The days following the festival feel different. Though the familiarity of my life returns-homework, chores, and babysitting-there's a new energy thrumming beneath the surface. Ethan's innocent question haunts me, sparking a desire to break free from the shackles of invisibility. I want to be more than just the forgotten daughter, more than a ghost in my own family.
One evening, as I sit on my bed surrounded by stacks of textbooks, I can't shake the feeling that I need to try. I grab a notebook and begin to scribble lyrics-words that flow from my heart, spilling onto the page like ink from a well. I pour my soul into the lines, weaving stories of longing, love, and the struggle to be seen.
As the days pass, I steal moments to practice. When the house falls silent and everyone is asleep, I close my eyes and let my voice fill the empty space. It's terrifying yet exhilarating. I feel a flicker of the freedom I crave, a taste of something beyond the confines of my reality.
But every time I think of sharing my voice with my family, a wave of doubt washes over me. What if they laugh? What if they dismiss me, just like they do with so many things in my life? I shove the notebook under my bed, hiding my dreams once again.
Then, one fateful evening, everything changes. It's late, and I'm sitting in my room, heart racing as I finally gather the courage to share my song with Ethan. I tiptoe down the hallway, peeking into his room where he sleeps peacefully. The sight tugs at my heartstrings-he is so innocent, so full of life.
As I gently close the door, a sudden noise makes me freeze. It's Sophia and James, their laughter echoing from the living room. The familiar pang of exclusion hits me like a wave, and before I know it, I'm retreating back to my room, disappointment crashing over me.
But as I sit on the edge of my bed, I realize that this isn't just about them. It's about me-my voice, my dreams. I can't keep hiding in the shadows. I take a deep breath, clutching my notebook to my chest, and decide it's time to embrace the flicker of courage that's been ignited within me.
YOU ARE READING
HEART'S IN THE SHADOWS
FantasyLila has always been the forgotten child, overshadowed by her parents' attention toward her half-siblings and younger brother. Despite her love and dedication, she is treated as little more than a servant in her own home-unseen, unheard, and unloved...
