GrandView High

~ELEVEN💙~

NIMI'S POV

The moment I stepped into the house, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding in.

The silence was comforting. It meant that man wasn't home. The weight that had settled on my chest ever since I left the hospital loosened, just a little.

I shut the door behind me and leaned against it for a few seconds, allowing myself to fully absorb the relief of being alone. No questions. No accusations. No forced interactions. Just me.

I toed off my shoes, picked them up and climbed the stairs to my room, tossing the sweater I was wearing on the bed before sinking into the chair at my desk.

The day just began but it was already exhausting, emotionally and physically, but I wasn't ready to rest just yet. I needed a distraction. Something—anything—to stop me from spiraling back into everything that had happened.

Schoolwork. That was the best option.

Pulling out my laptop, I skimmed through the assignments I had missed. My fingers moved mechanically as I took notes, forcing myself to focus on the words on the screen rather than the chaos in my head.

But even as I worked, the thoughts kept creeping in. The hospital. The way Asher looked at me—hurt, distant, and nothing like the boy I had grown up with, nothing like my best friend. His mum's worry. The way the doctor ignored my request and told Asher's mum about the pregnancy. The way I felt—empty.

After a while, my eyes started burning from staring at the screen. I sighed and pushed my laptop away, rubbing my temples.

I glanced at the digital clock on my desk.

15:23.

Maybe I needed a different kind of escape.

My eyes wandered to my bookshelf, scanning for a familiar spine. Shatter Me. One of my favorites. The pages were worn from how many times I had read it, but right now, I needed the comfort of something I already knew.

I stood up and reached for it, but as I pulled the book out, something slipped from between the pages and fluttered to the floor.

A card.

My breath caught in my throat as I bent down to pick it up. The edges were slightly frayed, the ink still bold against the surface. The words on the front weren't important—it was what it represented that made my fingers tremble slightly as I turned it over.

A memory surged forward, unbidden.

I had just told Asher about what that man had been doing to me. The first time I had let the words slip past my lips, barely a whisper, barely real.

I had been so scared, so ashamed. But Asher had looked at me like I wasn't tainted, like I wasn't broken.

A few days later, he had given me the card.

"Just in case you ever need to get away," he had said.

It was for a group therapy—a shelter, he had called it. Somewhere safe. Somewhere I could go if things ever got too bad. I never used it. I only went there once, stood outside for a few minutes, then left.

I never went back.

Swallowing hard, I pushed the memory away and shoved the card back into the book, sliding it onto the shelf before I could think about it any longer.

My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything that day. I grabbed my phone, intending to order pizza, but at the last second, I changed my mind.

I missed running. I missed my spark. The one that was stolen from me rather cruelly.

It had been a while since I had gone for a run, and right now, I needed the release. The burn in my muscles, the rhythmic pounding of my feet against the pavement—it always helped clear my head.

Decision made, I changed into a grey long sleeve performance shirt, black tights and black running shoes not forgetting to grab my headphones before stepping outside.

The estate was quiet with a few cars driving past, the air crisp with the evening breeze. I started at a slow pace, letting MY body adjust before gradually picking up speed.

The world blurred past me, the steady rhythm of my breathing drowning out the thoughts I didn't want to entertain.

By the time I reached the pizza place, sweat clung to my skin, and my heart was pounding—but I felt lighter. More in control.

I stepped inside and placed my order, a medium classic cheese, pulling out my card to pay. I tapped it against the machine.

Declined.

I frowned and tried again.

Declined.

My stomach tightened. I knew there was money in my account, but I also knew my uncle had access to it. And he wasn't above taking it whenever he felt like it.

I really needed to open another account because I can't remove his access until I turned 18. Which isn't for another 2 years.

I made a mental note to go to the bank whenever I was free.

I exhaled sharply, already deciding to walk away, when a voice spoke from behind me.

"I got it."

I froze.

Turning my head slightly, I saw Asher standing behind me, his face unreadable as he handed his card to the cashier. The transaction went through in seconds.

I swallowed. "You didn't have to do that."

He didn't respond.

The silence stretched, awkward and unfamiliar. I shifted on my feet, unsure if I should say more or just leave.

In the end, I simply muttered, "Thanks," and moved to sit at one of the booths to wait for my order.

I wasn't expecting him to follow.

But a few moments later, he slid into the seat across from me.

"How are you?" he asked.

I blinked at him, surprised that he was even speaking to me. "I'm fine," I answered cautiously.

Silence.

It stretched between them, thick with everything unsaid. He wasn't looking at her, just staring at the table like he was waiting for something. But I had no idea what.

When my order number was called, I took it as my cue to leave. "Goodnight, Asher."

I grabbed the pizza box from the counter and walked towards the door.

But then I stopped.

My fingers tightened around the box, and I took a breath.

I had spent so long running from the truth, hiding things from him—things he had every right to know. And yet, despite everything, despite how much i had hurt him, he was still here.

Still looking out for me.

Slowly, I turned back around.

"Asher," I said.

He looked up, his expression blank.

I swallowed. "Um.....I think....I'm ready to tell you. Everything."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whew! I really am on a roll

Well...you know Please look at that little star and tap on it to see a magic trick😗

Yours Truly,

TheAuthorOfThisBook💙🩰