Photograph

CHAPTER ONE

"The past is nothing but a blurry image one sees in memory of a person, place, event or time. It built who you are in the present and who you'll turn into in the future."

I held onto the railings as I stared at the calm sea. The wind blew my hair as it did with my troubles. I could feel the cool wind piercing through the sides of my face and neck. My clothes were getting crinkled by the fast paced wind. It was soothing. The way I wanted my life to actually be.

"Lara, time to go." I heard my mom call.

"Be down in a minute." I replied calmly.

I pulled the sleeves of my sweater near my fingers and spared one last glance to the sea. Grabbing my sandals, I felt the smooth sand in between my toes. I took my time in returning towards the car. Thoughts flooded my mind and it was getting a little too much. I closed my eyes for a brief second and took a deep breath. I wanted to escape it but I couldn't. Instead, I let my hair fall loose on my back. It helped a bit and I continued towards the vehicle.

"Ready to go?" Mom asked and I nodded slowly. She could practically feel the anxiety within me and I could tell that she wanted to question me for a moment but she let it slip. I thanked her telepathically and went inside the car.

On the way back home, I just flicked through the radio stations, stopping when a familiar song plays and I would murmur the lyrics. Not loud enough for mom to hear. Half way through, my eyes began to get heavier as slow songs began to play. I left the radio on in one station and let myself drift off to unconsciousness.

The darkness was overpowering. I saw a small spark of red as I closed my eyes. It was nerve-wrecking. In a split second, I've gone to dreamland.

"Lara." a small voice sang to my ears. 

It was dark, quiet but the small voice I hear. I couldn't move anything.

"It's not yet over" a deeper and darker voice said. It was terrifying. Slowly something's being formed from the darkness. I saw a silhouette from afar. It was a guy. He opened up his arms and I find myself getting closer to him. 

Just as I was about a good five foot from him, he disappeared. Like my hopes of seeing him again. I recognized him. His broad shoulders, messy brown hair and green eyes. I saw him. He looked at me with the smile he used to give me. I looked for him. He was gone. Like in real life.

A shaky hand brought me back to consciousness. I came face to face with my mom's worried eyes. Her mouth in a frown. I could tell that she's quite terrified seeing me and my wide eyed gaze. My mouth ajar. She's debating whether to ask me or not. Instead, she told me, "You were weeping."

I nodded and like a blink of an eye, it was forgotten. Never to be spoken off. "We're here." she told me and I stared at the window.

The two storey cream colored house was in front of me. The grass kept neatly, the wooden door that's wide open showing off a man in his late 40's. His warm smile welcoming, his arms calm and collected.

"Hey sweetheart." my dad greeted. I offered him a weak smile and a hug. He returned the favor. 

"How was your day?" 

"Good. Can I please be excused? I need to rest." 

"Sure darling." 

I went inside but headed towards the kitchen for a bit to grab a glass of water. I heard them whispering worriedly. Trying to keep themselves as quiet as possible without me hearing but failed since they kept the door open whilst talking. I resisted the urge to eavesdrop but like them, failed.

"She was weeping." a worried female voice had said.

"She looks like it."

"What are we going to do with her?"

"Maybe she needs therapy."

"She would be mad!"

"It's for the best you know? She's been acting weirdly ever since the incident."

"It's hard for her don't you think? But maybe we should ask her first, maybe she wouldn't like being in therapy."

"But what if she does something stupid? Do we have to wait for her to actually do something reckless before signing her up for therapy?"

I left before I could hear more. I didn't want to go to therapy. It was absurd! I'm not crazy! I haven't done anything surreal.

I jogged up the stairs to my room and locked the door. I sat down at the corner of my room and hugged myself. Suddenly the room became dark and I couldn't hear anything. I could feel my head spinning annoyingly and I collapsed to the floor, darkness completely overpowering my weak body.

**

"You're gonna wake her up!" 

"Keep it down!"

"Shhh!"

"OW! What was that for?"

I could hear different voices speaking and it hurt my head. I groaned and the voices stopped. I tried to open my eyes but completely shut it as I was practically blinded by the light in front of me. Giving it one more try, I opened it again.

I came face to face with three different people besides my mom and dad in the corner. Jessa, my blonde haired friend stared at me with confusion written on her face. My black haired friend Maddy mirrors my facial expression. The infamous poker face. And James, my ever so cocky best friend since diapers.

"What happened?" I asked.

They blinked at the same time and dove in for a big bear hug.

"OH MY GOD YOU'RE ALIVE!"

"Yes dumdum I'm alive. What are you talking about!?" I asked.

"We thought we lost you forever!"

"Don't listen to this two fools! They are over acting!" James yelled immaturely.

It took me a good ten seconds to comprehend what they just said. I pushed them away and stared at them with a confused expression.

"Why would you think I'm dead? I just lost consciousness that's all. I must have been tired from the trip. It's normal." I said. Dad coughed and he immediately caught my attention. I stared at him blankly and he spared a glance at mom who mirrors a worried expression. She nodded and dad looked back at me.

"Sweetie, we signed you up for therapy."

My eyes immediately got wide and my lips opened widely that I could practically shove my fist in it.

"What!? What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine!"

"Sweetie, you've been acting strange ever since the you know what. We thought it was best if you could just give it a shot. There might be something bothering you."

"I don't want to go back to therapy! It's a living hell for me! NO!"

"You'll just have to understand that this is for the best."

"I told you we should've told her first before signing her up." My mom murmured.

"You can't just sign me up to let someone handle my problems! I could handle them myself!"

"Lara, don't do this."

"DON'T DO WHAT DAD!? I AM NOT GOING BACK TO THERAPY! THAT'S FINAL!" I grabbed the vase from the side of my bed and threw it against the mirror. For some reason I got frightened as I looked at my reflection. My bloodshot eyes, my messy hair and my angry gaze. It was terrifying.

All five heads turned towards me and I heaved a deep breath. 

"Don't try and help me. I don't need help. I'm perfectly fine." With that, I pulled the covers and went outside trying to find some peace.