𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃

40

Song:
let me love you- dj snake ft. justin beiber
slowed + reverb

LEENA

The weeks had passed by in a whirlwind, each day blending seamlessly into the next until time felt like a fleeting dream. Before I knew it, the calendar had crept forward, carrying me along with it, and now my birthday was just around the corner.

It was strange how quickly everything seemed to move-how moments I thought I had more time to savor had already slipped through my fingers.

The anticipation bubbled within me, a mixture of excitement and nostalgia as I thought about another year gone by and all the memories it had brought with it. The days had been filled with so much-laughter, growth, new experiences-but it felt as though I had barely blinked before it all raced ahead of me, leading up to this moment.

My birthday, so close now, felt like a marker of time speeding up, a reminder of just how fleeting it all could be.

March was fast approaching, bringing with it a sense of renewal and a streak of good fortune. Life seemed to be falling into place in ways that made my heart feel lighter.

Angel's dad was still seeing Lilith's mom, their connection growing stronger with each passing day, and it felt like the possibility of a blended family wasn't so far-fetched anymore. It was comforting to see his dad happy, and knowing that Angel felt the same made it even better.

It turned out that Lilith's mom had known about Angel's mother, whose name I now knew to be Evangeline.

Angel shared with me how she took the time to talk to him about it, offering her condolences and genuinely taking an interest in getting to know him better.

Her kindness had meant a lot to him, and I could tell it had made the situation feel a little less heavy for him.

Our relationship was thriving, every moment spent together weaving us closer, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for how things had turned out between us. We had found a rhythm-an easy balance between love, laughter, and understanding-that made each day feel special.

We'd visit the cemetery together, and I honestly couldn't explain how much comfort it brought me just to have him there by my side.

But perhaps what filled me with the most joy was seeing Reyna and Matt growing closer.

They had transformed into something deeper, and it was beautiful to watch. She had opened up to him in ways she hadn't before, her guard slowly lowering.

The little things spoke volumes-like when he draped his jacket over her shoulders without hesitation, or how she accepted it without a word, her smile soft with gratitude. And then there were the bigger gestures, like when he started helping her study again.

This time, there were no underlying motives or complications, just genuine care and mutual respect between them. No sneaky hookups. No hidden agendas. Just two people finding strength and comfort in each other's company.

Everything felt like it was heading in a positive direction, a peaceful momentum that gave me hope for the future. It was as if the universe had finally decided to throw some kindness our way.

My hands gripped the cold metal railing like my life depended on it, my knuckles turning white as my ice skates wobbled unsteadily beneath me.

Every glide against the slick surface felt like an invitation for disaster, and my face was twisted in a perfect picture of sheer terror. Around me, laughter and the happy shouts of other skaters filled the air as they moved effortlessly across the rink, but I wasn't feeling anything close to grace or ease.