The walls are closing in on me.
I pace the length of my childhood bedroom, running my fingers along the faded pink wallpaper. My heartbeat throbs in my ears, nearly drowning out the muffled shouts from downstairs. I press my forehead against the cool glass of the window, peering out at the quiet street below. A gentle breeze ruffles the leaves of the big oak tree in our front yard, its branches stretching toward the open sky. How I wish I could escape out that window, climb down the tree, and run until my legs give out.
But the window is locked shut. Just like me.
I sink down onto the edge of the bed, the old springs creaking beneath me. I clutch my old, worn teddy bear on my lap, taking comfort in its familiar softness. Its black button eyes stare back at me, void of judgment or condemnation. If only my parents could be so kind. I try to remind myself that this is ridiculous; I'm more than an adult, and Sadie can't just keep me locked in my bedroom for the rest of my life. Yet, here I am, terrified to confront her, scared to speak my own truth. Right now, I don't even know who I am anymore. The frightened little girl with the dead mother and controlling step-monster, I guess.
My dad and Sadie's angry voices drift up through the floorboards, the words indistinct but their tone unmistakable. Disappointment. Resentment. Blame. I don't need to hear the details to know what they're arguing about.
Me. It's always about me.
I flop back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Sadie's words ring in my head, over and over again like a neverending riddle. They won't pay for college. They won't pay for anything. If I want to leave, I need to get a job and get my own place. Or, I can stay here. Under Sadie's watch. My options, it seems, are limited.
A rumbling noise outside catches my attention. I sit up, craning my neck to look out the window again. Is that...an engine? My heart leaps. I know that sound. I'd recognize the throaty purr of Mark's classic Mustang anywhere.
It's them. The guys. They came for me.
The car rolls to a stop in front of the house, its gleaming black paint seeming to absorb all the light around it. I picture the three of them inside - Theo's intense eyes, Mark's crooked grin, and Danny's gentle smile. A contrasting trio, yet connected by an unbreakable bond. Just like the one they forged with me.
The sound of their arrival sparks something within me that I thought had long burned out. Hope. It flickers inside my chest, small but determined, like a lone firefly in the night. Maybe I won't have to spend my life trapped in this room, smothered by my parents' suffocating control. Maybe my future doesn't have to be one of darkness and despair. Maybe, just maybe, freedom awaits me beyond that door. All I need is the courage to take that first step.
My childhood teddy bear smiles up at me, its black button eyes twinkling. I clutch it tight to my chest, drawing strength from its faded fur. Then I stand, legs unsteady but resolve growing.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. Then I march to the door, the old floorboards creaking beneath my feet. My heart hammers against my ribs, adrenaline surging through my veins. This is it. No more hiding, no more fear. Fuck Sadie and her rules. I'm tired of being her minion, tired of being under her control. I want out.
With a decisive twist, I turn the handle and throw open the door. The hinges squeal in protest, but I pay them no mind. I'm through waiting for permission. This is my life, and it's time I start living it.
I descend the stairs, each step resonating with purpose. The muffled sounds of my parents arguing drift up from the kitchen. Even now, they're trying to control me. But not anymore. I stride into the room, back straight, head held high. Sadie and my dad turn, their argument dying on their lips as they take in the sight of me. I see a flash of uncertainty in Sadie's eyes for the first time. She didn't expect this.
"I'm leaving," I announce, my voice trembling slightly despite my resolve. Sadie's face reddens.
"The hell you are! You'll stay right here where we can keep an eye on you."
I shake my head. "No. I'm done letting you run my life. I'm old enough to make my own choices now." I meet her glare unflinchingly. Dad steps forward, hand extended placatingly. He's been weak since mom's death, no better than an absent parent himself. He won't stand up to Sadie. And if he won't, then I will.
Someone has to.
"Sweetie, we just want what's best for you..."
"No, you want what you think is best for me," I interrupt. "But it's my life. I get to decide how to live it."
They exchange a look, and I can see them struggling to regain control of the situation. But I won't back down. Not this time. This is my stand. And I know the guys have my back.
