Chapter 8: Shadows of the Past
I woke up with mixed emotions.
Jackson's family had welcomed me with open arms.
His mom's warmth reminded me of what I'd always wanted.
A loving mother.
But my own mother's absence stung.
Our strained relationship weighed on me.
I felt like I'd never truly been loved.
Or accepted.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.
I brushed them away.
Trying to shake off the feelings.
But they lingered.
A flashback hit me like a wave:
---
I was 16, at a carnival.
Laughter and excitement filled the air.
A boy approached me.
Smiling.
Charming.
We rode the Ferris wheel together.
As we stepped off, he grabbed my arm.
Tight.
"Let's take a walk," he whispered.
Fear spiked.
I tried to shake him off.
But he held tight.
He dragged me away.
From the lights.
From the crowd.
I struggled.
Kicked.
But he covered my mouth.
Silencing me.
I managed to free my mouth.
"Scream!" my mind shouted.
"HELP!" I screamed.
A figure passed by.
A boy.
He saw us.
But kept walking.
Didn't look back.
---
The flashback faded.
Leaving me breathless.
Shaken.
I pushed the memories away.
For now.
Later that day, Jackson picked me up for our date.
"Dinner and a walk by the river," he said.
Smiling.
I forced a smile.
Trying to shake off the lingering fear.
As we walked, Jackson noticed my unease.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.
I hesitated.
"Just tired," I said.
Jackson's eyes softened.
"You can tell me anything," he whispered.
I wanted to.
But the words stuck.
Fear and trust tangled inside me.
Jackson wrapped his arm around me.
"You're safe with me," he said.
His warmth comforted me.
For a moment, I felt protected.
But the shadows of my past lingered.
Waiting to pounce.
We continued our walk.
Jackson pointing out stars.
Telling stories.
Laughing.
I joined in.
Forgetting.
Temporarily.
As the night ended, Jackson walked me home.
"Thank you for tonight," I said.
Jackson smiled.
"Anytime."
He leaned in.
Kissed me.
Soft.
Gentle.
I melted into his arms.
Feeling safe.
For now.
But the past remained.
Hidden.
Waiting to surface.
---
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Just The Thought
RomanceIn this poignant and tragic love story, two troubled souls meet at a hostel, sparking an intense romance. The boy, aware of the girl's dark past and inner turmoil, loves her unconditionally. However, their relationship is marred by infidelity. Hear...
