The secret she kept

Chapter29: Embracing Solitude

Apologies for the delay in updating this story. As many of you know, this story unfolds gradually. I began weaving its narrative in 2019, never anticipating the substantial readership it would attract. I am genuinely grateful for each of you who invests time in reading my work. Thank you for your continued support. Without further ado, here's the latest chapter. 

 Chapter 29: Embracing Solitude 

 The initial nights in my bed were a sanctuary. The absence of hospital clamor allowed me to relish the quietude of home. Don't get me wrong; my hospital stay was comfortable, but the familiarity of home brought unparalleled comfort.School remained off-limits; a cautionary measure as I awaited the results of a pending test. While waiting wasn't my forte, I embarked on a quest for a new pastime. Photography briefly piqued my interest, but the watchful eyes of Mom and Dad curtailed my creative pursuits. Their concern, though understandable, sometimes bordered on overbearing. After all, I'm a teenager, yearning for autonomy.The initial days were blissful; Mum and Dad's care, coupled with marathon sessions of board games—Monopoly, Catan, and more.

 However, by the sixth day, monotony set in. I longed for the company of Liam and even Breth, a craving for the camaraderie of peers. Liam's sporadic visits and late-night calls to Jesper offered some relief, but they couldn't replace the dynamic of being with people my age. I felt stifled, enclosed in my thoughts, yearning for a change of scenery.The predicament lay in escaping parental vigilance.

 Despite their watchful eyes proving handy for reminders about my inhaler, it presented a challenge when I sought a temporary escape. Undeterred, I delved into my closet, retrieving a backpack, basketball, phone, headphones, and a sturdy pair of sports shoes. The decision was made—off to the river court, a sanctuary for a moment of respite.Preparing my belongings, I slowly opened the door, glancing at my parents nestled on the couch, engrossed in a movie. Seizing the opportune moment, I slipped through the window.

 The sensation of my feet touching the ground heightened my excitement for some solitary time. A leisurely walk to the river court felt like stepping into a different world—a temporary escape from the confines of home. Perhaps shooting some hoops would be therapeutic; just me, my thoughts, some music, and a basketball court

.The streets were deserted, providing a serene backdrop for my thoughts. Retrieving my headphones from the backpack, the melodic strains of Frank Turner's "Be More Kind" filled my ears.

 Humming along, I mused, "History's been leaning on me lately;I can feel the future breathing down my neckAnd all the things I thought were true."The river court came into view as the song concluded.

 A vacant space greeted me; unsurprising, given the hour—2:30 in the afternoon.The first shot swishing through the basket invoked a satisfying feeling. The rhythmic bounce, the whoosh of the net—sounds I had sorely missed over the past six days.

 For 45 minutes, I lost myself in the simple joy of throwing a ball around, the music providing a soothing backdrop.Suddenly, a car pulled up, interrupting the solitude. A figure emerged, heading toward the court. 

Engrossed in my world, I barely noticed a ball hurtling my way.

 "Hey Mell, aren't you supposed to be elsewhere?" the person quipped with a laugh. 

 Looking up, I met Liam's brown eyes. "Well, these days, I'm not entirely sure where I'm supposed to be," I replied. 

 Liam approached, enfolding me in a tight hug. 

We lingered, and when we pulled apart, he looked into my eyes. 

"Sure you're up for a bit of play?" 

 "Probably. I've been taking it easy, but it should be fine. 

I just needed to get out of the house. The walls were closing in," I explained. 

 "I get that. Do you have your inhaler?" Liam inquired. 

 "Damn, I forgot about that," I admitted.

 "Not ideal for basketball, then. Let's just listen to my music," Liam suggested. 

 "Sounds like a plan," I agreed. 

 And so, we found ourselves on the river court benches until sundown—just the two of us, the music, and my attempts to ignore parental messages. As we got up and walked toward Liam's car, a lingering sense of being watched nagged at me. I dismissed it, attributing it to fatigue from being outdoors. Climbing into the car, the feeling persisted, and that's when I caught a glimpse of Dan observing from his car a short distance away.

 "Why does he always watch over me?" I pondered aloud. 

 "Huh? What do you mean, Mell?" Liam asked. 

 "Oh, I think Dan is sitting in that car over there," 

I said, pointing to where the car should be."Wait, what?" Liam exclaimed, looking in the direction I indicated. 

To our surprise, there was no car to be seen. 

 "That's so weird. Just a few seconds ago, there was this black car over there," I insisted.

 "Mmm, well, let's just get you back home," Liam replied, a hint of concern in his tone. 

 "Yeah, just not really looking forward to my parents' reaction," I sighed.

 "Understandable, but let's take the long road then," Liam suggested, starting the car and reaching for my hand.

 As the car moved slowly down the road, the sun setting in the rearview mirror, I braced myself for the inevitable disapproval at home. Yet, in that moment, the journey back, hand in hand with Liam, made it all worthwhile.