𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 (EDITING)

𝟎𝟕

emerson

As Florence urged me to get some sleep, I found myself unable to drift off. The incident where I inadvertently startled her replayed in my mind. It wasn't my intention to startle her, but the situation struck me as amusing, and the words just spilled out. Her surprised reaction caught me off guard, yet strangely, it felt like an ordinary exchange.

Despite her shock, I didn't dwell on it much. It felt oddly natural to engage in this unexpected banter with Florence, even though it might have startled her momentarily. That moment, as odd as it was, resonated with a sense of normalcy in an otherwise uncertain and tense situation.

The clock ticked to seven in the morning, casting its light upon the stark and sterile hospital walls. Lost in contemplation, I heard the door creak open. My gaze shifted towards the entrance, catching Florence as she walked in, carrying a few items in her hands.

"I, uh, brought some clothes for you and a toothbrush," she uttered, gently placing them on the bed. I acknowledged her kindness with a soft, "Thank you," my voice barely audible. Her eyes searched mine, trying to discern something amidst the silence. Unsettled by the moment, I cleared my throat and shifted my attention, staring down at my fidgeting hands

"Did you get enough sleep?" she inquired with genuine concern, settling herself on the edge of the bed. I met her gaze, offering a slow nod in response. "Mhm," I hummed softly, attempting to assure her. Florence returned the gesture with a gentle smile and a nod of her own. "That's good," she acknowledged before quietly leaving the room.

As the door closed behind her, I released a heavy sigh. Another untruth spoken. In reality, sleep evaded me entirely. My mind was a tumultuous whirlwind of thoughts, a maze of fears and uncertainties. I dreaded closing my eyes, afraid that if I did, I'd be transported back to that place again. It was a destination I desperately wanted to avoid revisiting.

I rose from the bed and picked up the clothes Florence had brought. The attire consisted of a pair of loose black joggers paired with a snug grey turtleneck that hugged my body perfectly. I topped it off with an oversized jumper bearing the name 'HARVARD.' Securing my hair into a braid, I stood before the mirror, scrutinizing my reflection. My face appeared swollen and flushed, resembling a ripe strawberry in its vibrant red hue. The emotional strain was visible, painting my face with a telltale sign of distress.

I rushed to the sink, splashing my face with cool water and gently patting it dry with a towel. The refreshing sensation momentarily lifted my spirits, but my flushed complexion persisted. With a resigned sigh, I abandoned the attempt to remedy my appearance, accepting my current state. Stepping out of the room, the chilly sensation of the stone-cold floor sent a shiver down my spine. Despite the discomfort, I continued my descent down the stairs, each step a reminder of the stark coldness enveloping the surroundings.

As I made my way downstairs, I spotted Florence engrossed in a phone call. I mustered an awkward smile in her direction, and she responded with a warmer one. Settling into the same spot I occupied the night before, I gazed ahead, observing Florence as she nodded and hummed during her conversation.

"Okay! Bye, see you later," she concluded her call and set her phone down. "Hi," she greeted me, placing her attention on me. "You wanna eat anything?" Her offer caught me off guard. Food wasn't exactly high on my list at the moment. "Oh- Uhm, no thank you... I'm fine. Thank you, though," I murmured, feeling a bit tense. Her persistence in offering food made me feel uneasy.

"Are you sure? I can whip something up for you," she persisted, gesturing toward the kitchen. I managed an awkward smile and politely declined with a shake of my head.

I felt a nervous gulp rise in my throat as my gaze shifted toward the kitchen, an unsettling sensation churning in my stomach. Waves of nausea washed over me, and I quickly averted my eyes back to Florence, who regarded me with a concerned expression. The unease within me intensified, making me feel increasingly sick.

"Should we go?" Florence asked, reaching for her keys. My response was a nod as I stood up, feeling a bit apprehensive. "Okay! Also, just letting you know, it's quite a long drive," she cautioned me. I murmured an acknowledgment, "Okay," loud enough for her to hear. She nodded in understanding, and together, we left the house, ensuring that the door was securely locked behind us.

During the car ride, an uncomfortable silence enveloped us. I found myself unable to engage in conversation. My gaze fixated on the passing scenery outside the window, absentmindedly flicking the elastic band on my wrist, leaving behind faint red marks. However, my mind was elsewhere, consumed by worries. What would happen to the orphanage? Were there other kids still there, and if so, how were they faring? These concerns circled incessantly in my thoughts, overshadowing everything else.

──

Scarlett Johansson approached us, and I instinctively hung back, observing their interaction while keeping a distance. Despite my detachment, she greeted me warmly, prompting me to nod in response and glance down at my feet, tuning out their conversation.

The sudden mention of my name jolted me back to attention. "Oh- uh.. hi," I greeted Scarlett with a small wave, my gaze shifting to meet hers as the older woman smiled kindly at me. "How are you?" she inquired, already walking ahead with Florence. Hastening my pace to catch up with them, I replied somewhat distantly, "Fine."

"Th-that's... good," Scarlett murmured, glancing back at me. I met her gaze, offering a slight smile, and she responded with a thoughtful hum and a nod of acknowledgment before turning her attention back ahead

After what felt like an extended period of walking, we arrived at a vehicle - a trailer, to be precise. "I'm going to film now. If you want, you can come. But I just wanted to show you my trailer... because that's where we are going to stay when taking breaks," Florence explained. I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Why is it called a trailer?" I questioned.

"Well... I don't know myself," Florence responded, pressing her lips together. I hummed in understanding and nodded, still perplexed by the term.

We stood in silence for a moment before I gathered the courage to speak. "Could I come and watch you guys film...?" I asked hesitantly. Florence turned to me and nodded, offering an encouraging smile. I was taken aback by her immediate acceptance. "Are you sure?" I inquired, feeling a mix of surprise and gratitude. She reassured me with a nod and an encouraging remark, "Don't be silly, come on." Her words alleviated my uncertainty, and I followed her with a sense of newfound excitement.

!!

not a fun chapter, very boring; I know it's a filler chapter. Also can someone please explain to me what the heck I have to do in my history test... so like...? Im clueless