“My parents are dead,” I whisper.
And she scoffs.
The woman fucking scoffs, before giving me awhat did I tell youlook.
“See, it all makes sense.” Her hip juts out as she tries to take on a casual pose. “How about you take your problems to therapy and leave Axel out of it? He doesn’t need to throw away his career and future on some piece of chubby ass.”
Feeling small and too big at the same time, something inside of me cracks.
The door pushes open as someone new enters and my feet finally break free.
I rush out the door.
My ears are ringing. A dull hum filling all my senses.
I think I hear a female voice call my name, but I don’t pause to find out who it is. Because I can’t stand one more moment in that woman’s presence.
The first sob bursts out of me and I turn away from the lobby, moving further down the hall.
I’m okay.
I press the towel I’m still clutching to my mouth, trying to catch the sounds.
I’m fine.
Tears pour from my eyes.
I’m enough.
A few more steps.
I’m okay.
A door sits ajar just to my right, and I lurch forward to push it all the way open.
An empty coat room, unused in the summer heat.
Another sob bubbles up and I let my body fall against the door. Snapping it closed under my weight.
I’m fine.
Closing my eyes as tight as they’ll go, I try to will away the vile emotions filling my mind.
I’m enough.
I’m okay.
I’m fine.
You’re exactly who you need to be, Sweetheart.
My mom’s voice swims through my mind, and a new wave of sadness crashes over me.
You’re the perfect you.
You’re enough just the way you are.
A sound I don’t recognize leaves my chest, as sorrow like I haven’t felt in so damn long swamps me.