I sit on the bed, blasting my music and wishing the voices in my head would shut the hell up. I squeeze my eyes shut and turn my music up louder. My ears hurt, but that's a small price to pay. I try to focus on the lyrics, but memories float through my head instead.
That time back in middle school when I tried to tell a joke in a presentation, and no one laughed.That awkward flop of an eighth grade dance.
Trying to participate in a group discussion in English class.
My breakdowns in public.
Trying to socialize.
My heart thuds in my chest as my anxiety spikes. I throw my eyes open and look at the door. There's no lock. Not like the one I had at home. Someone could come in at any time. They could come in and see me in the room where my guard is down.
I turn the music up louder, but now I'm focused on the noises around the new house. Even through the music, I swear I can hear the floorboards creaking, the door opening, someone calling my name, a shout for help—
I yank my earbuds out of my ears. I stare at my door as my music faintly floats through the air. I don't hear anything coming from outside my door.
I think back to what I remember of this new house.
No locked doors besides the ones leading outside.
No locks on the bathrooms.
No locks on the bedrooms.
I look at the closet. I go over and head inside. It's small enough, so it'll work. It's the best I have. I grab my music and shut the door tight. It's dark as I sit against the door. That way, if anyone wants to get in, they'll have to move me first. No one can get in without me knowing.
I close my eyes and put my music in. I turn it loud, even louder than before. My eyes burn, but my body settles as I get lost in the music. The world finally falls away around me, and I let it. I never wanted to be a part of it anyway.
YOU ARE READING
Rewrite the Stars (bxb)
RomanceBlythe Lovelace exists. He doesn't do much else. He's just there, living with his mom and brothers. But when family drama unfolds, and his older brother leaves him to go off to college, Blythe faces the consequences of everyone else's actions. His m...