Fractured Reflections

Amara barely noticed the rising sun as its soft, golden light spilled into the room. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands. Ethan's words from the night before lingered in the air like smoke: You can't lie to yourself forever.

It wasn't the first time someone had looked at her like that—with suspicion, as though her carefully constructed facade was cracking. But Ethan's gaze was different. Sharper. It wasn't just idle curiosity; it was a silent promise that he wouldn't let this go.

Amara sighed, rubbing at her temples. She hadn't slept, too haunted by the weight of everything—Adelaide's life pressing down on her, the lies she had to maintain, the constant fear of discovery. Even now, her body ached with exhaustion, but her mind wouldn't quiet.

Her parents hadn't returned home, not that she expected them to. They trusted her to maintain the illusion, but it was getting harder every day. Every interaction with Lucas, Claire, and now Ethan felt like stepping into quicksand.

The phone buzzed on the nightstand, startling her. She grabbed it, her heart sinking when she saw Lucas's name.

"We need to talk. Come outside."

Her chest tightened. Why was he here?

She peeked out the window and saw his car parked in the driveway, the engine still running. He wasn't the type to wait long, and she knew ignoring him would only make things worse. Reluctantly, she grabbed a jacket and slipped downstairs, her footsteps light against the hardwood floor.

---

Lucas was leaning against his car when she opened the front door. His posture was casual, but his expression was anything but. There was a tension in his jaw, a hardness in his eyes that made her stomach churn.

"Morning," he said, his voice flat.

"Lucas, what are you doing here?" Amara asked, keeping her tone steady.

"You didn't answer my texts."

"I've been busy."

He scoffed, crossing his arms. "Too busy to talk to me? Really, Adelaide?"

Amara flinched at the name. Every time he said it, it felt like a reminder of the lie she was living. She hugged the jacket tighter around herself, trying to maintain composure. "I don't have time for this right now," she said.

"Make time," Lucas snapped, his voice sharper now. He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "You've been acting weird lately. Distant. What's going on?"

"Nothing's going on," Amara said quickly.

"Don't lie to me," he said, his tone low and dangerous. "You think I don't notice? You're different, Adelaide. And not in a good way."

Amara's pulse quickened. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.

Lucas shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know what's going on with you, but I'm not gonna stand here and watch you push me away."

"I'm not pushing you away," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then prove it."

She froze, unsure of what to say. Lucas stared at her for a long moment before letting out a bitter laugh. "You know what? Forget it. Call me when you're ready to stop acting like a stranger."

He climbed back into his car and drove off, leaving Amara standing alone in the driveway.

---

The day dragged on in a haze. Amara couldn't focus on anything. Lucas's accusations, Ethan's questions, the pressure from her parents—all of it weighed heavily on her.

By the time night fell, she felt like she was suffocating. She needed air, needed to escape the confines of the house.

Grabbing her jacket, she slipped out the back door and wandered down the quiet streets. The cool night air stung her cheeks, but she welcomed the sensation. It was better than the numbness that had taken hold of her lately.

She wasn't sure where she was going until she found herself at the park. It was nearly empty, save for a lone figure sitting on one of the benches. Her heart sank when she recognized him.

Ethan.

He was leaning back, a cigarette dangling between his fingers, the ember glowing faintly in the dark.

"You lost?" he asked without looking up.

"No," Amara said, her voice sharper than she intended.

Ethan glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Same to you," she shot back, crossing her arms.

He smirked, taking a drag of his cigarette. "Touché."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence stretched between them, heavy and tense. Amara shifted uncomfortably, unsure of why she hadn't walked away yet.

Ethan finally broke the silence. "You know, you're not as good at pretending as you think you are."

Her chest tightened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Just an observation."

Amara clenched her fists, the urge to lash out rising in her chest. But she couldn't afford to lose control. Not here. Not with him.

"You don't know anything about me," she said through gritted teeth.

Ethan's gaze sharpened. "Maybe not. But I know when someone's hiding something."

Her breath hitched, but she quickly masked it with a glare. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"

He chuckled softly, the sound low and mocking. "I don't have to be clever to see it, Adelaide."

The name hit her like a slap. She turned away, her hands trembling.

Ethan's voice softened, though the edge never fully left it. "Whatever it is you're hiding, it's gonna catch up to you eventually. Secrets have a way of doing that."

Amara didn't respond. She couldn't. The truth was too close, too dangerous.

---

When she finally returned home, the house was dark and silent. Her parents still weren't back, and for once, she was grateful for their absence.

She climbed the stairs and entered Adelaide's room, closing the door behind her. Her gaze fell on the hidden canvas under the bed. The urge to paint tugged at her, but she resisted.

Instead, she sank onto the bed, burying her face in her hands.

She couldn't keep doing this. The walls were closing in, and every lie she told felt like another nail in her coffin.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her from her thoughts. She grabbed it, her heart sinking when she saw the message.

Lucas again.

"I'm sorry about earlier. Can we talk tomorrow?"

She stared at the words, her chest tightening. She didn't know if she had the strength to face him again.

The phone buzzed again. Another message, this time from Ethan.

"You okay? Looked like you needed to scream back there."

A bitter laugh escaped her. He wasn't wrong. She did need to scream, to let out the frustration and fear that had been building inside her for weeks. But she couldn't. Not yet.

Instead, she turned off the phone and lay down, staring at the ceiling.

Tomorrow would come too soon. And with it, more questions, more lies, more cracks in the facade.

Amara closed her eyes, trying to quiet her racing thoughts. But sleep wouldn't come. It never did.

---