Darkness always comforted me.

Lilith Aurelia,

Darkness always comforted me. Many people feared the darkness, but I wasn't one of them. I found solace in the night, its mysterious embrace drawing me closer.

Rain poured heavily outside as I lay in bed, listening to the rhythmic patter against my window. I adored the rain, its soothing melody accompanied by distant thunder. Stirring from my slumber, I ventured onto the balcony, eager to witness nature's beauty firsthand. In that moment, conflicting emotions overwhelmed me—I felt both the happiest and saddest person in the entire world. A few whispered words escaped my lips, as though I were a renowned singer serenading the night.

The following morning, my holiday break concluded, and I rose early to attend school. In truth, I held the title of the most popular girl in the entire school. However, an inexplicable sense of loneliness enveloped me. Though everyone knew me, conversed with me, and held me in high regard, I felt a profound sense of solitude. They praised me as the epitome of cheerfulness, and I once believed it myself.

"Hi, Lilith," Kyle greeted me, a fellow classmate.

"Hello," I replied, our previous closeness now fading into distant memory.

In that moment, I lacked a best friend. No one held a special place in my heart, and I felt distant from everyone. Nevertheless, I engaged with all, and they engaged with me. I effortlessly navigated different friend groups, universally liked. But deep down, I carried an unspoken secret—I despised people while outwardly embracing happiness among them.

Mathematics proved to be my forte, consistently earning me the highest scores. I relished the art of problem-solving, considering myself a prodigious genius. My mind constantly swirled with thoughts, a perpetual storm of ideas and imaginings. Crafting intricate scenarios became a favorite pastime, allowing me to explore the depths of my creativity.

The world labeled me as cool, and I wholeheartedly embraced that perception...