If We Fall Again

Chapter 13

Elise stared at the small mirror on her desk, brushing her fingers through her hair absently. The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds, each one feeling like a weight pressing down on her chest. Months had passed since her mother’s death, but the pain was still fresh, raw. Her nights were filled with muffled sobs, her days with numbness. She was surviving—just barely.

Community college had been her only option after her father decided to cut her off, refusing to pay for anything. Her dreams of going to the university she had once planned with Nate were shattered. Now, her life had become a bleak routine—school, the lonely house, and the constant reminders of her failures.

Elise glanced at her phone, seeing a message from Nate. "I’ll be home later today. Can’t wait to see you. I miss you"

Her heart skipped a beat, excitement briefly flickering inside her. It had been weeks since she last saw him. Nate had been busy with his part-time job and studies, and the distance between their schools made it harder to meet. She tried to hold onto the thought of seeing him, hoping it would brighten her mood, but the heavy sadness never fully lifted.

She stood up and made her way downstairs, hesitating at the sight of her father in the living room. He was sitting on the couch, flipping through the TV channels, his face twisted with the same coldness he had shown her ever since her mother’s accident. She bit her lip, taking a deep breath before speaking.

“I’m going out for a bit,” she said softly, hoping to at least get a neutral response.

Her father didn’t even look at her. “I couldn’t care less,” he muttered, his voice flat and indifferent.

Elise’s heart shattered at the words, tears immediately stinging her eyes. She quickly turned away, not wanting him to see her cry, and left the house. He doesn’t care. He’ll never care.

The walk to Nate’s house felt longer than usual, the cool evening breeze doing little to ease the ache in her chest. She wiped at her eyes, trying to hold back the tears as she approached his front door. Just hold on a little longer. Nate’s here. Everything will be okay.

The house was quiet when she stepped inside. Nate and his mother weren’t home yet, so she slipped into his room, finding solace in the familiar space. She had a key now—something that had once made her feel secure, like she was part of his life, his world. But lately, even this comfort felt hollow.

Hours passed, and just as the sky began to darken, she heard the front door open. Nate and his mom were talking as they entered the house, their voices soft but carrying through the walls. Elise started to stand up, about to greet them, but then froze when she heard her name.

“I’m really worried about you, Nate,” Lily said, her voice filled with concern. “You’re running yourself ragged. Balancing your job, your studies, and Elise... it’s too much.”

Elise’s heart sank as she silently crept closer to the door, listening, her hands trembling.

“Mom, stop,” Nate replied, his tone tense. “Elise needs me right now. She’s going through a lot. I’m not going to just leave her.”

“I know you care about her,” Lily continued gently, “but you’re not taking care of yourself. You’re exhausted all the time. I see it. You’re barely sleeping, working shifts, trying to keep up with your schoolwork—and on top of that, you’re trying to hold Elise together.”

Elise clutched the edge of Nate’s desk, her heart pounding in her chest. Am I really that much of a burden?

“I can handle it,” Nate insisted, his voice rising slightly with frustration. “I’ll do anything for her, Mom. You don’t understand how much she’s been through.”