Enemy Basis | COMPLETE

52| no longer enemies

Weeks had flown by, and never in my life had I felt more content, freer, or more grateful. I'd spent this time reconnecting with my friends and, most importantly, getting to know my dad. We spent so much time together, and I discovered his secret love for movie nights. We worked our way through his favourites: rom-coms, which he'd never admit to enjoying, films with horses - for some inexplicable reason, and detective shows of all kinds. Everything was so sweet with him, and I realized I'd never expected to feel such a connection with my father. It just went to show that patience was a virtue, and that everything would work out in the end.

It honestly felt like I had two dads. Tay was another present in my life - I made it my mission to see him more. He had given me so much when I was younger and there was this connection there that was unmistakable. I had gone to a couple fight nights, chilled with him and his friends and helped him with some business things that he was too proud to ask for.

Also, a new group had formed between my friends. We all spent time together—Lennox, Dorran, Marcelo, Archer, Reed, Maia, and I. It was an unlikely group, but it worked. With each passing day, my friends felt more and more like family, and I'd never felt so whole or loved.

And Dorran... I spent every waking minute with him. I wasn't sure if it was the honeymoon phase, but I loved being around him. He was strong, funny, considerate, sexy and above all, he had helped me more than he knew, an immeasurable gift I could never repay. In the dark hours after my nightmare, his arms were my sanctuary, his voice a lullaby. He painted my world with love and admiration. Life with him was a sweet dream.

I still had nightmares that plagued me, forcing me to wake up in a cold sweat. I still felt guilty at times for the things I'd done to people who once meant a lot to me, and there were still times I felt inexplicably miserable. But that was normal—I was on the road to recovery, and of course, there would be bumps along the way.

A new level of appreciation bloomed inside me. I valued things in life so much more than before. I could see the beauty, the worth, and it was all because of them.

I currently stood in the changing room of the East Bridge school's field, staring into the mirror as I finally buttoned up the last button on my East Bridge dance outfit. The short and tight purple dress accentuated my slight curves and the colour nicely contrasted against my green eyes but that wasn't what held my attention.

The dress was designed in a unique shape that covered my chest and upper thighs but there was a gap at the waist that highlighted the new scar that decorated my body. It was small but the darkened colour greatly stood out against my pale skin and it was visible to anyone who was close enough to see but oddly enough, I liked it.

To me, it was a reminder of what I went through but most importantly, pulled through to come out on the other side. It made me feel strong and confident and for that, I was grateful. With one last look at the scar, I lifted my gaze to my reflection.

I didn't know if I was imagining it but although they were no differences to my physical appearance, something had changed. My eyes were greener, more vibrant. My brown hair was less limp and more energised and my body stood taller, more confident. There was no doubt about it. I was... happier.

"It's time, Darcy," The coach announced, surprising me. I hadn't heard her come in and yet she was standing there, pride shining in her eyes as she looked at me.

I nodded, letting her know that I heard her and she sent me a warm smile and then left. She was right. It was time. I clenched my fists and breathed in deeply, trying to gather my wits.

With one last look into the mirror, my eyes seemed to have given me the last push to get out there and to have this done. I nodded to myself and then without thinking about how important this was, I left the changing room to walk in the corridor that would lead outside.