𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 (EDITING)

𝟎𝟖

emerson

Seated in the car, I glanced out of the window and was greeted by a breathtaking sight: the sky ablaze with the vivid hues of a colorful sunset. Its tranquil and serene beauty enveloped me, instilling a sense of peace and calm. In that moment, I felt an unusual ease, as if all the worries and concerns that usually crowded my mind had dissipated, leaving behind a sense of weightlessness and freedom.

As the car halted, we arrived at the restaurant. Stepping inside, we were promptly seated at our table. Placed between Scarlett on my left and Florence on my right, I felt somewhat overwhelmed by their presence. While they engaged in conversation, I remained silent, feeling a profound weariness. Despite my longing for rest, every attempt to relax seemed futile, leaving me feeling confined and unable to escape my thoughts. To divert my attention, I folded my hands and observed the unfamiliar surroundings of the restaurant. It was a completely new experience for me—I had never been inside a restaurant before

"Emerson, tell us a little bit about you," Rachel initiated the conversation. I looked up at her, ready to speak, but found myself momentarily speechless. "Uhm..." I started, struggling to find the right words. "I'm sixteen years old, my birthday is on July 14th, and..." My voice trailed off, feeling uncertain about what else to share. "So your birthday is coming up?" Rachel inquired, and I responded with a hesitant hum

Is four months close by? I don't think so.

"Well, happy early birthday," David chimed in, breaking the momentary silence. I offered him an awkward smile. "Thank you, I appreciate it," I murmured.

A young girl caught my attention with her crystal blue eyes and chocolate brown hair. She reminded me of the twins in the foster care system. "What's your favorite color?" she asked with a gentle curiosity. I turned to her, taking a moment to respond. "Green... What about you?" I inquired kindly.

"Purple," she replied shyly. I nodded in acknowledgment. "Purple is my second favorite," I shared, and she beamed at me, her smile infectious. I couldn't help but smile back at her." That's a beautiful name, Violet!" I exclaimed warmly. Her eyes sparkled in response. "And it matches with your favorite color." Violet covered her mouth, a shy smile gracing her face as her cheeks turned bright pink. "I didn't realize," she mumbled, hiding her face in a moment of charming embarrassment.

"Sorry." I murmured, sensing the need to express it. Scarlett looked at me quizzically, asking, "For what?" I hesitated for a moment. "I don't... know." My voice was barely audible. Her warm smile reassured me. "You don't need to say sorry," she assured. I nodded silently and shifted my gaze away.

Moments later, the food arrived and everyone delved into their meals eagerly. I, however, wasn't hungry. But to avoid causing concern, I served myself a small portion of noodles and pretended to eat, moving the food around my plate as if I were actually consuming it.

Florence cast a concerned glance my way, her brow furrowing slightly. "Aren't you planning to eat?" she asked, her voice filled with worry. Looking up at her, I offered a hesitant nod. "I am, don't worry." I muttered, attempting to oblige by taking a small forkful of noodles. The moment they touched my tongue, an overwhelming sensation of revulsion surged through me. The texture felt slimy and unpalatable, causing a sharp sense of discomfort that lingered in my mouth. It was as if every morsel increased the feeling of repulsiveness, making me feel even more disheartened.

After struggling with the noodles for a moment, I swallowed hard and managed a forced smile. "I'm just not that hungry," I lied, setting the fork down and trying to hide my discomfort. The others continued eating, engrossed in their own conversations, but Florence didn't seem convinced.