Part 18

                                    

                                          
"Mom," Allison called out excitedly as she noticed her mother's presence in the newspaper. Victoria glanced over at Allison from the kitchen counter, her curiosity piqued. "Hmm?" she hummed in response. As Katrina came into the kitchen grabbing a drink .
"You're in the paper," Allison informed her, a hint of amusement in her voice. Victoria's eyebrows shot up in surprise and Katrina curiously look at the article infront of Allison . "Oh god, I am?" she questioned, a mix of disbelief and anticipation in her tone. Allison couldn't help but chuckle at her mother's reaction.
"Yeah," Allison confirmed, holding up the article for Victoria to see. "Victoria Argent is to be recognized as Teacher of the Year at this weekend's Beacon Hills Association of Teachers Gala for contributions to the teaching of students during the charity event ," Katrina read aloud, her eyes scanning the printed words. Victoria sat up beside Allison, Katrina's  her expression a mixture of pride and slight embarrassment. "Oh, I hate that picture," she muttered, clearly not a fan of the chosen photograph. 
"This is going on the fridge," Allison declared, her excitement evident. "What? No, that's not refrigerator-worthy," Victoria protested, but her words fell on deaf ears as Allison confidently placed the article on the fridge, securing it with a magnet. 
"Oh, yes it is," Katrina  insisted, a wide smile adorning her face as she gazed at her mother.
"Morning girls ," Argent greeted them as he entered the kitchen, noticing the interaction between Katrina , Allison and Victoria. 
"Look, Mom made the paper," Allison proudly announced, showing him the article. Argent's eyes lit up with delight as he took in the news. "Oh, I love that picture," he exclaimed, appreciating the captured moment. Victoria shook her head, feeling slightly embarrassed by the attention. "Fame at last," Argent joked, his tone light-hearted. "Oh yes, I made the local news, right next to the coupons," Victoria replied with a touch of self-deprecating humor. 
"Well, you're a superstar to me," Argent said sincerely, closing the distance between them and sharing a tender kiss. The support and love between them were palpable. 
                         ••••••••••••••••••
I scrolled through the article about Sebastian, my heart sinking as I read the details. The pain of regret washed over me, as if my heart was being ripped out all over again. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had failed him, that I hadn't been there when he needed me the most.
Despite the abundance of material things in my life now, I felt a deep sense of emptiness. I didn't know who I was anymore, and that weighed heavily on my soul. The constant guilt and regret consumed me, like a relentless thunderstorm that I couldn't escape. Sometimes, I found myself getting lost in that guilt, drowning in it.
The guilt of being the only one to survive from my unit haunted me. I questioned why I had lived while they didn't. What made me so special? These thoughts would wander into the darkest corners of my mind, trapping me in a cycle of self-doubt and pain. It was a struggle to resurface from those depths, to learn how to breathe again.
I glanced at the blank page and the unanswered question on the desk in the classroom. Leaning on my forearms, I felt a wave of boredom wash over me. But it was more than just boredom. I felt disconnected from everyone around me, like an outsider who didn't belong. From the moment I stepped into this school, into this town , I never truly felt like I fit in.
Without a single hesitation, I rose from my desk. The teacher's voice called out, "Katrina , is there a problem?" But I couldn't find the words to respond. I simply left the classroom, feeling the weight of my emotions pressing down on me. The classroom's walls couldn't contain the turmoil within me, and I needed space to breathe.