Bottling it > Confronting it

So, I ran... ran as fast as my little legs could take me until I tripped over with a great deal of force. Not one of my finest moments in times of adversity if you ask me. However, I had to escape, there was no time to think. He was gaining on me and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Each part of him (at least I'm assuming it's was an him), was concealed in black to avoid their identity being exposed.

I was terrified, my body was frozen from a state of shock and then...

Reality strikes me as my heart is palpitating, my forehead is trickling with sweat, my hands are shaking and finally, my eyes spring open. It felt as if time had stopped for those moments until I found myself forced to confront the situation in front of me.

I just couldn't go on and I break down into tears. My therapist, Lydia, wrapped me in a comforting embrace as I let out all the pain consuming my being from the recollection of events from the vault of dark memories, stored deeply within. As the embrace ends, she stares at me with concern in her eyes and whispers,

"Hold on, I'm getting you glass of water".

A few seconds pass as I frantically drink.

"Better?" A hesitant Lydia asks.

I take a deep breath trying to regain some sense of composure and with the panic wearing off me I respond, " y-yeah, I guess. Thanks Lydia".

I was gripping the glass for dear life. I was afraid it would shatter in my hand so I placed it aside and shifted my focus back to Lydia.

We exchanged glances and I apologised for the lack of control over my body and outburst of emotions. She interrupted and reassured me,

"Don't be ridiculous, you have nothing to be sorry for. In fact, I am immensely proud of your progress". You should be proud."

In attempts to hide my vulnerabilities, I sarcastically responded," Aww, thanks Lyds. Your kind words warm my heart". 

Lydia rolled her eyes at me as I begin to close off "I'm being serious," Lydia said, her arms crossed, a note of firm conviction in her voice.

Blythe gave a slight shrug, a faint trace of vulnerability in her eyes. "Honestly… I gave up on therapy for a couple of years. It just felt like I was going nowhere."

Her voice softened, cracking just slightly. "I felt lost," she admitted, clutching her arms as if trying to hold herself together. "I really thought I'd be stuck in that mindset forever."

Blythe sat with her arms crossed, her gaze steady but guarded.

Lydia offered a soft shrug. "As I said, Blythe, you've been through a lot. A string of heavy, painful events—there's no denying that."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone turning more sincere. "And of course, that's taken a toll—mentally, physically. No one just bounces back from that overnight."

Her voice gentled, reassuring. "Healing… coming to terms with everything—it's never as easy as counting to three."

Lydia paused for a moment, reflecting. "When we started your assessments, it was clear. You didn't want to talk about it. You wanted to forget, to bury it all and pretend it never happened."

She stood upright again, hands resting on her hips. "But that, darling, is not how healing works."

Her voice became firmer now, yet still warm. "Dismissing your feelings won't help. You have to let yourself feel them. That's the only way through."

She softened again, offering a small smile. "But you know that now—and honestly, that's what matters most."

Lydia folded her arms, her gaze lingering with intent. "I hope I'll see you again soon. There's still a lot we need to unpack about your past."

Blythe smiled warmly, a touch of gratitude in her voice. "Yes, definitely. Thanks, Lyds."

Lydia's expression brightened. "On to better news—I hear you and Dexter start Kentdier Academy tomorrow."

A proud glint lit her eyes. "I'm so proud of you both. You've worked so hard to get here."

She gave a light laugh. "It's one of the top schools out there."

Blythe raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips. "Who are you calling kids? I'm eighteen."

She ran a hand through her hair with mock flair. "On my way to becoming a mature adult."

Lydia placed her hands on her hips, feigning exasperation. "Please. You'll be stuck on that so-called 'mature adult' platform for a while. You'll always be a kid in my eyes."

Blythe rolled her eyes dramatically. "We love a supportive mother figure."

Lydia chuckled, shaking her head.

Blythe's voice softened, her sarcasm slipping away. "But honestly, Lyds… you've always been there for me and Dexter."

She folded her arms again, this time out of comfort rather than defense. "I wasn't just another client to you. You treated me like your own daughter."

She met Lydia's eyes with quiet sincerity. "And for that… I'll always be grateful."

Lydia's breath hitched, tears welling in her eyes as she covered her face. Her shoulders trembled with a small, overwhelmed sob.

Blythe stared at her, bewildered. "Why are you crying?"

"Because," Lydia choked out, clutching her chest with emotion, "you're finally expressing your feelings. You never do that. I'm not used to this."

She wiped at her eyes, then made air quotes. "And I quote—'expressing your feelings is sappy.'"

Blythe rolled her eyes again, but a smile crept in. "Wow. I guess you're bringing out a side of me that wasn't entirely there before."

A sudden weight flickered across her face. "It scares me a little."

She paused, then burst into a quick laugh to shake off the intensity.

Lydia smirked, rolling her eyes subtly. "The level of sarcasm you just oozed says otherwise."

"Don't worry, Lyds," Blythe grinned. "I'll get there one day."

Lydia giggled. "Yeah, yeah."

"Make sure to schedule another appointment soon," she added with a warm smile.

"Of course, I will," Blythe said, rising to her feet.

"See you when I see you."

Blythe exits after exchanging goodbyes. 

Blythe glanced down, her thoughts swirling quietly. Lydia's right… But she shook the thought away. I need to focus on what's ahead—the new chapter that's finally starting.

She exhaled slowly, steadying herself. I've worked hard to get here, she reminded herself.

Then a small cough escaped her, and a faint smirk tugged at her lips. Okay… maybe Dexter pushed me a little harder than I'd like to admit.

Blythe snapped her fingers with a small grin, half amused with herself, half trying to lighten the mood.

Right then, a random passerby walked passed Blythe, catching the end of her little moment. He gave her a look—half eye-roll, half confusion—before shaking his head.

"Weirdo," he muttered under his breath, barely stopping before heading right back out the way he came.

Blythe didn't react right away. She just watched him leave, then quietly sighed, brushing her hair back.

"Anyway," she said to no one in particular, a little shrug in her voice, "it was my own merit that got me into Kentdier."

The room fell quiet again, her words lingering in the air with a subtle mix of pride and irony.

Blythe's phone lit up, the bright screen casting a soft glow in the dim room. Her fingers moved instinctively to answer, but the message that popped up on the screen was anything but casual.

"Girl. I need you. NOW!!!!"

The urgency was enough to snap Blythe out of her tired haze. She shot a text back, clearly not amused, "Brie Marie, you better be dying."

But no, Brie wasn't dying. She was just her usual dramatic self. "Umm, rude," Brie replied. And, of course, as expected—a fashion emergency? No. Tonight, it was something else.

"Meet me at mine," Brie insisted, and Blythe, despite her exhaustion, knew she'd have to cave. Because when Brie says 20 minutes, you show up. But why Brookside? Blythe could barely keep her eyes open, let alone face another night of whatever chaotic plans Brie had in store.

With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, Blythe begrudgingly made her way out the door, exhaustion pulling at every step.

"This girl is so extra," she muttered, before her footsteps faded into the night. But the clock was ticking—and the night was far from over.

End of chapter one

 It looks like sleep is the last thing Blythe will be getting tonight.

 Umm, who is Brie?

 Pretty sure you'll find out next episode.

 Until then, stay tuned for episode 2 of Illuminated Darkness.