Shadows And Light

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The car ride back from the mall was quieter than before, a mixture of exhaustion and lingering tension hanging in the air. I stared out the window, watching the cityscape give way to the suburbs, trying to steady my breathing. My mind replayed snippets of the mall trip, the boys' mixed reactions, and Roseline’s unwavering kindness.

We finally pulled into the driveway of the Russo house. Roseline turned off the engine and gave me a reassuring smile. “Let’s get these bags inside, then we can relax,” she said.

Everyone grabbed bags and made their way into the house. I carried a few light ones, my thoughts still swirling. As we set the bags down in the living room, Nathaniel plopped onto the couch and turned on the TV, acting as if the trip had taken every ounce of his energy.

“So, Aurora ” Nathaniel said suddenly, his eyes never leaving the screen, “where are your real parents?”

The question hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath caught in my throat, and my vision started to blur. The room seemed to spin, and I could feel my heart racing uncontrollably.

“I… I…” I stammered, backing away slowly. Panic surged through me, my chest tightening. The walls seemed to close in, and all I could hear was my own ragged breathing.

“Hey, what’s wrong with her?” Nathaniel asked, looking up with a mix of confusion and annoyance.

“Aurora, are you okay?” Dylan’s voice cut through the fog, but I couldn’t respond. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I flinched, stumbling backward until I hit the wall.

“She’s having a panic attack!” Hugo exclaimed, rushing over. “Give her some space!”

Roseline appeared, her face etched with concern. “Aurora sweetie, breathe with me, okay?” she said softly, kneeling down in front of me. “In and out, just like this.”

I tried to mimic her breathing, but it felt like I was drowning. The boys’ faces blurred together, their expressions ranging from worry to guilt.

“Oh, come on,” Nathaniel muttered, rolling his eyes. “It’s just a question.”

“Shut up, Nate,” Rylan snapped. “This isn’t about you.”

Dylan knelt beside Roseline, his eyes full of empathy. “Aurora, it’s okay. We’re here. Just focus on breathing.”

Gradually, Roseline’s calming presence and Dylan’s soft words began to break through the panic. My breathing slowed, and the room stopped spinning. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to regain control.

“Good, that’s it,” Roseline soothed. “Just keep breathing.”

When I finally felt stable enough, Roseline helped me to the couch. The boys hovered nearby, each displaying their emotions in different ways. Nathaniel looked annoyed and avoided eye contact. Dylan stayed close, his concern evident. Hugo was calm and collected, trying to maintain a reassuring presence. Rylan watched from a distance, arms crossed, but his eyes showed a hint of sympathy. One of the twins, Drew, stood by indifferently, seemingly detached from the situation. The rest of the boys lingered uncertainly, unsure of how to help.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, wiping my tears away. “I didn’t mean to cause a scene.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Roseline said firmly. “You’ve been through a lot. We’re here for you, no matter what.”

Nathaniel huffed and stood up. “This is ridiculous. I’m going to my room.”

“Go ahead,” Rylan said sharply. “No one needs your attitude right now.”

Dylan placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We’re here for you, Ella. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Hugo nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we’ve got your back.”

Rylan sighed and uncrossed his arms. “Just let us know if you need anything, okay?”

I managed a small, grateful smile. Despite the rough start, their words gave me a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could learn to trust them and find a place in this new family.

Roseline gently squeezed my hand. “Why don’t you take some time to rest? We’ll handle everything else.”

“Thank you,” I said softly, feeling overwhelmed by their kindness.

As I made my way upstairs to my room, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. Fear, gratitude, hope, and uncertainty swirled within me. It wasn’t going to be easy, but for the first time in a long while, I felt like I had a chance at a new beginning.

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