Dancing with a stranger

Chapter |2✨

By the time I got home, it was 1:45 PM. Grace was probably at work, so the house was quiet. I tossed my gym bag by the door and made my way straight to the shower. The warm water was like a second chance to breathe—something I hadn't done much of today. The adrenaline from my workout was still buzzing in my veins, but the weight of everything else—my birthday, my past, the feeling of being stuck—settled in once I was alone with my thoughts.

The steam filled the bathroom, and I let the water rush over me, trying to clear my head. But, as always, the memories crept in. My brother, Luca, being dragged out of the house. The sound of my mother's voice, her laughter, now nothing more than a haunting echo. I pushed it down, focusing on the feel of the water instead of those memories. I couldn't let them consume me today.

I stayed under the hot spray longer than I probably should have, just to find a moment of peace. When I finally turned off the water, I wrapped myself in a towel and stepped out. I wasn't sure how to shake the weight of the day, but I knew I couldn't let it linger.

Grace was always working, but I knew she'd text me later, reminding me of whatever birthday "surprise" she'd planned for the evening. She always had something up her sleeve, always dragging me into things I didn't always want to do, but maybe it was for the best. I needed a distraction, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone again.

I got dressed quickly, slipping into some comfy clothes—a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. I dried my hair, letting the damp strands fall around my shoulders. The house was quiet. Too quiet. The silence was heavy, the kind that filled the empty spaces left behind when you couldn't even remember what used to fill them.

As I finished getting ready, my phone buzzed. It was Grace.

"You still coming to the surprise? Don't think you're getting out of it. ;)"

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Grace had this way of making everything feel like it was a big deal, even if it wasn't. I sighed, replying, "Alright, alright, I'm in. What are we doing?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out. Just get here when you can!"

I let out a laugh, shaking my head. As much as I wasn't in the mood for surprises, I couldn't help but appreciate how much she cared. I was lucky to have her in my life, even if she drove me crazy sometimes.

With a deep breath, I grabbed my keys and headed out the door. The day was far from over, but maybe, just maybe, I could find some moment of fun in whatever Grace had planned.

I plopped down on my bed, my phone in hand as I mindlessly replied to birthday messages. Most of them were from people I barely spoke to, but I didn't mind. It was just another reminder that I was still somewhat connected to the world outside my little bubble. I scrolled through Instagram, flicking through posts without really seeing them, my mind wandering.

The silence of the house felt strange, like it was waiting for something. I could hear my dad walking around downstairs—his footsteps heavy as always. Then I heard the familiar sound of the door to his study creak shut. I didn't need to guess; it was probably another round of "business" for him. I'd never ask about the specifics, not that he'd tell me anyway, but the way he shut that door always felt like a warning: don't disturb.

I tossed my phone aside, deciding it was pointless to keep scrolling through apps when my stomach started to make itself known. I was hungry—actually, I was more than hungry, I was craving something comforting. I dragged myself out of my room, heading straight for the kitchen. A quick snack was all I needed to take the edge off.

I grabbed a frozen bag of pizza rolls and threw them into the microwave, setting the timer and then pouring myself a glass of sweet tea. It felt like a small luxury, having something simple and satisfying to eat, just for me. As the microwave hummed away, I leaned against the counter and checked the time again. It was still early—just after 3 PM. It felt like the day was moving at a slow crawl.