-The Pain in My Heart-

                                    

                                          
A/N: REWRITTEN!!
Keefe's POV: 
Raindrops pelted against the glass of my window in my bedroom. Their drumming rhythm drowning out the murmurs of the darkness of my bedroom. I sat perched on the edge of an overstuffed armchair, gazing out at the world turned gray by the storm raging outside. A heavy weight settled in my chest as the familiar ache that had become my constant companion these past few years. I could hear the sound of my parents' raised voices drifted from the adjacent room, seeping through the crack in the walls like venom.  
Ever since I can remember my world has been a mixture of dark clouds and hidden smiles. My parents, if you can even call them that, are more like strangers I share a house with. They go about their own lives, leaving me to fend for myself emotionally, mentally, and even physically. The only flicker of warmth in this frosty existence is a memory – a memory of a girl whose laughter used to fill the air with a melody sweeter than any song I've ever heard. 
Sophie. Or as I like to call her Foster.  
Her beautiful name whispered through my mind like a beautiful melody, a beacon of light in the darkness. Cherished memories of her smile, laughter, her brown eyes with those sparkling tiny golden flecks. The way she made me feel alive flooded my senses. I closed my eyes, letting her essence wash over me, calming the storm within.  
I loved all our adventures together. The many dreams we shared and our beautiful friendship bond that grew as we grew up together as adorable children.  
But the day my so-called parents took me out of school was the day I was torn away from her. It is etched into my mind like a knife through butter. I can still remember the way her eyes widened with fear as I was pulled from my desk, the tears streaming down her face as she screamed for me to stay. I wanted nothing more than to tell her that I would find a way back to her, that I would never forget the bond we shared.  
I had sobbed so hard for hours after I was torn apart from her. It was the worst pain I have ever endured.  
My sweet Sophie Foster, where did you go? I wonder if you're thinking of me too, if you're missing me just as much as I miss you. In the end, it didn't matter that we were just kids. It didn't matter that my parents didn't approve. All that mattered was the bond between us, stronger than any force in the world. 
As if drawn by an invisible thread, my gaze drifted back to the window. The rain had intensified, the droplets now pelting against the glass with a ferocity that mirrored my own turbulent emotions. Unable to contain myself any longer, I rose to my feet and made my way across the room. With a shaking hand, I undid the latch and threw the window open wide. 
The cool air hit my face like a slap, and for a moment, I was struck by the sheer force of the storm. The wind whipped my hair around my face, stinging my cheeks with raindrops. I leaned further out of the window, feeling the power of the storm course through my veins. It was a feeling both exhilarating and terrifying, a reminder of the chaos that ruled my life. 
As I sat in the dimly lit room, memories of happier times tugged at the frayed edges of my mind. 
I remembered Sophie, my childhood friend, her laughter like a beacon in the darkness of my past. I could still recall the way her smile lit up her face, the sparkle in her eyes as she regaled me with tales of adventure and wonder. But that was before everything changed, before my parents decided to uproot me from my life and all that I held dear. 
Torn away from Sophie and my school felt like the end of everything I knew. I had felt so adrift, lost in the sea of uncertainty without her at my side, I wondered where she was now. She was the tether that kept me grounded, the one person who truly understood me. And now, she was no more than a distant memory, a shard of my shattered past. 
A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the room, casting stark shadows against the walls. The boom of thunder followed, shaking the very foundations of the house. I shuddered, feeling the reverberations of the storm deep within me. It was as if nature itself mirrored the turmoil that raged within my soul. 
"I don't want to hear it," I muttered to myself, clenching my fists in frustration. My parents' arguments were like a recurring nightmare, a tempest that wreaked havoc on my fragile peace. I longed for solace, for a moment of respite from the chaos that plagued my life. 
With a heavy heart, I rose from the armchair and made my way to the door. The voices of my parents grew louder, their words like daggers that pierced the fragile peace of the house. I couldn't bear to listen any longer. In a moment of impulse, I grabbed my jacket and stepped out into the storm, the cold rain instantly drenching me to the bone. 
I loved Sophie, more than mere words could express. Her laughter was the melody to my soul, her smile the beacon in my darkest hours. But now, she was a distant dream, a mirage I longed to reach out and touch, only to have her slip through my fingers like water. 
The streets were deserted, the only sound the drumming of rain against the pavement. I walked aimlessly, letting the torrential downpour wash away the bitterness that clung to me like a second skin. The darkness of the night enveloped me, a soothing cloak that offered a semblance of comfort in my hour of need. 
As I wandered through the stormy night, the rain soaked through my clothes and matted my hair. The cool air bit my skin, but I barely felt it. All I could think about was Sophie, and how much I longed to see her again. I wondered if she was thinking of me too, if she was as lonely and miserable as I was. 
And then, in the distance, I saw her. A silhouette against the backdrop of the storm, her figure illuminated by the flickering streetlights. Sophie. My heart leaped in my chest, a spark of hope igniting within me. Would it be possible? Was she real, or merely a trick of the mind conjured by the storm's fury? 
I quickened my pace, the rain beating against my skin like a drumroll of anticipation. As I drew closer, the figure turned, her face illuminated by a flash of lightning. It was her. Sophie. The one person I had longed to see, standing before me in all her ethereal glory. 
I stand frozen in place, unable to move, unable to speak. The distance between us feels like an insurmountable chasm, yet I long to bridge it, to reach out and touch her, to make sure she's real.
And then, I stepped forward towards her, holding the umbrella above her head. "Need an umbrella, Foster?" She looks towards me shock filling her features. 
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"I'd rather be punished for making the right decision, than live with the guilt of making the wrong one for the rest of my life." (Sophie)
Keep Being Cool
-KotLC183