The Calm Before
John woke slowly to a dim, grey morning. The faint light crept through the thin hotel curtains, casting soft shadows across the rumpled sheets where he lay alone. David and Conrad had already left. No sounds, no signs that they’d been there other than the lingering scent and the ache that settled deep in John’s chest. Memories from the night before flickered unbidden, sharp and uncomfortable.
He shifted carefully, unsure if the knock-on-wood quiet would shatter if he moved too quickly. His muscles ached from exhaustion, but deeper still was the exhaustion of feeling small and trapped beneath invisible weight. Taking a slow breath, John forced himself up from the bed and into the bathroom, shutting the door softly behind him.
Staring into the cracked mirror, John's reflection revealed dark circles under tired eyes, a jaw clenched tight against his frustrations and fears. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to wash away the shadows clouding his mind, but the heaviness remained. A faint mark on his neck reminded him he wasn’t done with last night just yet.
Dressing silently, John made his way down to the hotel breakfast. The dining room buzzed with energy, teammates celebrating the season’s win, their voices mixing with the clatter of plates and coffee cups. As John scanned the room, his gaze settled on David and Conrad sitting together, laughter spilling between them. Their eyes flicked toward him frequently, exchanging sly, satisfied looks, brief smiles that said they held a secret and enjoyed their power over it. Their smugness was quiet but cutting, the pride of men who thought they’d won far more than a game.
John’s stomach twisted, but he kept his head down and walked past. He slid into the seat beside Liam, whose steady presence reminded him that not everything was lost. Liam offered a small, knowing smile, silent support that whispered, I’m here.
Soon it was time to board the bus for the journey back to campus. John moved toward the back, a quiet island apart from the others. David and Conrad sat a few rows forward, their relaxed postures and exchanging of more smug glances unmistakable, they were pleased with what they’d done, proud almost to show it.
John pressed his AirPods into his ears, cranking his music to drown out the world. The steady thrumming of the engine, the blurred cityscape rushing past the window, and the protective wall of sound gave him space to breathe without judgment.
Back on campus, with the football season behind him, John shifted focus to the looming weight of final exams. Less than a week remained before the battle of books and papers would begin, and he knew there was no margin for distraction, not if he wanted to honour his parents’ sacrifices or his own goals.
John retreated to his small apartment, turning it into a fortress of study. Textbooks and notes filled every surface, highlighters in neat rows, flashcards stacked like towers. Liam was his steady companion during these days, dropping by to help quiz him, offering company in long hours of reading. Sometimes Liam stayed late into the quiet nights; John was mostly silent, but Liam never pressed him to talk. He understood that John would open up when he was ready and that patience was the truest support.
David and Conrad faded from his thoughts. Their attempts to damage or unsettle him no longer pierced the armour John was carefully building. They simply ceased to matter.
Still, a shadow lingered, the uneasy silence of the Secret Society. Their absence from his life stretched unnervingly long, like the quiet before a storm. John remained on edge, alert to the faintest sign of upheaval, unwilling to let his guard down even amidst the pressing demands of exams and studies.
Exam week arrived in a relentless blur. One test followed another, but John remained resolute, pushing exhaustion aside to meet each challenge. When the final paper was handed in, relief and fatigue mingled as he finally exhaled.
Farewells were quiet and weighted. John stayed longest with Liam, sharing smiles and promises to stay connected over the summer. Their friendship was a rare, grounding force amid everything else.
John’s father arrived shortly after, parked just outside the dorm with a warm smile and open arms. The ride home was calm, the city skyline retreating behind them as familiar streets and the quiet comfort of home welcomed John back.
The future was uncertain, but as the sun dipped low and the road stretched ahead, John felt a fragile hope growing inside him. This summer might bring rest, reflection, and the strength he would need to face what came next.
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