In the Shadow Of Memory

Chapter 17

On Friday evening, Daisy was getting ready for her boss's birthday party. She slipped into a cute, light blue dress that hugged her figure and paired it with a puffy white coat. She ran her hand through her blond hair and glanced at herself in the mirror, but her expression was less than thrilled.

Tanya noticed Daisy's reluctance and came over. "You clearly don't look like you want to go," she observed, concern in her voice.

Daisy looked at Tanya with pleading eyes. "I know. Sometimes, I wish I was never a model. It's just... exhausting."

Tanya embraced her friend warmly. "Look, who cares? Have fun, drink a lot, and enjoy yourself. Ignore all the jerks out there."

She handed Daisy her purse and gave her a reassuring smile. "Just go and make the best of it."

With a final hug and a nod, Daisy headed out, and Tanya closed the door behind her. She then returned to the living room where Mia was working on her laptop, struggling with a group project. The November chill seeped through the apartment, and Tanya made hot chocolate for both of them, hoping it would lift Mia's spirits.

Mia shut her laptop and smiled gratefully as Tanya set the mugs down. "Thank you so much," she said, taking a sip of the warm drink.

Tanya settled down next to her, taking a sip of her own hot chocolate. A few moments of comfortable silence passed before Tanya sighed deeply, her eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and frustration.

"You know," Tanya began, "I've been having a really hard time with my family lately. It's like they don't even notice me unless I'm doing something wrong."

Mia looked at her with concern. "What do you mean?"

Tanya leaned back, her voice heavy. "My dad is never proud of me. No matter what I do, it's never enough. And my mom... she's barely around. It feels like they don't really care about me. Sometimes, it seems like my family hates me."

Mia listened quietly, sensing Tanya's pain. "I'm really sorry to hear that. It must be so tough."

Tanya nodded, her eyes welling up. "It is. I know it sounds dramatic, but it's hard to feel like you don't belong anywhere. Moving in with Daisy has been such a relief. At least here, I feel like I have a place where I'm appreciated."

Mia reached over and gently touched Tanya's hand. "I'm glad you have a place with Daisy, but you're also important to me. You deserve to be valued and cared for."

Tanya smiled weakly. "Thanks, Mia. It means a lot to hear that. I just want to find a way to be happy and not let my family's attitude get to me so much."

Mia squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You're doing great, Tanya. And remember, we're here for each other. Sometimes, just talking about it can make a difference."

Tanya took a deep breath, feeling slightly lighter. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks for listening, Mia. It helps."

They continued to chat, the warmth of the hot chocolate and their shared conversation offering a comforting reprieve from the cold and their individual struggles. As the evening wore on, Mia felt grateful for the opportunity to support her friend and found solace in the simple act of being there for Tanya.

As Tanya and Mia continued to talk over cookies and hot chocolate, the evening slipped away. Their conversation had drifted through various topics, from Tanya's family troubles to Mia's own challenges. Laughter and shared stories filled the room, but eventually, they became aware of the time.

Mia glanced at the clock on the wall, her eyes widening. "Wow, it's getting late. Didn't Daisy leave like four hours ago?"

Tanya looked over at the clock, her expression shifting to one of concern. "Yeah, she did. I hope everything's okay."