Silent Scars

CHAPTER 49

Emily's voice barely registered as Ariana walked past her, completely unaware of her presence. The numbness still clung to her, thick and suffocating. Her mind drifted in a haze, the world around her muted, distant. She kept walking, not knowing where she was going, only that she needed to keep moving.

Then, suddenly, a gentle pull on her wrist. A shift to the side. She startled, her breath catching as she was guided into a quieter part of the hallway, away from prying eyes. Her body tensed, ready for something, anything.

But then she saw who it was.

Kendric.

Relief washed over her like a wave, loosening the knot in her chest. He was looking around, checking to see if anyone had noticed before his gaze settled on her. His brows furrowed, his lips pressing into a tight line as he studied her face.

Her eyes.

Lifeless.

He cupped her face, his warm hands grounding her, his thumbs brushing lightly against her skin.

"Are you alright?"

His voice was softer than usual, tinged with concern.

Ariana wanted to shake her head. Wanted to tell him she wasn't okay. That she was barely holding herself together, that the weight of the day was crushing her, suffocating her. But the words never came.

She nodded.

Kendric's eyes searched hers, not believing her for a second.

"Ria."

He pressed.

"Are you sure?"

Another nod.

He sighed but didn't let go.

"I have soccer practice today at four."

He said, watching her closely.

"I'll be late getting home. Will you wait for me for dinner?"

Ariana hesitated before giving another small nod.

Kendric gave a small, tired smile, running a hand through his already messy hair. 

"Good. I wanted to make sure you knew."

She noticed the slight rise and fall of his chest, the way he was still catching his breath. When she looked at the clock, it was past four. 

Guilt crept into her

𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦.

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵.

𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴.

She gently pulled away from his hands and reached for her notepad.

"I'm really alright. Don't be late for practice. Go fast."

She forced a small smile as she handed it to him, but it never reached her eyes.

Kendric's frown deepened, but before he could protest, she gave him a gentle push and waved him off. He hesitated, but with a reluctant sigh, he jogged away, looking back once before disappearing.

The moment he was out of sight, her smile vanished.

Her ears started ringing. Her mother's voice came crashing down on her.

Worthless.

A sharp pang stabbed through her chest. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to move, to walk out of the school.