Chapter 18. Unsteady

I come around, hearing Iz talking to me, slowly guiding me back to reality, one I wish I could escape from.

They all saw the whole damn family watched me crumble and fucking fall. I've never had flashbacks that intense before. I can usually see and hear everything around me in a few seconds.

This time, I didn't. Iz walked off and left me with Marco, which is worse.

"How do you feel?" His words are soft as he edges closer to me.

"Like a fucking fool. Stupid and weak, embarrassed, your whole family saw." I need to leave.

"They understand. No one thought badly of you because of it, Lucia."

I laugh at his words. "Really? As you all seem to be pretty much floating through life right now without issues." Sighing, I rub my face. "I'm sorry, I just feel on edge."

"You don't need to apologise, Lucia. You may see me as a hard rock, brick, or something similar. I'm not, or rather, I wasn't always."

Ra