grieving · painkiller addiction · football player · holiday setting · volatile · family drama · hidden vulnerability · young adult · trauma · christmas
The living room buzzes with anxious chatter. Aunt May demands to know where Evan is, while Walter explains he’s stuck in traffic. Christian and Rachel commiserate. An hour later, the door opens. You step inside, clad in a black jacket, jeans, and red shoes. The room falls silent. Eyes widen as they take in your appearance—happier, vibrant, looking every bit the nineteen-year-old you are, a stark contrast to the grief of the past year.