The gym was full of noise as the basketball game reached its final moment. Eliss Greyson, standing tall at six feet, was the center of everyone's attention. His lean, athletic body moved like a pro. His six-pack muscles flexed as he jumped high, throwing the ball straight into the basket. The ball made a perfect swish sound, and the crowd exploded in cheers.)
(Girls on the side screamed, "E.G.! E.G.!" Some even blushed, whispering to each other. His sharp jawline and cheekbones made him look older than his age. Sweat dripped down his face, shining under the gym lights. His messy dark hair stuck to his forehead, and his amber eyes were focused and intense, making hearts skip a beat. He was the kind of guy that made you fall for him without even trying.)
(On the other side of the court, Ryle Collen stood with a scowl. His broad shoulders heaved as he glared at Eliss. He had tried to block the shot but failed miserably, and now the loss stung like salt on a wound. Ryle's fists tightened as he stomped off the court, muttering something under his breath. Their fathers might be business rivals, but the competition between Eliss and Ryle went far deeper than that. This was personal.)
(Eliss didn't even glance at Ryle as he grabbed his water bottle and walked toward the bleachers where Tom Creten sat, smirking. Tom threw a basketball up and caught it casually.)
Tom *(grinning): "You do know Ryle's going to lose it, right? That shot just crushed him."
Eliss (smirking, throwing his towel over Tom's head): "Not my problem."
Tom *(laughing, pulling the towel off): "Man, you have no idea how much this rivalry entertains me. The Collen boy is going to cry to his daddy about this one."
Eliss *(shrugging): "He should be used to losing by now."
(Meanwhile, Ryle stormed off the court, throwing a glare toward Eliss before disappearing into the locker room. The tension was thick, but Eliss seemed completely unfazed.)
Tom *(grinning again): "Anyway, party tonight. Out of town. Let's go!"
Eliss *(raising an eyebrow): "You're still on that?"
Tom: "It's our last year, man. One night won't kill you. Plus, you can show up, look hot, and make Ryle jealous again. Perfect plan, don't you think?"
Eliss *(chuckling lightly): "Fine. But if it's boring or Ryle's there, I'm out."
(Tom laughed as they left the gym together. The sound of cheers still echoed behind them, while Ryle's anger simmered in the shadows, waiting for another chance to strike.)
____________________
(The Greyson estate was like something out of a dream—walls of glass reflecting the endless ocean. From Eliss's room, you could see it all: waves crashing on the rocky shore, the perfect green of the private golf course, and the lineup of luxury cars sparkling in the driveway. It was all picture-perfect, but to Eliss, it felt cold. Empty.
(His dad, Alexander Greyson, stood on the golf course, swinging his club like he didn't have a care in the world. Even from here, you could see how calm and collected he was, like nothing ever got to him. But Eliss knew better.)
(Inside, Eliss found his dad in the living room, flipping through some business papers like always. Alexander barely looked up when Eliss walked in.)
Alexander (glancing up briefly): "You're home early. Done with practice?"
Eliss (leaning against the doorframe): "Yeah. We won."
(Alexander nodded like it wasn't a big deal. No 'good job' or 'I'm proud of you.' Just a nod.)
Alexander: "Good."
(Eliss's jaw tightened. He turned toward the glass wall, watching the ocean outside.)
Eliss (his voice sharp): "That's it? Just 'good'? You ever plan on actually saying something, or am I supposed to guess what you're thinking?"
(Alexander set his papers down, his tone cool but softer than before.)
Alexander: "Eliss, it's not always about what's said."
Eliss (turning to face him, his frustration bubbling over): "No, it's about what's not said. Like why Mom left. Or why you let her leave. You act like I don't deserve to know."
(For a second, Alexander's calm slipped. He looked down at the glass of water in his hand, his grip tightening.)
Alexander (quietly): "It's... complicated."
Eliss (his voice rising): "That's your answer for everything. Complicated."
(Alexander stood, walking toward the window. He stared out at the ocean, his back to Eliss. His voice was quieter now, almost like he was talking to himself.)
Alexander: "I didn't want her to leave. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. But sometimes... you have to let go of the things you love."
