Counting the Lost

Hayley Russo has always been strong or at least, she told herself she was. But when her best friend Olivia dies in a single, unthinkable moment, the world she knew crumbles. Now, haunted by guilt, grief, and memories she can't escape, Hayley retreats from life, sleeping on the couch, counting, tapping, and shutting everyone out even her sister Alessia, the only person who refuses to leave her alone.

At home, every sound, every object, every memory becomes a trap. The bedroom she once shared with laughter now feels like a battlefield. Alessia tries to reach her, to pull her back from the spiral but Hayley's walls are high, and her anger sharp. One wrong word, one accidental touch, and she snaps, lashing out at the world she's convinced she has no place in.

But life moves forward, whether she's ready or not. A new season, a new team, and the presence of someone who refuses to push, someone who sees the girl behind the anger and fear who slowly challenge the walls she's built. Can Hayley face the past, confront the shadows in the hallway, and find a way back to herself? Or will she let guilt and grief define every step of her future?