𝓕𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓰𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮

♪ Hear me out...

Y/N's POV

The night was a blur of shadows and whispers, a nightmare I couldn't shake off. I was back in that place, the bright sun illuminating the soccer field, but the warmth faded as Sae's figure loomed closer. His laughter echoed, mocking my insecurities. "You think you're good enough? You'll never be as great as me."

I woke up gasping, my heart racing as I fumbled for my phone to check the time. 6:30 AM. Just another day. I lay in bed for a few moments, the remnants of sleep still clinging to me, before forcing myself out from under the covers. My reflection in the mirror revealed dark circles under my eyes, a stark reminder of my restless night. I splashed some cold water on my face, hoping it would wake me up, but the exhaustion was still there, heavy and persistent.

After a quick breakfast that I barely tasted, I grabbed my backpack and headed to school. The air was crisp, a contrast to the storm brewing inside me. My mind was too scattered to focus on anything other than the lingering echo of Sae's words.

Walking into school, I was met with the familiar hustle and bustle of students. I felt like I was moving through a fog, my mind barely registering the friendly greetings from my classmates.

"Ayo, Y/N!" Aiko called out, her bright smile a beacon of warmth in my foggy world.

"Hey," I mumbled, trying to muster some enthusiasm.

Hana and Ren joined us, their usual banter flowing effortlessly, but I could feel their concern lingering in the air. They exchanged glances, clearly noting my subdued demeanor, but I appreciated that they didn't press me for details. They knew I would talk when I was ready.

Classes dragged on, each hour blurring into the next. I struggled to focus on lectures, my thoughts drifting back to the nightmare and my parents. I hated feeling like this, stuck in a never-ending cycle of expectations and responsibilities.

At lunch, I picked at my food, barely hungry, while my friends chatted about their plans for the weekend. I smiled and nodded when necessary, but the conversation felt distant. Aiko nudged my shoulder, her touch grounding me for a moment.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly, concern etched in her features.

"Yeah, just tired," I replied, forcing a smile.

She didn't look convinced but nodded anyway, and I felt a flicker of gratitude for her understanding.

After school, I headed to volleyball practice. I loved the game; it was a place where I could momentarily forget about everything else. But today, even the adrenaline of spikes and serves couldn't shake the exhaustion. I moved through the drills like a zombie, my mind elsewhere as I tried to keep up with the rhythm of the practice.

"Y/N, focus," my coach called out, but I could only manage a nod, the words barely registering.

As practice wrapped up, I grabbed my stuff and headed home, the weight of my thoughts dragging me down.

+_+_+_+

When I walked in, my parents were already waiting for me in the living room, their expressions serious. The sight of them sent a fresh wave of dread coursing through me.

"Y/N, we need to talk," my dad said, his tone firm.

"About what?" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

My mom exchanged a look with my dad before she spoke. "Your grades have been slipping. We want you to consider tutoring."

"I don't need tutoring. I'm fine, i am getting A and B, how much more do you want from me?!" I snapped, frustration boiling over.