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I’m still hurting from the frowning, cruel piano teacher who stole music from me. Hurting from the pain of my mother forcing me as a child to play exactly as I was instructed, to be the prodigy she so desperately wished me to be. I’m still holding a grudge as dark and sinister as the clouds outside for the both of them. Because I was never enough, I was never going to be the golden ticket into a life they craved.
That’s when I first realized how cruel life could be. How easy it is to lose the love of my soul’s keepers.
How easy I am to discard as useless.
Liam finishes his song and spins on the bench to face the rest of the group. He avoids my eyes as he stands, taking an exaggerated bow as we all clap for him. Lanston nudges me with his elbow and murmurs, “Fucking drama king.” His voice trails off when he looks at me.
Tears still spill over my cheeks and there’s no stopping them. I haven’t cried in years… Liam playing from the heart so freely was like a bullet to the chest. No chains kept his music away from the world.
It reached me.
And I’m… sad.
It’s a feeling that’s as painful as it is freeing. When I’m emotionally detached, everything is easier, because nothing matters. Even if I were to die, it would not matter. But the second sorrow is able to burrow its way into my bones, I’m more melancholic about the defining moments in my life than I ever thought possible.
Liam lifts his head and his eyes land on me. His brows pull together with concern as he walks up to me, clutching my chin with his hand and lifting it so I look at him. The soft pad of his thumb brushes the tears off my cheek as he mutters, “Did I reach you?”
He touches me delicately. It’s the first ray of warmth he’s shown me.
And that makes me really fucking sad too.
“Yes, you did.”
14
Wynn
Yelina and Poppieare boobs-deep in the hot tub.
I didn’t even know Harlow had one, to be honest. It’s nice though, not a free-standing one like people have in their backyards. It’s built into the floor and is the size of a small pool.
The two women eye me carefully as I sink into the water across from them. I let out a long, relieved sigh and rest my head against the wall.
I try not to dwell on what others think of me, but it can be hard sometimes. Obviously, Yelina is into Liam and he and I are… hate-fucking now, apparently.
My innermost conscience is still screaming at me for entertaining him. But you know what? I don’t need morals about sex in a place like this. If anything, I’ll just think of it as another form of therapy.
I mean, it sort of is. I think? Sex therapy? I make a mental note to Google that later.
It’s quiet for the most part in here, but I overhear something that catches my attention.
“We should probably wrap up our soak soon. I don’t want to be out too late. I hear sometimes there’s a man standing out in the field, watching. Leigh said that it’s the ghost of one of the people that went missing all those years ago,” Poppie says, fear making her voice tremble.
“I saw him once, so he’s no ghost,” Yelina tuts back and moves her blonde hair to one side as she sinks further into the hot water.
“Seriously?” Poppie’s eyes grow wide.
I can’t help but tilt my head toward them more. My eyes dart to the large windows. I wonder if someone is actually out there.
Yelina nods. “Yeah, it was dark, and I was so scared I left as fast as I could, but I saw his figure. He looked young.” They both rub their arms uncomfortably before Yelina notices me staring at them.
Shit.I quickly turn away and feign ignorance. How else would I hear all the rumors if I didn’t eavesdrop?
The doors swing open and someone walks in, catching both Poppie and Yelina’s attention. I can’t see who it is, but by the way they gawk, I can guess.
Please, God, not him.
The lights in here are already dim as it is. During the day, the skylights let in plenty of light. But evenings like tonight, when even the moon isn’t out, it’s like movie-sex-scene lighting. A few couples are already making out in the far end of the pool.
