Allison
Gazing out the car window, the blur of trees and buildings slowly morphed into familiar landmarks, signaling my return home. Two months of darkness, therapy, and struggling to find myself again were finally behind me. The memories of those endless days trapped in a hospital bed still lingered like an open wound.
I had shut out my mom, Tom, Jayden, and Sally, insisting they give me space. The only way to heal, I had convinced myself, was to be left alone. But now, as the taxi rolled to a stop in front of our house, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. How would they react to the new me, the me who had been shattered by their betrayal?
The driver’s voice broke the silence, “We’re here, miss.” He helped me out of the car, handing me my walking aid a constant reminder of my fragile state. My legs trembled as I stood upright, the world spinning around me for a moment. I took a deep breath, the cool air filling my lungs, and began to make my way towards the front door.
As I stepped into the house, the familiar scent of fresh flowers and baking wafted through the air, transporting me back to a time when life was simpler. But I knew nothing would ever be the same again. The question was, would I be able to find my place in this new reality?
Standing at the door, I let out a deep sigh, the weight of my emotions threatening to consume me. The house looked newly painted, the vibrant colors a stark contrast to the dullness that had settled within me. I wondered if I’d ever be able to live my life with the same brightness and vitality as the fresh paint.
I slowly turned the handle and pushed the door open. My mom stood before me, her eyes brimming with tears, her hands clasped together in a desperate plea. She’d been waiting for me, expecting me, and the anguish etched on her face was almost too much to bear.
Sally emerged from behind her, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. I felt a pang of resentment towards my sister; she’d known about Jayden’s betrayal, and her silence had been a betrayal in itself… Or had she forgotten that I could understand sign language?
My mom’s voice trembled as she spoke, “Welcome home.” The words were laced with regret and longing.
I sighed deeply, the sound tearing from my throat. Then, I walked past them, my hands shaking as I clung to my walking stick for support. Sally reached out to help me, but I snatched my hand away.
“Give me alone,” I said, my voice cold and detached. I headed upstairs without looking back, the silence that followed me a heavy, oppressive shroud.
As I entered my room, I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. The walking stick slipped from my grasp, clattering loudly on the floor. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I couldn’t cry. The therapy had worked, I told myself. I was free now. Yet, a lingering ache remained.
I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Suddenly, a faint tapping sound came from the window. I turned to see Colby waving at me, a gentle smile on his face. “Hey, friend,” he whispered. “It has been a really long time, don’t you think?’
A small smile crept onto my lips, and for a moment, the pain receded. “Yes, long time indeed,” I whispered back.
Colby’s eyes squinted as he took in my appearance from head to toe. “Hey. Don’t tell me you’re crying because you missed me so much?” he teased.
I shook my head, laughing softly. “You’re really something else, Colby,” I joked.
Colby shrugged, his grin faltering for a moment. “Welcome back,” he whispered.
Just then, the door creaked open, and my mom walked in with a tray bearing a jar of milk and a plate of cookies. “Your favorite,” she said, setting the tray on the table.
I turned away, not wanting to face her. “Just leave it,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mom swallowed hard, her eyes welling up with tears. She nodded and backed out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
I let out a deep sigh and told Colby I needed to rest. “Okay,” he replied, his voice fading into the distance.
Then, I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as the silence enveloped me. After a few minutes, I got up and walked over to the computer on my desk, switching it on with a soft hum.
I settled in front of it properly, my fingers hovering over the keyboard as I logged into the adult site. The familiar layout and prompts brought back memories, and I easily recalled my username and password. As I logged in, a mix of emotions swirled inside me.
The first thing I saw was a post from my manager, who else but my mom announcing the demise of “Sweetest Bunny,” the online persona they’d created. I scoffed at the dramatic language, but deep down, I knew it was true. Sweetest Bunny was dead, but Allison Bells was ready to rise from the ashes.
I scrolled through the notifications, and my eyes widened as I saw the sheer volume of comments. Most of them were from a user named JJ_Haps, whose username seemed suspiciously like my ex-stepbrother Jayden. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I read through his comments.
JJ_Haps’s words were lavish and creepy, dripping with adoration. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he wrote.
“I really adore you. I wish I could see you just once.”
“Your backside and waist are everything.”
“I’m your biggest fan!”
“You’re my favorite OnlyFans creator and I watch you all day. I can’t get tired of watching your contents all over and over again.”
“Sweetest Bunny for president please…”
“Fuck! You made me cum thrice!”
His comments made my skin crawl, but I couldn’t look away. Was I smiling? Damn it! I was crazy.
One comment, in particular, caught my attention. It was longer than the others, and the tone was different. I felt a sense of trepidation as I read the words, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Sweet Bunny, I know you’re gone but I need to put this here. As I write this, I’m consumed by a mix of emotions. Everything between us will now come to an end, and I’m forced to confront the reason why. The truth is, I’ve fallen deeply in love with someone else. She’s the one I’ve been searching for, the one I’ve been trying to mold into your likeness. But she’s so much more than that – more beautiful, more captivating, and more extraordinary.
My heart beats for her alone, and I’m willing to risk everything to make her mine. I plan on declaring my love to her in front of our school friends, under the pulsing lights of a club. I dream of her saying yes, of us embracing, and of our love shining brighter than any star.
As I let go of the past, I’m filled with a sense of longing. I know I’ll never forget you, but I’m ready to move on. My love for her is all-consuming, and I’d give my life to make her happy.
As I read the comment, my vision blurred, and I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. I sobbed uncontrollably, my body shaking with each ragged breath. I clutched my chest, feeling like my heart was being torn apart.
With legs that still ached from my ordeal, I stumbled to the bed, phone in hand. I dialed Jayden’s number, but it went straight to voicemail. He was gone, lost to me forever.