Messages.

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Areum sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the phone in her hand. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the air conditioner. It had been a long day of therapy sessions, and she felt emotionally drained but oddly lighter. Her therapist had been working with her on finding hope and resilience, and although the journey was tough, Areum was beginning to feel a shift within herself.

She unlocked her phone, and there it was—Carl's message. After weeks of silence and unanswered texts, seeing his name pop up on her screen brought a mixture of relief and apprehension. She took a deep breath and clicked on the message.

*Hey Areum, it's Carl. I know we haven't talked in a while, but I've been thinking about you. I'm trying to change things in my life, and I hope you're doing okay. Let me know if you want to talk.*

Areum's fingers hovered over the screen as she considered her response. The old Areum—the one who was always guarded and distant—felt a twinge of hesitation. But the new Areum, who was slowly learning to open up and heal, felt a surge of warmth at Carl's words.

She began typing, her message flowing more naturally than she expected:

*Hey Carl, it's been a while. I'm glad to hear from you. I've been working on myself, going to therapy, trying to sort things out. It's been tough, but I'm starting to feel a bit more hopeful. How are you?*

After sending the message, Areum set her phone down and leaned back against the pillows. For the first time in a long while, she felt a genuine sense of relaxation. The weight of her past mistakes and the trauma she had been carrying were beginning to lift. Therapy was helping her see things differently, and for the first time, she was allowing herself to believe that things could get better.

As she waited for Carl's reply, Areum's mind wandered back to their time in juvie. Despite the tension and conflicts, Carl had been a significant part of her life. She remembered their conversations, the laughter they shared, and even the heated arguments. Those memories, though complicated, now seemed like a part of her growth.

The phone buzzed on her bed, and Areum's heart skipped a beat. Carl had responded:

*I'm doing better, trying to make some big changes. It's been rough, but I'm working on it. I'm really glad to hear you're doing okay. It would be good to catch up if you're up for it.*

Areum smiled, feeling a flutter of anticipation. It was comforting to know that Carl was also trying to move forward, just as she was. The connection they once had, though strained, was still there. It was a reminder of the past that had shaped both of them and a glimpse into a future where they might find healing together.

Taking a deep breath, Areum decided to embrace the possibility of reconnecting. She typed her response:

*I'd like that. Maybe we can catch up soon. I'm looking forward to it.*

With a final tap on the screen, she sent the message and set her phone aside. The sense of hope and relaxation that followed felt like a small victory. Areum knew she still had a lot of work to do on herself, but today, she felt like she was on the right path. Reconnecting with Carl was just one more step in her journey toward healing and finding peace.

A Year of Revision and Amour : Carl GallagherWhere stories live. Discover now