(Eliss froze. He wasn't expecting that. For a second, he almost felt sorry for his dad. But then anger took over again.)
Eliss (shaking his head): "You could've fought for her. But you didn't. Instead, you chose all this—your business, your perfect life."
(Alexander turned to look at him, guilt flickering in his eyes.)
Alexander: "I did what I thought was best for you. For all of us."
Eliss (his voice trembling): "You mean what was best for you."
(He didn't wait for an answer. Eliss turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy as he climbed the stairs. Alexander stayed behind, staring out at the waves. For a moment, it looked like he might call out to his son, say something to make it right. But he didn't. He just stood there, silent, as the ocean rolled on.)
____________________________
(Eliss stormed out of the house, barely stopping to grab his jacket. The cool evening air hit his face as he headed toward the chopper. He needed to get out—away from the glass walls, the perfect ocean view, and the suffocating silence of his father's world. Sliding into the pilot's seat, he fired up the engine. The loud roar of the blades was like a shield, drowning out everything else.)
(The chopper landed smoothly on the patchy grass behind the old house. Eliss cut the engine and sat still for a moment, gripping the controls as the blades slowed. This place, his childhood home, was a world away from the cold, glass mansion he had left behind. Here, it was quiet. Real. And full of the memories he both cherished and dreaded.)
(He stepped out, the crisp night air stinging his face as he took in the old house. It looked smaller than he remembered, the peeling paint and sagging roof speaking of years of neglect. But to him, it was more than just a house—it was the last place he'd felt his mom's warmth. It was where she had left the letters, the only pieces of her he had left.)
(Eliss climbed the creaking steps and opened the door. The inside smelled of dust and time, but he didn't hesitate. He knew exactly where to go. The box was still there, tucked under the side table where his younger self had hidden it years ago. He pulled it out carefully, like it was something fragile.)
(Sitting on the floor with his back against the old couch, Eliss untied the faded ribbon. The stack of letters looked smaller now, the paper brittle at the edges. He traced his fingers over his name on the top envelope, written in his mom's familiar, looping handwriting. A lump rose in his throat as he unfolded the first letter.)
Dear Eliss,
If you're reading this, it means you came back. It means you remembered me, and that's all I've ever wanted. I'm sorry I left, and I know you might hate me for it. But please know this: I never stopped loving you. I couldn't stay, but that doesn't mean you weren't my whole world. You always will be.
I hope you've grown into someone strong, someone kind. And I hope you forgive me one day. Not for me, but for you. Because you deserve to be free of this pain.
Love always,
Mom
(His throat tightened as he folded the letter and placed it back in the box. His chest felt heavy, like he was carrying all the pain she had left behind. He read another letter, then another, until the words blurred through his tears. He didn't wipe them away. He didn't care. This was the only way he felt close to her anymore, and he wasn't ready to let go.)
(Leaning back against the couch, Eliss closed his eyes, the letters resting on his chest. He could almost hear her voice, soft and full of love, telling him it would all be okay. But it wasn't okay. It hadn't been okay for a long time.)
(The exhaustion of it all—the memories, the emotions—pulled at him, and before he knew it, the world around him faded to black. He fainted there on the floor, surrounded by the only connection he had left to his mother.)
(When Eliss woke up, the sunlight was streaming through the broken windows. His head ached, and his body felt stiff, but he didn't move. He stared at the letters scattered around him, the ache in his chest sharper than ever. Slowly, he gathered them up, tying the ribbon back around the box. It was all he had left of her, and he put the box in the same place).
(Standing in the doorway, Eliss looked back at the house. It was falling apart, but it still felt like home. With a deep breath, he stepped outside.The chopper waited, but he lingered for a moment, staring at the house as memories swirled in his mind.)
("I'll never forget you," he whispered. It wasn't a promise to the house. It was a promise to her.)
(As the chopper lifted off, Eliss looked down at the house one last time. The pain in his chest was still there, but so was something else—a flicker of warmth. She hadn't been here in years, but she'd never really left. And for the first time in a long time, that thought made him feel less alone.)