the rain pounded hard against the windshield, each drop like a glass dagger piercing the car. the sound was deafening, and the vehicle's sway on the wet curves made my stomach churn. i held my mother's hand tightly, my eyes wide, seeking some comfort in her reassurance.
— it's going to be okay, darling — she said, her voice trying to sound calm but with a tremor that betrayed her tension.
i looked at her, and our gray eyes met for a brief moment.
that was when everything fell apart. a flash of light exploded on the horizon, blinding, followed by a brutal impact that sent the car spinning chaotically. the sound of twisting metal and shattering glass seemed to come from all directions. i screamed, but the sound got stuck in my throat. everything spun. the world seemed to collapse.
everything felt like it was moving in slow motion, as if time had decided to toy with me.
when the car finally stopped, the silence was as crushing as the chaos. i blinked, trying to adjust my vision, and saw my mother beside me. her face was covered in blood, her lips moving as if trying to say something, but all i could hear was a loud ringing in my ears.
her eyes met mine, filled with pain and despair, but also something else: a silent plea. even as her breath stopped and her eyes grew glassy, she kept staring at me, as if wanting me to never forget that moment. those seconds felt like an eternity until the ambulance lights illuminated the scene.
i woke up with a start, my heart pounding erratically. my hands trembled as i tried to shake off the images of the nightmare that, even after ten years, continued to haunt me.
cold sweat dripped down my forehead as i looked at the clock beside the bed, blinking 6:30. with a deep sigh, i got up, determined to face another day.
in the bathroom, i splashed cold water on my face, trying to pull myself together. my black hair, still wet, fell messily over my face, highlighting my gray eyes. they looked emptier than ever, as if a piece of me was taken away every day. i took a deep breath, trying to push away the heaviness in my chest.
— another day... — i thought, before finishing getting ready and heading down to the kitchen.
there, i found my grandparents. they weren't my biological grandparents, but they adopted me after the accident. since then, they had done everything for me. i owe them my life, and i want, one day, to repay everything they've done.
— did you sleep well, zephyr? — my grandmother asked, giving me a concerned look while preparing breakfast.
— more or less, — i replied, trying to avoid more questions. i grabbed a piece of toast and muttered a thank you before heading out the door.
on the way to school, i spotted evander. he was leaning against a lamppost, fiddling with his phone, his blonde hair gleaming under the morning sun. when he saw me, he smiled, the kind of smile that seemed to make everything around lighter, and put his phone in his pocket.
— hey, zeph! did you sleep well? — he asked, noticing my tired expression.
— nightmares again, — i replied, shrugging as if it was nothing.
evander nodded, understanding without needing further explanation. he always got it.
— we have a math test today, remember? — he said, running a hand through his hair in his usual carefree manner.
— how could i forget? — i replied, rolling my eyes. he laughed, and we headed to school together.
when we arrived at school, all eyes immediately turned to evander. he was always the center of attention.
his parents were filthy rich, but he never let it get to his head. despite his laid-back demeanor, he worked hard to get good grades, though he rarely showed that side. of course, that didn't stop a group of girls from flocking around him the moment he walked in.
after all, he had it all—wealth, charisma, and a natural confidence. the girls swarmed around him like bees to honey, and he, oblivious, disarmed them with his almost naive kindness.
— hi, evander, — one of them said, playing with her hair suggestively. — can you give me some tips on what might be on the math test?
evander scratched his head, looking genuinely confused. — oh, i have no idea what might come up, — he replied, trying to explain.
— so... you didn't prepare for the test? — she asked, somewhat awkwardly.
— oh, that... i just studied the basics like everyone else, — he replied, looking directly into her eyes, which seemed to falter under the bright green of his.
— i see... — she said, growing bolder. — so... maybe we could study together?
— i can't. i already study with zeph, — he replied casually, throwing an arm over my shoulders.
i almost laughed at the situation. — this idiot doesn't even realize she's flirting with him, — i thought, incredulous at my friend's social obliviousness.
the girl shot me a disdainful look, sizing me up.
— your friend can come too, — she said.
— i'll think about it, — evander replied, quickly pulling me away.
— hey! i wasn't done talking! — she shouted after us, but evander didn't even turn around.
— don't you think that girl was a bit weird? — he asked, glancing back.
— seriously, you didn't notice she was flirting with you? — i said, placing a hand on my forehead in disbelief.
— of course not! she wasn't flirting with me; she just wanted help with the test, — he replied, looking genuinely clueless.
i sighed, placing a hand on my forehead. — i don't even know why i keep trying to explain these things to you.
— you have to warn me beforehand! otherwise, i'll end up alone and stuck, — he said, raising his index fingers and spreading them apart to illustrate his imaginary loneliness.
— i can't embarrass the girls like that, — i said, trying to be obvious.
— then why aren't they more direct? — he asked, as if it were simple.
— it's not easy to tell someone you like them, — i murmured, feeling a tightness in my chest.
evander looked at me sideways, curious. — you sounded like you like someone. who's the lucky one? — he asked, nudging me with his elbow.
— it's nothing like that. i don't like anyone, — i replied, laughing awkwardly.
he frowned, thoughtful. — now that i think about it, you've never liked anyone.
— look who's talking. as far as i know, you've never liked anyone either, — i retorted with a teasing smile.
he pouted, puffing out his cheeks.
— this time, you win.
— not just this time. always, — i replied as we entered the classroom and sat down.
— at least i won't be single alone, — evander said proudly, arranging his backpack.
— who said i won't find someone? i'm not as clueless as you, — i replied with a mischievous smile, watching his reaction.
— what a terrible friend, — he retorted, crossing his arms and pouting like a child.
— besides, she wasn't the girl for you anyway, — i said, trying to reassure him.