I head straight to the park, my safe haven. The sun is setting, casting a golden hue over the landscape, and I find a quiet bench beneath a large oak tree. I pull out my notebook, hoping to release the pent-up emotions swirling inside me.
As I write, the words flow freely, capturing my frustrations, fears, and the deep desire for acceptance. The ink becomes a cathartic release, each stroke bringing clarity to my thoughts.
After a while, I hear footsteps approaching, and I look up to see Leo walking toward me. His expression is filled with concern. "Hey, I was looking for you. Are you okay?"
"Not really," I admit, feeling vulnerable. "I just had a rough talk with my parents."
He sits down beside me, his presence instantly comforting. "Do you want to talk about it?"
I hesitate but then nod. "They just don't understand. They want me to give up music, to focus on responsibilities that feel suffocating. I feel like they don't see me at all."
Leo listens intently, and as I speak, the weight on my chest begins to lift. "It's so frustrating, Leo! I love my family, but I can't keep sacrificing my dreams for them."
"Lila, you deserve to follow your passions. It's your life," he says, his tone firm yet gentle. "You shouldn't have to hide who you are to please them."
I nod, appreciating his understanding. "Sometimes I feel like I'm not strong enough to stand up for myself. Like I'm stuck in this role of the forgotten child."
"You're stronger than you realize," he assures me, his eyes steady. "It's okay to put yourself first. Your dreams matter, and you have a right to pursue them."
In that moment, I feel a flicker of hope. Leo's support has become a lifeline, a reminder that I am not alone in this journey. "Thanks for always being here for me, Leo. It means a lot."
"Always," he replies, a soft smile spreading across his face.
As the sun dips below the horizon, I find comfort in the bond we've formed. Leo may not be my family by blood, but he feels like family in a way I've never experienced before.
"Let's write a song together," I suggest, feeling inspired by our conversation.
"Absolutely! What do you want to write about?" he asks, excitement lighting up his features.
"About finding strength in vulnerability and the power of friendship," I say, feeling a surge of determination.
With that, we pull out our notebooks and begin to brainstorm ideas, laughter and creativity filling the air. For the first time in a long while, I feel a sense of peace. I may be fighting against my family's expectations, but I'm also building something beautiful with Leo and my friends-a new family of choice.
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...
