The player and the shy girl (ΒΟΟΚ2)

Shadows of the Past

I continue walking towards my house. I open the door and step inside.

My aunt is sitting on the couch, and as soon as I walk in, she smiles and gets up.

"Welcome back!"

"Hi, what brings you here?" I ask her as she comes over to hug me.

"You have a surprise in your room," she says. I look at her and then glance around my room. I spot some men's shoes in the hallway and look at her in disbelief.

"No way!!! Mike!" I shout as I run to my room. He comes out, and I hug him tightly.

"Dude, dolphin! When did you get here?" I exclaim as I look at him.

"Just now. I wanted to surprise you."

"How are you? How's it going?" I ask him as we sit on my bed.

"I'm good. I'm doing great. How about you?" he replies, laughing.

Mike is a friend of mine, and our parents used to hang out a lot together. I call him "dolphin" because he surfs, and he was away for three years competing. He was a lifeguard and a swimmer, having won first place in competitions multiple times. He graduated this year and came to visit us.

That's Mike

"What's going on? Still no boyfriend from what I see."

"Right there, huh? What about you, you little rascal?"

"Well, something is happening."

"Whoa! I caught you. Spill it!"

"Her name is Alisa, I met her at swimming."

"Oh, I'm so happy for you!"

"You're not saying anything," he says, looking at me.

Now, what exactly should I tell him? That there's nothing going on is so incredibly frustrating; you can't really describe it.

"Nah," I finally reply.

"What a pity."

"Well, not really. I have my peace, so..."

"Alright, fair enough."

"So, what are we doing today?" I ask him with a smile.

"I won't have much time today, but if you want, we can do whatever you want tomorrow!"

"Okay, but just so you know, I'm your priority."

"Of course, I know that!"

"Just like that, little dolphin," I reply, and he laughs.

"You're never going to stop calling me that, are you?"

"Absolutely not!" I respond, and he looks at me, smiling.

"Alright, I have to go take care of some paperwork. I'll come back to see you later."

"Okay then. Oh, and just so you know, I want to meet Alisa."

"I'll keep that in mind; she'll want to meet you too," he says with a smile.

"I'll talk to you later, little one," he says as he hugs me and walks out of my room.

Since my parents passed away, Mike has been like a brother to me. He took care of me so well, looking out for me like no one else. He's like the brother I lost, just a different age. He means a lot to me.

I sit on my bed for a moment until I do some schoolwork, then I head downstairs to eat.

"Aunt, are you still here?"

"I'll be leaving soon."

"Alright," I say, looking at her and then at the fridge. There's always been a drawing I made when I was little hanging there—a picture of our family together.

I look at it and let out a sigh. "In a few days, it's the day," I say, looking at my aunt.

"I know, sweetheart."

"Are you sure you want to go?"

"Yes..." she replies, stroking my shoulder.

"I miss them."

"So do I, sweetheart. I miss them so much," she answers, and I try to force a smile, but it doesn't come.

In the end, I make something to eat. After a few minutes, I go back to my room. I turn on the TV, and soon sleep starts to take over.

I'm in the car with my parents, deciding where to go for dinner, when a truck loses control from the other lane and comes crashing towards us. I start screaming at my dad to stop braking, but the truck slams into us...

"EMMA, wake up!!!"

I sit up in bed, startled, with tears soaking my pillow. My breaths quicken as I start crying more in Mike's arms.

"Calm down, it was just a dream," he says, stroking my hair.

"I CAN'T, NOT AGAIN!" I cry, unable to control myself once more.

"Make it stop, I can't," I keep repeating.

"Emma, calm down. Look at me, focus on me, you're okay. I'm here," Mike says, trying to bring me back.

I look at him and gradually find my breath again, but the tears keep flowing...

I've been having these episodes ever since my parents died. The nightmares never let up.

Even now, I still face it sometimes. THIS isn't over, and I believe it never will be...

"Are you okay?" Mike asks as he hands me a glass of water.

"Better," I say, wrapping the blanket around me.

"Come here, let's hug," he says, opening his arms, and I embrace him.

"When did you arrive?"

"I've been here for about two hours, but I have to leave again soon."

"And what if it happens again?" I say, looking at him.

"Don't let it happen again, you're strong," he tells me, looking into my eyes and trying to encourage me.