The next morning, I woke up to a dull ache in my head, a combination of exhaustion and the stress from the night before. I lay in bed for a while, replaying the events at Tyler's party. The adrenaline from the confrontation had left my body, replaced by a heavy weariness.
I could still feel the unsettling weight of Zachary's eyes on me, the way he had invaded my space, and the sense of dread that had clawed at my insides. But then there was Eli, stepping in with a protective fierceness I hadn't expected. A small sense of gratitude mixed with lingering fear as I thought about how he had come to my rescue.
After finally gathering the energy to get up, I padded downstairs in my pajamas to find Dad in the kitchen, already making breakfast. The smell of bacon and pancakes filled the air, a comforting aroma that made me feel a little more grounded.
"Morning, Gwen," Dad greeted with a warm smile, flipping a pancake expertly. "How was the party last night?"
I hesitated, unsure how much to share. Dad had been supportive about me going out more, especially after all that happened at Sabbleton, but I didn't want to worry him with the details. "It was... eventful," I said finally, sliding into a chair at the kitchen table. "A little too much drama for my taste."
He raised an eyebrow but didn't press. "Well, as long as you're safe," he replied, setting a plate of pancakes in front of me. "You know you can always talk to me about anything."
"I know, Dad," I said, giving him a small smile. "Thanks."
After breakfast, I decided to take a walk to clear my head. The weather was cool and crisp, the early autumn air tinged with the smell of fallen leaves. I pulled on a sweater and headed out, letting my feet guide me down familiar streets. The neighborhood was quiet, with only a few people out enjoying the morning. As I walked, I found myself thinking about Eli and the way he had stepped in so decisively. I had always seen him as Gabe's carefree, charismatic friend, but last night he had shown a different side.
Lost in thought, I nearly jumped when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to see a text from Amelia.
Amelia: Hey, you okay? Last night was intense. Do you want to meet up later?
I typed back quickly.
Me: Yeah, I'm okay. Just needed some fresh air. Meeting up sounds good.
As I made my way back home, I felt a little better knowing I would see Amelia later. Her positivity always seemed to help when I was feeling overwhelmed. By the time I returned, Gabe was lounging on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV.
"Hey, Gwen," he said, glancing up. "You okay? Last night was... something."
I nodded, leaning against the back of the couch. "Yeah, just trying to process everything. I didn't expect things to get so out of hand."
Gabe sighed, setting down the remote. "Neither did I. I thought it was just going to be a fun night. Sorry that jerk tried to mess with you. Eli really handled it, though."
I gave a small smile. "Yeah, he did. I'm glad he was there."
Gabe nodded, his expression serious. "Me too. Look, Gwen, I know things have been rough lately, but I want you to know I've got your back. Always."
I felt a swell of gratitude and reached out to give him a quick hug. "Thanks, Gabe. That means a lot."
As the morning stretched into the afternoon, I got ready to meet Amelia. She lived just a few blocks away, so I decided to walk. The sun was high in the sky now, casting long shadows on the sidewalk. I spotted Amelia waiting for me on her front porch, her bright smile immediately lifting my spirits.
"Hey, girl!" she called out, waving me over. "I was thinking we could grab some coffee and then maybe do a little window shopping to distract ourselves."
"That sounds perfect," I replied, feeling a bit more relaxed.
As we walked to the local coffee shop, Amelia kept up a steady stream of chatter, filling me in on all the gossip I had missed over the past week. I found myself laughing more than I had in days, grateful for her ability to lighten the mood.
Once we were settled with our drinks, Amelia turned to me, her expression softening. "So, are you really okay after last night? That guy was a total creep. I can't believe he tried to pull that with you."
I nodded, taking a sip of my latte. "Yeah, it was pretty scary. But I'm just glad Eli was there. And you and the guys, of course."
Amelia smiled. "Yeah, Eli really stepped up. I don't think I've ever seen him so serious before. He usually just goofs around."
"Tell me about it," I said, shaking my head. "I was surprised too. But in a good way."
