[Marina's POV]
A comfortable calmness settles over me as I step into my apartment. Finally home.
I toss my bag to the side, slipping into something more relaxed before sinking into the couch. The TV flickers on, and in a few quick taps, I'm scrolling through Netflix. 'Breaking Bad' it is.
It's Friday afternoon, but going out is the last thing on my mind after last night. The idea of a quiet evening - just me, a few snacks, and a solid series - feels like a relief. Sometimes, a chill night in beats anything else.
The best part? Being alone. Don't get me wrong - it's nice spending time with Vic and my friends, even if I don't show it much. But I'm tired. Tired of the questions, the explanations. Tired of talking at all.
Solitude. That's all I need tonight.
The familiar sound of Breaking Bad fills the room, and I sink deeper into the couch. It feels good to switch off my brain for a while, letting the chaos of Walter White's world drown out everything else. I don't even notice how many episodes have passed until my stomach grumbles, reminding me I haven't eaten in hours.
I pause the show and stretch. It's late, but not too late to cook something. Heading into the kitchen, I open the fridge and stare at it for a minute. Pasta will do. I grab the spaghetti, some garlic, and sauce, working through the steps on autopilot. The sizzling garlic fills the room, and I find myself relaxing even more, enjoying the simplicity of it all.
Once it's done, I sit back on the couch with a plate of pasta, eating as the show continues. There's something comforting about it - just me, the food, and the TV. No one asking me questions, no one expecting anything.
But eventually, I can't ignore the pile of homework waiting on the table. Sighing, I set my empty plate aside and drag myself over to start working. Physics first. The equations feel never-ending, but with each problem solved, I feel a bit more at ease. One subject down, then it's Pre-Calculus. The numbers blur together after a while, but I push through, determined to finish everything before Monday.
When I'm finally done, I close my books and lean back in my chair, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease. It's late now, but at least I've done everything I need to. I grab my pack of cigarettes from my bag and step out onto my balcony.
The cool night air hits my face as I light the cigarette, taking a long drag. As the smoke fills my lungs, I let my thoughts drift away, far from homework and school. I exhale slowly, watching the smoke curl into the night sky. For a moment, I think about last night, about how everything feels like it's spinning out of control. But out here, alone with just my cigarette, everything seems distant. Almost manageable.
I take a few more drags before stubbing the cigarette out in the ashtray, feeling a bit calmer now. I head back inside, ready to wrap up the night.
I turn off the TV and start my bedtime routine. Brushing my teeth, washing my face - it's all so routine that I barely think about it. My eyelids are heavy as I flick off the bathroom light and make my way to my bedroom. I pull back the covers, already feeling the weight of sleep pulling me down.
I slip under the covers, the cool sheets brushing against my skin as I settle into bed. The softness of the pillow cradles my head, and I sink deeper, my body finally relaxing after a long day.
For a moment, I lie there in the darkness, staring up at the faint shadows on the ceiling. My mind drifts, trying to latch onto thoughts, but nothing stays for long. It's just a gentle blur of memories - snippets of school, my friends, the faces I passed today. But I'm too tired to care, and none of it matters now.
YOU ARE READING
Hearts in the Shadows (wlw teacherxstudent)
Fiksi UmumEighteen-year-old Marina Matei, a Romanian high school student in Los Angeles, is no ordinary teenager. Her father is the ruthless leader of one of Romania's largest cartels, now expanded into the U.S. under the guise of a "better life." With a viol...