet here I was, my nerves tying me up in knots.

I couldn’t shake the feeling.

What was I supposed to wear?

Was it even worth going?

I’d been invited, but this was the first time I’d attend a Baek-Ybañez gathering.

That alone made my stomach churn with unease.

"Alright, Lorraine, take a deep breath. They invited you, so of course, you're welcome there. It’s fine… Let’s just dress casually." I muttered to myself, trying to steady my shaking hands.

But even as I spoke, tears of anxiety started to prick at my eyes. This wasn’t like me at all.

In the end, I settled on a pink v-neck vest paired with white trousers, keeping it simple yet presentable.

I curled my hair, trying to make the best of the situation, and put on a light touch of makeup to complete the look.

I quickly messaged Athena, asking if she was coming.

She responded that she’d be there, but she was just finishing up some work.

Her reply was enough to make me feel a little less anxious.

I missed her—things had been so busy lately with work that I hadn't had the chance to spend time with her. I just hoped she was alright now.

Thinking about Athena made me smile, the kind of smile that comes from deep within.

Things between us had started to feel normal again, like we hadn’t fought at all.

She was even replying more often, not like before when she seemed so distant.

And of course, I couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement.

As I drove, I found myself drifting into daydreams, scenarios playing out in my mind like a movie I couldn’t stop watching.

“She’ll tell me, ‘You look stunning today, Lorraine… No, wait, you’re always stunning, but today, it’s just overwhelming.’"

"And I’ll laugh and say, ‘You’re the one who looks handsome every day. No wonder everyone’s always flirting with you.’"

“And she’ll say, ‘Let them flirt all they want. I’ll always come back to you.’ Damn it! Oh my God!” I nearly squealed at the thought, my cheeks heating up with that familiar rush of excitement.

It was so comforting to know that things between us were good again.

She was, after all, the one bright spot in this otherwise dull world.

She’s my yellow, the color that brightens everything.

Lost in my fantasies, I kept creating scene after scene in my mind, my thoughts swirling around Athena and what tonight might hold.