We continued chatting, the conversation shifting to lighter topics as we wandered through the local shops. The afternoon sun was warm, and I felt a little more at ease with each passing minute. It wasn't until later, when I was back home, that I realized I hadn't thought about Sabbleton or Zachary for a few hours, and that small victory felt like a step forward.
That evening, after dinner, I found myself sitting at my desk, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I could still see the shadows under my eyes, a reminder of the anxiety that lingered. But there was also a new resolve, a determination to not let the past or people like Zachary control my life.
I pulled out my journal and began to write, letting the words flow without overthinking them. I wrote about Sabbleton, about the fear and the pain, but also about the strength I felt now. I wrote about Gabe, Ezra, Amelia, and Eli—their unwavering support, how they made me feel less alone.
By the time I finished, I felt a sense of calm. Maybe it was just a small step, but it was mine. And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was moving forward.
As I closed my journal, the evening had settled into a quiet calm. I felt a little better after writing, but the lingering thoughts of the past few days kept swirling around in my mind. The events from the party, Eli's surprising intervention, and the unsettling encounter with Gabe and Alexis—it all felt like a puzzle I was still trying to piece together.
The house was quiet except for the occasional clink of dishes coming from the kitchen. Dad was cleaning up after dinner, and I could hear him humming softly to himself. I decided it was time to unwind, so I grabbed a book from my shelf and sank into my favorite armchair, hoping to lose myself in its pages.
Just as I was getting comfortable, my phone buzzed again. I pulled it out to see a message from Eli.
Eli: Hey, Gwen. How's your Sunday going? I was thinking we could meet up again this week to finalize the project. Maybe Wednesday after school?
I quickly typed back.
Me: Sounds good. Wednesday works for me. Thanks for checking in.
As I hit send, I couldn't help but think about how Eli had been there for me. His protective side had caught me off guard, but it had also made me feel more secure. It was confusing, and I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I was grateful nonetheless.
I was about to settle back into my book when there was a knock on my door. Gabe poked his head in, looking casual in a hoodie and jeans.
"Hey, Gwen," he said. "Mind if I come in?"
"Not at all," I replied, patting the seat next to me. "What's up?"
Gabe plopped down into the chair beside me, looking thoughtful. "I was just thinking... maybe we should talk about what happened last night. I know you don't want to get into it, but I want to make sure you're okay."
I nodded, appreciating his concern. "I'm doing better today. Amelia helped me get my mind off things. But it's been a lot to process."
Gabe leaned back, studying me with a serious expression. "I get it. And I'm here for you, no matter what. But if you ever want to talk about it—about Sabbleton, or anything—just know I'm ready to listen."
I smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Gabe. I really mean that. It's good to know I have someone who gets it."
He nodded, a small smile on his face. "You've been through a lot. But you're strong, Gwen. I see it every day."
Our conversation was interrupted by the sound of Dad coming into the room. He was carrying a couple of old photo albums, a nostalgic look on his face.
"Hey, Gwen," Dad said, "I was just going through some old photos and thought you might like to take a look. Maybe help take your mind off things?"
I looked at Gabe, who shrugged with a grin. "Sure, Dad. That sounds nice."
We spent the next hour flipping through old photo albums, reminiscing about family vacations, childhood antics, and other moments from the past. It was a welcome distraction, and I found myself laughing and chatting with Dad and Gabe, my earlier worries momentarily forgotten.
Eventually, it was time to wind down for the night. Gabe and I said our goodbyes, and I retreated to my room, feeling more at peace than I had in days. I took a warm shower, and as I settled into bed, I reflected on the day.
Despite everything, I felt like I was slowly finding my footing. The support from my family and friends was invaluable, and even though the past still haunted me, I was learning to navigate it with a bit more resilience.
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the thought of Eli's unexpected kindness and the strange sense of connection I felt. It was confusing, but for now, I was content to take things one step at a time, trusting that the answers would come in their own time.
A/N: Finally another chapter is out, my feet are killing me from working over the weekend but at least now i can go back to my normal routine. Hope you enjoy the chapter!!
