Bound To The Shadow

"A/N: Hi, please don't be shy to point out any error. Thank you so much. And Enjoy!💖".

I stood in front of the house, going over the address Riley had sent me. After dragging my heavy luggage from the airport to my car, I felt completely worn out. My bags were stacked to the brim, and there was no way I was making a return trip to the house. I took a deep breath and looked at the impressive structure before me. I had suggested to Samantha that she find a place since she had a talent for it, and I had to admit, she did an amazing job. The house was simple yet captivating, and she had clearly considered my preference for darker colors.

I paused for a moment before ringing the doorbell. The door swung open almost instantly, as if someone had been waiting for a delivery—only I was the one arriving. Lisa’s face lit up with delight, her short hair tied in a loose bun accentuating her joyful expression. Her big brown eyes sparkled as she towered over me, making me feel like her younger sister.

Before I could speak, she lunged forward and hugged me tightly. "Girl, you've gained some weight since I last saw you!" she whispered, and I couldn't help but laugh; it was true. Those past few years had been tough. Leaning in on my tiptoes, I patted her head and said, “That’s what happens when you grow.”

She stepped back, cackling with joy, and pulled me inside, shutting the door behind us. As I looked around the house, I took in all the details—the little chandelier above, the elegant curving staircase, the well-balanced color scheme, and the bright white lighting. I felt a wave of satisfaction regarding Samantha’s efforts.

I turned to my right but Lisa was gone. Just then, I found myself plopped down onto a black foam chair, squeezed tightly as if caught in a tussle between two squirrels. I turned my head to see who had put me in such a situation, and I was met with Riley's blue-green eyes and Samantha's big brown ones gleaming at me.

"Riley and Samantha," I deduced, realizing Lisa must have gone to fetch them. Riley reached out for a quick hug. "I've missed you so much, Bloom!" she exclaimed, using the nickname they had kept since high school.

Samantha, her smile wide, offered me her hand to get back on my feet. “So, what do you think of the house? I hope it’s not too much,” she asked, eyeing the decor like a proud mother looking at her child's makeover.

“It’s fantastic!” I replied, staring in awe. “I honestly didn’t know the money I sent could accomplish all this, but you pulled it off.” I paused to take in their grinning faces, filled with joy. "Thank you, all of you!" I added as I hugged them again.

"Can't breathe!" Lisa exclaimed from beneath the embrace, prompting me to pull back and laugh.

As I took a seat on the couch, they followed suit. “I’m finally here, ready for a fresh start,” I said, forcing a smile even though I noticed their serious expressions. "Don't worry; we’re all here to support you," Riley assured me, earning a grateful smile in return.

Looking over to my left, I saw that Samantha and Lisa also wore concerned expressions, but I shrugged it off—those were all in the past.

Lisa lifted her chin, asking, “So, where are you planning to begin?”

“Well, it’s obvious: finding a job, that’s the next step,” I admitted, staring down at the ground.

“I know of plenty of openings. If you’re ready, we can start looking,” Samantha said, a mischievous spark in her eyes.

I laughed at Riley’s response. “Alright, how about we start tomorrow? Deal?” I proposed.

“Deal!” she replied, shaking my hand.

“Great! Now, can I have a tour?” I asked, looking at them eagerly.

“Absolutely!” they shouted in unison.

“Okay, but first, I might need help getting my things inside,” I mentioned, pointing towards the door.

"Don't worry, I’ll handle bringing them in while Samantha and Riley show you around," Lisa offered cheerfully, raising her hands in a volunteering gesture.

“Thank you so much, Lisa!” I said brightly.

“Haha, don’t mention it; I'm the only one strong enough here to lift those bags—except for you,” she smirked as she opened the door.

Riley and Samantha exchanged a look that seemed to say they could manage it too if they tried hard enough. I stifled a giggle, and as Riley and Samantha headed toward the other side of the house, I jogged a few steps to catch up.

Realizing I had let myself get out of shape while glancing at their fit figures, I said, “Is there a gym nearby? I think it’s time to get back into my routine.”

“Yeah, there’s a really nice gym close by; I think you'll catch some attention there,” Samantha mentioned, gesturing me inside.

“What do you mean by ‘catch attention’?” I asked, curiosity piqued.

“Don't worry; you’ll find out when we get there,” she said, flashing a smirk that made me wary.

As I followed her and Riley into the house, I was struck by how much bigger it was than I expected, with a garden and a library that I envisioned as a relaxation space. Samantha had also ensured the kitchen and dining area were flawless since she knew they were my domain.

When I walked into my room, I was amazed. It was the largest, adorned with wisteria-patterned wallpaper and a king-sized bed with dark purple sheets and a glass castle design in the center, surrounded by tiny butterflies. Everything was perfect—it felt like a dream room.

What caught my attention the most was the large picture framing behind the bed. I almost teared up upon seeing it: a collage of all my favorite people, from Ed Sheeran to Jeremy Lynch, all the way to Rosé, interspersed with clips from my favorite videos and songs.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, I rushed to hug Samantha, nearly crying with joy. She chuckled softly. “This is beyond perfect. Thank you so much! How did you even know about Livingston and Rosé?”

“You never stop posting about them, so how could I not know?” she replied as we parted.

“Ohhh,” I said, realizing my oversight.

“Yup, by the way, Lisa has already brought your stuff up, and it’s time to let you start unpacking. I have a meeting to attend, and Lisa's already left because her dad called. Riley's going to see her boyfriend,” Samantha explained, waving her hands dismissively.

“Okay, it sounds like you all have a busy day ahead. See you later, then!” I said as I followed them to close the door behind them.