Chapter 9- A Day Away from Reality

The weight of my reality pressed down on me like an iron cage, suffocating and inescapable. I buried my face in Jane’s shoulder, my tears soaking into the fabric of her hoodie, but she never pulled away. She just held me tighter, her hands running soothing circles along my back, whispering quiet reassurances.

“It’s okay,” she murmured, even though she didn’t understand what was wrong. “I’m here.”

The room was silent apart from my quiet sobs and Jane’s steady breathing. Outside, the sun had started its slow ascent over the mountains behind the mansion, golden light filtering through my curtains. I didn’t know how long we had been curled up on my bed, but exhaustion was settling deep in my bones.

I finally pulled back, my throat raw, my eyes swollen. “Jane, I don’t feel like going to school today. I can’t—” My voice faltered, breaking like fragile glass. “I can’t bear the thought of seeing him.”