Midnight Dream – Chapter 8
The time was finally here.
The family event my sister begged me to come to.
It wasn't my first choice to show up, but I could hear it in her voice over the phone. It meant something to her.
And maybe...
it was time to try.
I gathered myself, packed my bag, and headed back to the place I once called home.
I was nervous.
Not the kind you can hide either.
The kind that sits in your chest and makes everything feel heavier.
I wasn't staying at Mama's house.
No.
I got a hotel twenty minutes away from the community.
Far enough to breathe.
Far enough to think.
Far enough to remind myself...
I'm not that girl anymore.
The time crept up faster than I expected.
Getting ready felt harder than it should've been.
My hands were shaking.
I couldn't even curl my hair properly.
Nothing was coming out right.
Anxiety started creeping in...
like a thief in the night.
I had to stop.
Take a breath.
"He can't get you anymore, Midnight," I whispered to myself. "You're protected. You're covered. You got this."
I stood there for a second.
Just breathing.
Then I looked in the mirror.
"You'll be okay," I said softly.
Even if I didn't fully believe it.
I grabbed my things and walked out.
On my way there, my phone rang.
Moonlight.
"Hello?" I said.
"Where are you?" she asked quickly.
"I'm on my way. I'm almost there."
"Okay, hurry," she said, then hung up.
Same as always.
I pulled into the parking lot, looking for a spot.
And that's when I saw them.
Mama.
Her in-laws.
Walking into the building like everything in life was perfect.
I rolled my eyes.
"Let the show begin," I muttered.
I stepped out of the car.
And that's when I saw him.
Standing there.
In a full tux.
Like he belonged.
Like he had every right to be there.
My heart stopped.
Not skipped.
Stopped.
My body went cold.
My legs felt like they gave up on me.
I couldn't move.
Not forward.
Not back.
Nothing.
For a second...
I was right back there.
I shouldn't have come.
The moment I saw him...
I felt it.
That same feeling I thought I left behind.
It never left me.
It was just waiting.
"Get it together," I told myself. "You're not that girl anymore."
I forced myself to breathe.
Forced myself to move.
And I walked inside.
My sister was right at the doorway waiting for me.
"I'm so glad you came, Dream," she said, pulling me in.
She walked me over to everyone.
"You remember Sorrows," she said.
He stepped forward and hugged me.
"Well, isn't this the reunion I've been waiting for," he said.
I stiffened.
"You know my husband and his family," she added.
Of course I did.
I felt lightheaded.
Like the room was spinning.
"I... I need to sit down for a second," I said.
She rushed to grab a chair.
"I'll get you some water," she said, hurrying off.
And just like that...
I was surrounded.
By people who had no idea...
what I was carrying.
I tried to stay calm.
I tried to keep it together.
But looking at him...
standing there like nothing ever happened...
like he didn't take pieces of me with him...
made something inside me start to break.
And I knew...
this night wasn't going to end quietly.