ATHENA.
The breathtaking canvas of Paris unfolded outside my window, a kaleidoscope of twinkling lights and vibrant life. Yet, all I felt was an oppressive silence, like a heavy weight crushing my chest. The iconic Eiffel Tower stood tall in the distance, its glittering beauty mocking me.
My heart racing like a runaway train, my thoughts swirled in turmoil – how could I have let things spiral out of control? I should have been more careful, more vigilant. Desperation had clouded my judgment, leading me down a path of irreversible mistakes.
It all began this afternoon in Montmartre, over a steaming cup of coffee with a business associate. That's when my phone vibrated and I saw it– a photo of Orion and Harro sharing a kiss in a dimly lit parking lot. My heart sank as I recognized Harro's familiar white hair. The message from Orion's father was simple and accusing:
"Did you two have fun fooling me?"
In a panic, I dialed Orion's number, hoping to warn him before his father confronted him. But when he didn't answer his personal phone, I tried his office, only to be told he'd taken the day off. A sliver of worry crept into my mind, and I knew I had to act. I'd promised Orion I'd always be there for him, no matter what. He's my best friend, so I did the only reasonable thing I could think of.
"Hi Harro, it's me, Athena. I've been trying to reach Orion, but he's not answering. His father sent me a picture of you two, and I think he's discovered your secret relationship..." My words were abruptly cut off by an ominous static, like a dark cloud had swallowed my voice whole.
I told myself it was just a bad connection, but fear and intuition had already begun to entwine around my heart, squeezing tight. The moment I hung up the phone, a sense of foreboding settled in. Something felt terribly wrong.
I frantically dialed Orion's number again and again, praying that he and Harro were together, that they were safe. Finally, Orion picked up, but my relief was short-lived. They weren't together, and Orion's father had already found him. My heart sank, heavy with dread.
It wasn't long before the devastating news arrived. Harro had been in an accident. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, the air knocked out of me. Standing alone in my bedroom, the silence was deafening, the walls closing in on me like a vise.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes and the water works started as I berated myself for my carelessness. "How could I have been so reckless?" I whispered, my hands trembling with guilt. "Something bad always happens when someone makes careless decisions, and I seem to have made one today. Now Harro's fighting for his life." It was all my fault.
I typed out a message to Orion, my fingers flying across the keyboard. "Stay strong, I'm here for you," I wrote, wishing I could be there to hold him, to comfort him as he faced this new crisis. But I knew there would be no answer. I wasn't expecting one; I just wanted him to know I was thinking of him, that I was with him in spirit. He was alone, taking care of Harro's father and an unconscious Harro, his world completely turned upside down.
The decision to leave town tomorrow was made in a split second, but the weight of facing the consequences of my phone call felt like a crushing burden. Fear gripped my heart, threatening to suffocate me, as I booked the first ticket back to Alderan. My heart pounded in my chest, echoing the relentless barrage of thoughts racing through my mind.
I had to see them, to show them that I cared, that I was truly sorry. The thought of facing Harro, lying unconscious and vulnerable, filled me with dread. I could already picture him, his familiar delicate features drawn and pale, his strength and vitality sapped away. And Orion? I was terrified of the anguish and accusation I might see in his eyes when we finally met again.
The guilt was suffocating me. If only I hadn't made that phone call, Harro might not be fighting for his life. Would Orion ever forgive me? Would he see our friendship as a source of pain instead of comfort? I couldn't shake the fear that he'd resent me, that our bond would be irreparably broken.
The memories of how I'd used him as a shield to avoid my parents' overbearing talks of marriage now haunted me. Had I always been selfish and reckless, putting my own needs above his this whole time? The thought made my stomach churn with regret and anxiety.
As the hours ticked by, the weight of my deception felt like a suffocating shroud, slowly draining the life out of me. I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd been living a lie, using Orion as a shield to protect myself from my parents' relentless pressure to marry. The engagement I'd fabricated was a desperate attempt to escape the suffocating expectations of perfection.
But now, the facade was crumbling, and reality was staring me straight in the face. I knew I had to confess to my parents, to tell them the truth about the fake engagement. I could already hear my mother's voice, laced with concern and disappointment. "How long were you going to keep this from us, Athena?" The lines of disapproval would be etched on her face, and I could already feel the weight of her admonitions.
I knew I had to be brave, to face the consequences of my actions. I couldn't keep hiding behind Orion, using him as a shield to protect myself. He deserved to be free, to love whoever he chose, without the burden of my deception. But as I sat there, trying to muster the courage to confess, my bedroom began to feel like a prison, the walls closing in on me with every passing moment.
My breaths came in short gasps, and I felt like I was drowning in my own guilt. I leaned over my desk, resting my head in my hands as the sobs began to overwhelm me. "I'm sorry, Harro," I whispered into the empty room, my voice shaking with regret. "I'm sorry, Orion. I should have done better to protect you both." The tears streamed down my face as I mourned the damage I'd done, and the weight of my deception threatened to consume me whole.
As night descended upon Paris, casting a dark veil over the city, I busied myself packing my suitcase, my mind divided between anxiety and determination. Clothes flew into the suitcase, a jumbled mess of fabrics and emotions. I reminded myself that I couldn't turn back the clock, but I had to take action now. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a reckoning – a confrontation with myself and those I loved.
I took one final glance out the window, the city lights reflected in the tears that welled up in my eyes. The Eiffel Tower, once a symbol of romance and magic, now seemed like a distant, unattainable dream. I knew I had to face my fears head-on, no matter the outcome. I had to confront the mistakes I'd made, both with Orion and Harro, and finally honor the promise I'd made to Orion's late mother – to always be there for him.
That flight would take me back to Alderan, but it would also plunge me straight into the heart of the storm I'd unleashed with my phone call. The uncertainty was overwhelming – where would I even begin? I could only hope that amidst the chaos, I'd find a path to redemption, a way to mend things beyond the weight of my regrets. One thing was certain – running away wouldn't solve anything. I had to face the music, no matter how daunting it seemed.