Author's Note: What's in bold are the songs I listened to as I wrote this. Feel free to listen or even give some song suggestions for whatever you think may inspire me. Happy reading!

Chapter one, Homecoming

Follow the Low Tide- Driftwood Drive

A monotone voice crackles through the speakers: "Attention passengers, we are approaching Twilight Town. If this is your stop..." I can do this, I tell myself as my feet begin to bounce.

I can do this. I can do this. I. Can. Do. This.

I carry everything off the train and out of the station. As I leave the air-conditioned station, a humid gust of wind tickles my ears and the warm air makes me sweat in my hoodie. Clouds cluster together in the sky and threaten to drop the hammer at any second. While speedwalking towards downtown, I pull out my phone and send Dad a quick text.

"Just got here. On my way home," tucking my phone back into my pocket, I see the space that stretches between streetlights become occupied by clusters of buildings and the occupants of my small town wandering the street.

The tranquility of Twilight Town persisted as looming clouds cloaked the sky, punctuated only by the distant rumble of thunder. The soft patter of rain delicately embraced the streets, guiding the denizens to seek refuge under the flickering street lights. The sidewalks were adorned with a kaleidoscope of umbrellas, adding a splash of color to the otherwise subdued evening. the weather in color.

I knew I should've checked the weather before I came home!

People's faces are lit up by their phones as they pass by. Umbrellas and unknown faces passed her by most glued to their phones as they made their way to their destinations. I could pick out some familiar faces but, my stomach twists when they get close enough to look into my eyes. I can the tension leave my body and an unearthly ease washes over me as they pass me by without a glance.

"You're practically invisible, Sora! No one knows you're back, and if anyone asks, Sora, you know what you need to say. They'll ask, 'How was college?' and you're gonna say, 'Fine. Great even! It's not like it was the worst time of my life, right? Right?'"

The sound of chiming bells and echoing laughter made me think of sirens - bright and sharp. As I turned my head towards the sound, I noticed a petite brunette leaving a cafe, with Riku following her, his bright silver hair standing out in the crowd of umbrellas.

Oh hell no.

I turn on my heel and dash for a shortcut home. My legs carry me through an alley and onto the streets of Twilight Town.

Gains Avenue- Borough Street- Victory Road! Yes! I'm in the clear!

I cheer as I make a hard right down the street, nearly tripping. The heavy rain seeps through my hoodie as I scramble through the streets. My legs move on their own and my mind filters through everything with the elegance of a hurricane.

Of all people why did it have to be Riku, I shriek internally, I'm not ready. I'm not. I'mnotI'm not I'm not-

BAM!

Miraculous Ladybug- In the Rain

I collide with something with the force of a bus hitting a brick wall. I feel water seep through my jeans and I instantly want to squirm, gritting my teeth as I feel the fabric cling to me.

"Oh man, I am so sorry, I-" The words pour out of my mouth as I feel my hands feel the wet and cracked asphalt.

As I quickly grab my bookbag by the handle, I give whatever I bumped into a quick once-over. I notice long red hair, bright eyes, and someone way taller than me.

"Sora?" He furrows his eyebrows as he reaches for the umbrella he dropped. "How have you been?" he asks with a bright smile, enough to clear the clouds and stop the rain.

"Hi Axel," I stammer as I rise to my feet and offer my hand, hearing my heartbeat in my ears amidst the thunder.

Axel gently applies pressure to my hand as he rises to his feet, and it feels like he's hovering over me like the clouds.

"I didn't know you'd be back today," he mutters to himself as he grabs his umbrella and holds it above both of us. I notice his shoulder getting wet. "No one mentioned anything," he adds, momentarily scrunching up his face.

Because I didn't tell anyone, I thought, feeling something heavy pool into my stomach. Please don't ask about it. I don't want to talk about it.

"I was so busy, I didn't have time—I mean, I had time but—" I shake my head, hoping something coherent would come out. When I heave a sigh and see Axel's patient and kind expression, I tell the truth, the little I can bear for now. "I was going through a lot," I say.

Something in Axel's gaze quickly shifts, but it's as subtle as...

"Well," Axel began, "do you want to celebrate with me? You survived after all," Axel empathizes, his features softening at the statement. "If you want to talk about it," he suggests, looking at me but not into my eyes.

"Sure," as soon as the words leave my mouth, I dare meet his gaze and I feel something shift. Somehow, I feel a little lighter. "When I settle in, I'll find you. We're in a small town, after all."

"Alright, well," Axel pauses, searching for something in my eyes, "see you around?"

"Definitely," the promise coats my tongue with sugar, and I don't give it another thought. "See you soon, Axel."

As Axel leaves, the rain goes from an onslaught of showers to a steady pitter-patter. And just as I continue my trek home, the rain turns into a drizzle and the air becomes sticky and humid. The crowds dissipate like mist into businesses or their own homes. I realize how tense I've been.

Thank goodness the storm is ending.

After being away from home for months, my childhood home looms over me like a cosmic horror. When I try to look for nostalgia and comfort, I can only feel thorns in my stomach that devour any positive emotion. As I place my hand on the doorknob, the cold metal gives me a comforting shock. I take a few deep breaths and quickly pray that Dad won't be home this one time.

Oh God, what if he's home? I can see it now. Dad's just waiting for me with a warm smile and a bear hug. He'll tell me that he missed me and try not to cry, but he will. And then I'll cry, but not for the same reason. And then I'll have to confess why I'm upset, and I can't lie to Dad. I've never been good at that!

The tears well up in my eyes, but I quickly blink them away. Turning away from the door, I make myself breathe in and out. In. And out.

I can do this. I made it. Now, here's to hoping everything won't go down in flames.

Like a chorus, I can only chant to myself as I feel a weight settle on me. And the sinking feeling pools back into my stomach again.

You are going to be okay. It's all going to be okay.