Unspoken

The Calm After the Storm

As Selena walked out of the school gate, she felt the weight of the day pressing down on her. The chatter of other students faded as she reached her bicycle, her familiar escape. She hopped on and began pedaling through the streets, her mind replaying moments from her first day—the curious stares, the murmurs, the feeling of being out of place.

When she arrived home, the house was quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling school she'd just left. She parked her bike outside and stepped into the entryway, where her mom appeared, smiling warmly.

"Selena! How was your first day?" her mom asked, her voice full of encouragement and hope.

Selena hesitated, pulling off her shoes slowly. She looked down, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn't quite untangle, and finally muttered, "It's fine."

Only two words, but they hung in the air, heavy and uncertain. Her mom's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of quiet concern. She watched Selena closely, sensing that there was more left unsaid.

"Just... fine?" her mom prompted gently, hoping for a little more.

Selena nodded, avoiding her mom's gaze. "Yeah, just fine."

Her mom bit her lip, clearly wanting to say something more, but held back, giving Selena space. Selena walked past her, heading to her room, feeling both relieved and guilty for not opening up.

Camila Alvarez—she had long black hair that fell gracefully over her shoulders, fair skin that complemented her beautiful, expressive eyes—eyes that noticed the slightest changes in her daughter. She had been a dedicated biology professor at Fontenebro International School, teaching 10th to 12th graders before she left her job to support her husband's transfer to Barcelona. Having seen so many students like Selena, she understood her daughter's quiet nature, especially in social situations. Yet, now that they were together, her concern for Selena ran deeper than ever.

Selena trudged upstairs, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders. She entered her room and collapsed onto her bed, sinking into the softness of the mattress. The quiet of her room was a temporary relief from the chaos of the day. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to block out the swirl of thoughts in her head, but then—

"Selena!" a small voice called from the doorway.

She groaned as Kevin, her little brother, bounced into the room, his mischievous grin already spreading across his face. He was only in first grade, but he had a talent for being loud and full of energy, much more than a girl who just wanted some peace after her day.

"Guess what I learned today!" Kevin said, his voice filled with excitement as he jumped onto the bed beside her. "Do you want to hear about my new friend, Tommy? He's funny! We played tag! And then—"

"Kevin, I swear..." Selena muttered, pushing herself up from the bed. But Kevin was relentless, talking about everything in the world and nothing all at once.

After a few minutes of him going on and on, Selena had had enough. "Kevin, please!" she finally snapped, throwing a pillow at him in frustration.

Before she could even think, Kevin grabbed the pillow, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, you're in for it now!" he said, and the two of them were instantly engaged in a full-fledged pillow fight.

Feathers flew, and laughter filled the room as Selena tossed pillows and Kevin retaliated with all the energy a mischievous 1st grader could muster. The tension that had built up inside her began to dissolve with every laugh and every playful hit. She forgot about her day at school, the awkwardness, the worries—it was all gone in that moment.

They finally collapsed, both of them breathless and giggling, lying side by side on the bed. Selena felt a sense of calm settle over her as Kevin continued to laugh, his innocent face the perfect distraction. Despite his endless chatter and mischief, she couldn't help but smile. In that moment, everything felt lighter.

As Selena and Kevin lay there, still giggling and catching their breath, the sound of their mom's voice echoed from downstairs. "Dinner's ready, you two! It's almost 9!"

Kevin immediately bounced up, his energy never fading. "Race you downstairs!" he shouted, already darting out of the room before Selena could even get up.

Selena smiled as she watched him run off. She was still feeling that warm sense of relief from their playful pillow fight, and the thought of food made her stomach growl. She took her time getting up, stretching, and brushing her hair out of her face before following her little brother downstairs.

When she reached the kitchen, Kevin was already sitting at the table, his face eager for the meal. Their mom, looking relieved to have them both at the table, smiled as she placed the last of the food down.

"You two seem better now," she said, her eyes soft as she glanced between them.

Selena just nodded, feeling a quiet contentment as she sat down. The laughter from earlier lingered in the air, and for the first time today, she felt like she could breathe again.

As Selena and Kevin settled at the dinner table, Kevin suddenly looked up, his small brow furrowed in confusion. "Where's Papa?" he asked, his voice sweet but curious.

Selena's mom paused for a moment, her gaze softening as she placed a plate in front of Kevin. She knew how much Kevin missed his dad, especially when he was away for work. "He's working late tonight, sweetheart," she replied gently. "He'll be home soon."

Kevin didn't seem to mind much, nodding as he dug into his food with enthusiasm. "Okay," he said, before turning his attention back to his meal.

Selena's mom gave a small, tender smile before sitting down herself. She looked at Selena for a moment, noting how her daughter seemed calmer now, the stress of the day having melted away—at least for the moment.

After dinner, the family slowly drifted off to their respective rooms. Kevin, as usual, was already half asleep by the time he reached his room, his toys scattered across the floor, his little hands clutching a stuffed bear. Selena's mom gave her a gentle hug before disappearing into her own room, leaving Selena in the quiet solitude of hers.

Selena changed into her pajamas, the day's heaviness still lingering in the back of her mind. As she sat on her bed, she gazed out the window at the night sky, the stars barely visible behind the city lights. It had been a tough day, one that felt far too long, but she needed to find peace.

Closing her eyes, she folded her hands together and whispered a silent prayer. "Please, God," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a breath. "I hope tomorrow's day will be better. Help me get through it, and give me the strength to face it."

She stayed still for a few moments, feeling a quiet sense of calm wash over her. With a deep sigh, Selena settled under her covers, the prayer lingering in her heart as she closed her eyes, hoping that when she woke up, the world would feel just a little bit lighter.