Chapter 2
September 26, 2040 - Later That Day
Azalea took a deep breath as she entered the bustling restaurant, hoping her ex's presence wouldn't derail her shift. She could handle rude customers, even bosses who seemed impossible to please-but Liam? That was different.
Liam's gaze fell on her the moment she walked through the door. Tall and confident, with an easy smile that had once charmed her, he now felt more like a ghost she'd rather avoid. She ignored him, walking to the counter to check in with Lisa, her manager.
"Hey, Azalea, we're a little short-staffed today, so I'll need you to cover some tables out front," Lisa said, glancing up from the computer with an apologetic smile.
"Got it, no problem." She forced a smile, glancing around to get a sense of which tables were occupied.
As she moved through the restaurant, her eyes flickered to Liam at the back corner table. He was leaning in close to another girl, whispering something that made the girl laugh, her eyes alight with interest. Azalea felt a pang in her chest but brushed it off. Old news, she reminded herself. She didn't care.
Or, at least, she'd keep pretending she didn't.
She straightened up and made her way over to a family of four seated nearby. "Good evening! Is there anything I can get you while you're looking over the menu?"
After taking their drink orders, she noticed Liam approaching her section. A chill ran down her spine. She could feel his eyes on her, even as she tried to focus on her work.
"Aza," he said quietly when he was close enough to hear. His voice was low, familiar, and full of that old charisma she'd once fallen for.
She didn't look at him. "I'm busy, Liam. Go back to your table."
"Come on, it's been months. We were friends first, remember? Can't we at least talk?"
"Talking usually involves two people who care about each other. I've got tables to attend to," she replied, her tone sharper than she intended. Before he could respond, she moved off to grab another order.
As her shift continued, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every time she glanced back, she caught Liam's eyes following her. He wasn't causing a scene, but his presence was like a shadow she couldn't escape.
Finally, after hours of avoiding him, she clocked out, threw on her jacket, and headed for the exit. Just as she reached the door, she felt a hand on her arm.
"Aza, wait," Liam's voice was low, almost pleading.
She whipped around, her eyes blazing. "What do you want, Liam?"
"I just wanted to say... I'm sorry. For everything." He hesitated, searching her face. "I know I messed up. I hurt you, but I miss us. Can't we at least try to be friends?"
Azalea scoffed. "Friends? With you? Liam, you destroyed my trust, and now you want me to just pretend that didn't happen?"
He opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off, the weight of her anger and sadness pouring out. "You've got no idea what you did to me. I don't have time for this, Liam. I'm done." She yanked her arm free and walked out into the cool evening air.
Azalea's head was buzzing as she drove home. She blasted music, hoping it would drown out her thoughts. Liam was her past. She had plans, goals, and family to think about. She didn't need him dragging her back down.
But as she pulled into her driveway, an odd sensation prickled at the back of her mind. It was faint, like a soft voice whispering just out of earshot. She dismissed it, chalking it up to the stress of seeing Liam again.
After a quiet dinner with her family, she slipped into bed, exhausted. She hadn't been asleep long when a strange dream overtook her.
In her dream, she was alone in an endless void, surrounded by shifting shadows. There was a presence with her-something powerful and ancient, lurking just beyond the edge of her vision.
Azalea, it whispered, a voice that seemed to echo through her bones. You have more strength than you know.
She looked around, but the darkness seemed to press in on her, thick and heavy. "Who's there?"
The shadows parted, revealing a figure cloaked in darkness. Its form was fluid, constantly shifting and rearranging itself, as though it were made from living smoke.
Your time is coming, Azalea, the figure murmured. Power like yours can't be ignored. But beware... control it, or it will consume you.
She felt a surge of fear mixed with excitement, as though some part of her had always known this truth, waiting just beneath the surface.
The figure moved closer, and Azalea's heart raced. "What do you mean? What power?"
The kind that changes everything, it replied, its voice a low rumble that seemed to pulse through the dreamscape. You are not meant to be ordinary.
With that, the figure began to fade, the darkness swirling around her, pulling her down. She tried to reach out, but her hand went through the shadows.
Azalea jolted awake, her heart pounding. The room was dark and silent, her alarm clock blinking with its usual glow. But the dream had felt so real, so intense.
As she lay there, catching her breath, a strange thought crossed her mind. What if that dream was more than just her subconscious? What if there was something within her waiting to be unlocked?
She shook her head, pushing the thought away. Get it together, Azalea. It was just a dream.
But deep down, she knew that was a lie. The feeling lingered, a whisper in her mind, promising that everything was about to change.
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Posted a picture of our protagonist family!!