The Curse of the Bloodwood

ruggling to cope with school and her

which she had been carrying

se of her antisocial nature and poor academic record - she had

oling on multiple occasions, but

ly's

was anxious about starting afresh. My moving back to Florida, to the house

rder to pinpoint. Was it the carefree summer days still linger

But if I'm being honest, it was mostly

k in the day, with everyone

ll felt like a romantic scene playing right before me. And I

ter?' A vo

spine. I peeked narrowly at t

he approached me. I looked on, be

aimed, opening h

iend; he was my only true fri

arming smile and captivating presence. The only di

ned unchanged. I couldn't deny the

my emotions, I had made a conscious deci

s, no matter how hard I tried. And that realiz

. Schoo

days were

e matters worse, I got stuck in the ch

ing against me, refusing to op

million pages of math problems and essays due t

a total disaster. Then, I joined the basketball club

is strolled up to me, a bask

a charming smile, tossing

nervousl

ned. 'I see you've

to appear nonchalant. 'I don't

oin the cheerleading squad, trade in your sneakers for some spiri

urst from Louis, making

he girls nearby, and my brows furro

the longest d

l was

dn't wait

ton's shoulder – Louis' best friend,

f sharing bizarre anecdotes, w

t Mom wasn't home yet. The emptiness and silence of

alk, seeking refuge from the place that c

isp evening air, I wondered,

hoed in my mind

a special place in my heart. It was where Dad woul

me with ice cream when I did well. Tho

flooding back. I could almost feel Dad's presence around me, and the

s I relived those

me back to reality – 4:15. I hastily g

endous feeling of Louis' muscular arms

asked in

'Surprised

s qu

and downed it in one swift gulp. His eyebrows arc

glass and headed

get in here

gnor

tching the glass from his h

I cal

tion was fixed o

e floor, and Louis' mouth dripping with blood.

med, tears strea

In desperation, I grabbed a mop, attempting to

, his eyes a haunting red, bulging from their s

g the glass at his head. It shattered, lea