CHAPTER EIGHTY EIGHT: ACHIEVING NUMBNESS

The airport echoed with the final goodbyes of the semester as Madeline hugged Stephanie and Amanda, each going their separate ways for the holiday break. The anticipation of returning home mingled with a tinge of apprehension, knowing that Daniel lived just a few blocks away from her parents' house.

As Madeline settled back into the familiarity of her childhood home, she felt the weight of memories and unspoken conversations lingering in the air. Determined to keep herself occupied, she crafted a plan to ward off the thoughts of Daniel that threatened to invade her mind. "Alright, Madeline, time to keep busy," she mumbled to herself, scribbling notes in a planner. Her strategy? Work. Two jobs, to be precise. The first as a barista at a cozy coffee shop, the second as a part-time assistant at a local bookstore. The bustling activity and constant interaction with people became her shield against the silent echoes of heartache.

Days blurred into nights as Madeline threw herself into the