Veil of Secrets

Chapter Forty-Three - The Pressure Rising

Lunchtime at Evernight High School was usually a chaotic affair, but today, a heavy silence hung over our table. It had been a week since Sebastian and I had made our relationship official in front of our friends, and the absence of Lukas was painfully obvious. I couldn't shake the feeling of loss every time I glanced at the empty seat across from me.

"Have you heard anything from Lukas?" Emma asked, her voice tinged with concern.

I shook my head, trying to mask the ache in my chest. "No. He hasn't come to school at all." I felt a knot tightening in my stomach. The way he'd reacted that day still stung, but I refused to let it affect me any further. I had to focus on the positives, and right now, those positives revolved around Sebastian.

"Maybe he just needs some time," Ethan chimed in, attempting to be supportive. "You know how he can be."

"Time or not, he shouldn't be shutting everyone out," Emma replied, crossing her arms.

I took a sip of my drink, forcing a smile. "I'll give him space. I just hope he's okay."

"Speaking of okay," Sebastian said, leaning in closer to me, his voice softening, "how are your powers coming along? Clara said you've been doing really well."

I couldn't help but beam at him. "I've been practicing. I can make three cyclones at once now."

"Impressive," he said, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "I knew you could do it."

"Thanks! Clara's been a great teacher," I replied, feeling a swell of pride. "But I think I might be hitting a wall with everything else going on."

"Yeah, there's a lot to juggle," Emma said, her brow furrowing. "With prom coming up and graduation in just three months, it must be overwhelming."

I nodded, the weight of expectations crashing down on me like an avalanche. "It is. I'm trying to keep up with school, hang out with Alex, and please my parents. Plus, Clara keeps mentioning the 'big thing' that's coming. I just feel... burnt out."

Sebastian reached across the table, taking my hand in his. The warmth of his touch was grounding. "If you ever need to talk or take a break, I'm here for you. We can figure this out together."

"Thanks, Seb. That means a lot," I said, squeezing his hand back, grateful for his support.

After lunch, the rest of the day dragged on, and by the time I got home, I felt the pressure building inside me. I glanced at my homework piled on my desk, the looming tasks ahead of me suffocating my thoughts. With a heavy sigh, I retreated to my bedroom, hoping some solitude would ease my mind.

But the moment I closed the door, I felt it-a tightening in my chest, a sense of panic rising like a tide I couldn't escape. My breaths became shallow, and I struggled to find my center.

"Aria?" Sebastian's voice cut through the haze, and before I knew it, he was at my door. I hadn't even heard him knock.

"I'm fine!" I called out, but even I could hear the tremor in my voice.

"Open up. I'm coming in," he said, and I couldn't find the strength to protest.

The door creaked open, and Sebastian stepped inside, concern etched on his face. "You don't look fine."

"I'm just... overwhelmed," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't breathe."

Without hesitation, he crossed the room and sat beside me on the bed, his presence both calming and grounding. "Look at me, Aria," he said softly, his blue eyes locking onto mine. "Breathe with me. In through your nose... out through your mouth."

I nodded, desperately wanting to follow his lead. He demonstrated, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, and I tried to match his rhythm. Gradually, my breaths steadied, but the unease still simmered beneath the surface.

"I'm here," he whispered, gently taking my hand in his. "Just focus on me. You're not alone in this."

"I'm scared, Seb," I confessed, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "I feel like I'm failing at everything. There's so much I have to do, and I can't handle it."

"You're not failing," he reassured me, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "You're human, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. You're doing more than most people your age."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my emotions finally beginning to ease. "But what if I mess everything up? Prom, graduation... my powers... everything?"

He squeezed my hand tighter. "You won't mess it up. You're strong, Aria. You've faced so much already. And no matter what happens, I'll be right here with you."

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and for the first time that day, I felt a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Sebastian. I really needed you right now."

"Always," he replied, a soft smile gracing his lips.

The panic began to fade, replaced by a sense of calm. As we sat together in silence, I realized how important it was to have someone like him by my side. He made the chaos manageable, and for that, I was incredibly grateful.

With a deep breath, I leaned into him, feeling safe for the first time in a long while. As he rested his arm around my shoulders, I knew that I could face whatever was coming, as long as I had Sebastian with me.