A year had passed since Amelia and her mom relocated to New York, and she had spent most of that time studying at home, her eagerness to attend school growing with each passing day. Finally, the moment of truth had arrived, and she was preparing to take her first step into the hallowed halls of Brightway, her dream institution in the city.
Amelia's face radiated joy, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Bye, Mom," she said, her voice barely containing her enthusiasm.
Mandy smiled, her expression warm and reassuring. "Okay, bye, sweetie. Have a great day."
Amelia's heart swelled with anticipation as she made her way to school. She had always dreamed of attending Brightway, and now that dream was finally within reach. Her life in New York had been relatively normal, a far cry from the turmoil that had marked her past.
In stark contrast, Nathan's life had taken a dramatic turn. After leaving Los Angeles, he had reinvented himself, dyeing his hair a vibrant cherry red and even changing his name to Adrian. But it wasn't just his physical appearance that had changed. The once jovial and outgoing Nathan had given way to a more reserved and introverted individual, a man who spoke less and kept his emotions locked away.
Despite his cold exterior, however, Adrian still harbored the same deep-seated guilt and self-blame that had haunted him since the incident with Amelia. The memories of that night continued to torment him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was responsible for Amelia's pain. His only solace was his friendship with Jake, who had stood by him throughout the ordeal.
Jake, sensing the walls Adrian had built around himself, held out hope that someone would eventually come along and break through the barriers, revealing the true Nathan beneath. But for now, Adrian remained a mystery, a complex and troubled individual struggling to come to terms with his past.
As Amelia stepped onto the sprawling campus of Brightway, she couldn't help but feel a sense of bewilderment wash over her. The sheer size of the school was overwhelming, and she struggled to wrap her head around the maze of corridors and buildings.
Just as she was starting to feel lost, she spotted a familiar figure standing by her locker, chatting with a group of friends. It was Jennie, her long-lost friend from her previous school. Amelia's eyes widened in surprise as she rushed over to greet her.
"Jennie! Oh my gosh, is that you?" Amelia exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Jennie turned around, a look of surprise on her face, before breaking into a wide smile. "Amie! It's been so long! What are you doing here?"
Amelia's eyes sparkled as she launched into an explanation. "My mom wanted us to change locations all of a sudden, but I have a feeling she's hiding something from me."
Jennie's expression turned thoughtful. "Hmm, well, let me show you around the school. It's huge, but I'll help you get familiar with it."
As they walked through the corridors, Amelia couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. She was eager to start this new chapter of her life, but she was also anxious about making new friends and adjusting to a new environment.
Meanwhile, Adrian walked into the school, his eyes fixed on some distant point, his hands tucked deep into his pockets. He was lost in thought, his mind consumed by his own demons.
As he turned a corner, he caught sight of Amelia, laughing and chatting with Jennie by her locker. For a moment, he froze, his eyes locked onto her face. She looked exactly the same, her bright smile and sparkling eyes illuminating the dull corridor.
But as quickly as he had stopped, Adrian continued walking, his eyes fixed on the floor. Amelia, however, paused for a second, something about him feeling familiar, but she brushed it off and walked away.
Adrian, on the other hand, couldn't shake off the feeling that had washed over him. A sharp pain gripped his chest, and his vision blurred. He felt like he was transported back to that night, the memories of which still haunted him.
"Not again," he muttered to himself, his heart racing with anxiety.
Jake, who had been walking beside him, noticed his friend's distress and immediately reacted. "Adrian! Hey, look at me," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
But Adrian was beyond consolation. He ran to an empty classroom, Jake hot on his heels.
"Man, what's wrong?" Jake asked, his voice laced with concern.
Adrian's eyes were wild, his face pale. "It's her... she's here," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jake's expression turned puzzled. "Who?"
Adrian's eyes dropped, his voice cracking. "Amelia... she's here. What do I do? I keep hearing her begging me to stop," he said, covering his hair.
Jake's face twisted with worry. He knew that Adrian's breakouts were always triggered by memories of that night, and he was determined to help his friend through this difficult time.
"Focus on me and my voice, everything is going to be fine," Jake said, his voice calm and soothing. "Take your medicine," he added, handing Adrian a pill.
Adrian took the pill, and slowly but surely, he began to feel better. But as he did, he retreated into his usual cold self, a shell of the person he once was.
Jake watched him go, a mixture of sadness and frustration etched on his face. He was used to Adrian's mood swings, but it didn't make it any easier to see his friend struggling.
"When is he going to come back to his normal self?" Jake wondered, shaking his head. "This isn't the Nathan I know," he said, before turning and walking out of the classroom.