Sadie's jaw clenches, a vein pulsing in her forehead. "If you walk out that door, don't even think about coming back. And we sure as hell won't pay for any damn dance school."
I meet her icy glare. "Keep your money. I'll make my own way." My voice comes out steady, stronger than I feel. I turn and walk out, each step heavier than the last. When the front door closes behind me, it feels like a prison gate clanging shut. The front door slams behind me with finality, the sound echoing in my ears. I stumble down the steps, gulping air into my lungs. My hands tremble. I've burned the last bridge back to everything I've ever known.
Now what?
The rumble of an engine makes me glance up. Mark's sleek black car idles at the curb, looking like freedom itself. Theo leans against the passenger door, arms crossed, face stony. Danny paces the sidewalk, spinning a cigarette between his fingers.
I freeze as they look over at me. Do they know what just happened? Have they been waiting for me this whole time?
Mark kills the engine and climbs out. His gaze sweeps over me, missing nothing. "You okay?"
I open my mouth but words fail me. I just shake my head, feeling dangerously close to tears.
Mark's eyes flash. "They hurt you?"
"No, I..." My voice hitches. "They cut me off. No more money for school—for anything."
Theo curses under his breath. Danny's jaw tightens. Mark tosses his cigarette down, crushing it under his boot.
"Damn them. You don't need their money, Faith. You've got us."
Warmth flickers in my chest. But doubt creeps in, poisoning it. They want me for the competition. If I can't go to school now, then I can't dance anymore...
Danny moves closer, tipping my chin up to meet his intense gaze. "Nothing's changed. You're still our girl."
Theo nods, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "We meant it, Faith. We want you just as you are."
My vision blurs with tears as I step forward and gently touch Theo's bruised face.
"Jesus," I say. "What happened?"
"Xander happened." Mark opens the back door, nodding for me to get in. I slide onto the middle of the worn leather seat, my limbs heavy with exhaustion. Danny takes one side of me and Theo takes the other. Mark starts the engine with a rumble and pulls away from the curb.
"Why did he do this?" I murmur, reaching for Theo's hand. With the other, I squeeze Danny's arm.
"He wants us out of the competition," Mark says from the front seat, catching my gaze in the rearview mirror. "But we're not backing down."
"What about now?" I ask. "Now that you've lost me?"
"We haven't lost you, baby." Danny reaches over and strokes my cheek with the back of his finger, his touch lingering on my skin. I swallow and close my eyes, wishing nothing had changed with school and dance. Where could I go from here? As we drive off, I stare out at the dark houses passing by—a knot forms in my stomach. I'm free from my parents' grip, but now what? I have no money, no plan. Just three guys who barely know me, yet seem ready to upend their lives for me. Can I really trust them? Hope tries to spark within me, but uncertainty smothers it. They seem so sincere, but I don't know them. Not really.
I glance at Mark in the rearview mirror again. His eyes meet mine, softening.
"It'll be alright, honey," he says gently. "We'll figure this out together."
My lips tremble into a smile. I want to believe him—believe this is the beginning of something real. But a lifetime of disappointment whispers warnings in my mind. Don't get attached. Don't rely on anyone but yourself. You'll only end up hurt. I take a shaky breath, pushing the dark thoughts away. This is my chance to start over. To find people who accept me, scars and all.
Theo reaches over and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. His rough, calloused skin against mine makes my heart skip.
"We know you're scared," he says, his gruff voice surprisingly gentle. "But we meant what we said back there. Competition or not, we want you with us."
My eyes start to sting. After years of feeling unwanted, here are three guys willing to stand by me. Expecting nothing in return. It seems too good to be true.
"Why?" I ask softly. "You barely know me. I have nothing to offer you. Not anymore."
Mark glances at me in the rearview mirror, his mouth curving into a crooked smile.
"We know enough," he says. "We've all been lost before. What matters is you're here now."
Mark nods, his fingers threading through mine. "You're one of us, Faith. However this plays out, we're in it together."