Celeste The hollow echo of my sobs filled the otherwise silent room. The dim light of the moon filtering through the curtains did little to illuminate the dark, bleak space that reflected the turmoil in my heart. I'd barely managed to wipe away the tears when I heard the familiar, almost sinister creak of my bedroom door opening. “You’ve been acting out of character.” Jack’s voice was cold, filled with suspicion. “What's going on with you, Celes

Celeste The crowd was roaring, a cacophony of cheers and jeers that made the entire arena vibrate with energy. I watched with bated breath as Matt’s team battled fiercely against their opponents. Every time the puck danced dangerously close to their net, I felt a pang of anxiety tighten in my chest. The scoreboard glared with 2-2, and there were only a couple minutes left. The pressure was palpable, every person in the stands waiting for that tiebreaker. I heard Fiona muttering a string of curses every time the other team threatened to take the lead. “I think they might lose,” I murmured, watching as the other team managed to wrestle the puck from one of Matt’s teammates. “Don’t jinx it,” Fiona whispered back, gripping my arm tightly. Suddenly, there was a turnover in the rink. The opposing team’s main player was breaking away with the puck, sprinting towards Matt’s team’s goal with blazing speed. But just when it seemed he was in the clear, Matt appeared seemingly out o

Celeste The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver sheen over the athletic fields. The grass seemed to shimmer in response, every blade reflecting the gentle glow of the night. Matt and I halted in our tracks, both captivated by the serenity of the moment. The moon, our only companion, was slowly inch

Celeste The next morning, the cold light of day accentuated the throbbing in my temples. My night had been restless, filled with tangled sheets and even more tangled thoughts. I had half a mind to bury myself under the blanket and shut out the world, but the jingling of my phone snapped me back to reality. 

Celeste The night had been calm, the serenity of the forest only disrupted by the chirping of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves. But the sound that echoed through the trees was something else entirely—a growl, raw and guttural, the sound of a creature lurking in the dark. “Why do you want me to run?” I whispered to Matt, my voice shaking, the trepidation evident in my tone.