011, unbalanced sasha

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⊱ ─── ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ ─── ⊰

The air was cool in the early morning, the sun barely peeking over the horizon as the quiet hum of the dojo filled the space. The only sound was the rhythmic thud of fists hitting the punching bag as Sasha stood in front of it, her movements sharp, her strikes powerful, but not with the usual grace or focus she had once brought to her training. Her mind was elsewhere, lost in the memory of Kwon, her boyfriend-still so fresh, still so painful. Every punch felt like an attempt to fight off the heavy weight in her chest, but no matter how hard she hit the bag, the pain wouldn't go away.

Her fists were beginning to ache, but she didn't stop. Her thoughts were like a storm-flashbacks to the last time she saw him, the last words they shared, the last touch of his hand in hers. Everything had been ripped away so suddenly, and now, she was left to pick up the pieces of a shattered heart. The dojo, once a place of peace for her, now felt like an arena where she was fighting not just against the bag, but against the overwhelming grief that gnawed at her.

She didn't notice the footsteps approaching, not until they were almost upon her. She paused mid-punch, her breath catching in her throat as she heard the familiar sound of someone stepping onto the mat behind her. She turned slightly, her eyes squinting from the harsh light coming in through the windows, and saw him. Daniel LaRusso, Miyagi-Do's sensei, and her father, standing there in the doorway with a quiet expression on his face. He was dressed in his usual early morning training gear, his sleeves rolled up, ready for another day at the dojo. But there was something different in his gaze as he looked at her-something tender, understanding.

"Sasha," he said softly, his voice warm and steady, like the calm before a storm. He took a few steps forward, his presence steady and comforting, and sat down on the bench near the wall, not far from where she was standing. "How long have you been at this?"

She didn't answer right away, instead, giving the punching bag one last forceful strike before she let her arms fall to her sides. Her breath was ragged, her hands sore, and she finally allowed herself to collapse onto the floor, sitting cross-legged. She didn't look at him at first, not wanting to meet his eyes, because she knew the tears were close to the surface, threatening to spill over if she did.

"I don't know," she muttered, her voice hoarse. "Just... trying to stop thinking. Trying to make it hurt less."

Daniel said nothing for a moment, letting the silence hang between them. He understood. He understood what it was like to lose someone-what it was like to carry the weight of that grief. His own mind drifted briefly to his own experiences with loss, but he pushed that aside for the moment, focusing entirely on his daughter.

He cleared his throat softly before speaking again. "You know, your grandfather used to tell me something." He paused, waiting for her to look at him, but when she didn't, he went on anyway. "He would say, 'You fight with your heart, but your mind must guide your hand.' It took me a long time to understand what he meant by that."

Sasha finally looked up at him, her brow furrowed as she tried to decipher the meaning behind his words. Daniel noticed the confusion on her face, and he gave her a small, reassuring smile before continuing.

"When we fight, whether it's in karate or in life, we can't let our emotions rule us. They fuel us, but if we let them take over, we lose control. Grief... anger... all those emotions are real, Sasha. They hurt. I know. I've felt that pain. But you can't let them overwhelm you. You need to find balance. Your heart will carry the memories of Kwon, and those memories are precious, but your mind needs to guide you now. You can't let the pain cloud everything you are."

Sasha bit her lip, the tears threatening to escape, but she held them back. She turned her gaze to the floor, fighting to regain some semblance of control. "I don't know how," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I don't know how to move on. How do I let go of him when everything reminds me of him?"

Daniel's expression softened even more, and he reached over, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. His touch was warm, comforting, and full of the wisdom that came from experience.

"You don't let go of him, Sasha. Not really. You carry him with you, always. But you allow yourself the space to heal. Time will help, but it's what you do with that time that matters. You don't have to be okay right away. You just have to keep moving forward. One step at a time. It's okay to grieve. It's okay to hurt. But don't let that be all you are. You're more than the pain, and Kwon would want you to be more than that, too."

A single tear finally slipped down her cheek, but this time, it wasn't out of anger or frustration-it was out of the release of everything she had been holding in for so long. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she let herself feel the grief, but she didn't fight it anymore. She allowed it to wash over her.

"I miss him so much, Dad," she admitted quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "It feels like I can't breathe without him here."

"I know," Daniel said, his voice tender. "But you're strong, Sasha. I've seen you grow into someone incredible. And I believe in you. You'll find your balance, just like you've done before. And when you're ready, you'll be able to remember him without the pain consuming you. It'll always be there, but it won't define you."

Sasha wiped at her eyes, taking a deep breath as she steadied herself. It was still so hard, but hearing her dad's words gave her a flicker of hope. Maybe she wasn't as lost as she thought she was.

"Thanks, Dad," she said softly, offering him a small, sincere smile through her tears.

Daniel smiled back, his expression filled with pride and love. "Anytime, Sasha. I'm always here for you. And when you're ready, we'll get back to training. You're a fighter, just like him, and I know you'll find your way through this."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Sasha felt a small sense of peace. It wouldn't come all at once, and the grief wouldn't disappear overnight, but she knew now that it was okay to take things one step at a time. And with her dad's wisdom guiding her, she would eventually find the strength to keep moving forward, even if it was only a little at a time.

The circle of chairs in the group therapy room felt small to Sasha, but the quiet hum of the other participants and the dim lighting created an environment that allowed her to feel, if not completely comfortable, at least safe enough to talk. She had been coming here for a while now, though it still didn't feel easy. Group therapy was a place for healing, but it also brought up feelings that she'd much rather avoid. It was still hard to find the words for the grief that weighed on her chest, but she knew she couldn't keep it inside any longer.

Today felt different though. She hadn't planned to talk, but something about the quiet hum of the room, the gentle encouragement of her therapist, and the memory of that conversation with her dad earlier that morning made her feel like she had something to say.

The group was just getting started, the circle of people passing around a talking stick. It was Derek's turn next, but instead of speaking, he glanced at her, his dark eyes filled with a mix of empathy and curiosity. Sasha felt her throat tighten as she found herself looking back at him, wondering if he could see the rawness she was feeling right now. Maybe he understood.

The moment of silence between them hung in the air for a bit before Sasha spoke up, her voice unsteady but determined. "I... I miss him." Her words felt heavy, the weight of them sinking deep into the pit of her stomach. Her hands clenched in her lap as she fought back the tears. "I miss Kwon so much. I... I didn't even get to say goodbye. It feels like the world keeps spinning without him, and I'm just stuck in this... void."

She paused, glancing down at her hands, feeling the rush of emotion threaten to overtake her. "This morning, my dad told me something... he said, 'You don't have to be okay right away. You just have to keep moving forward, one step at a time.' And... it helped, but it didn't make the hurt go away." She cleared her throat, trying to steady her breathing. "I don't know how to keep going sometimes. I don't know if I'll ever stop missing him."

The room was silent for a few moments as the group absorbed her words. Sasha could feel the weight of the grief in the room. She knew that they all carried some version of it-loss, pain, and the overwhelming sensation of not knowing how to move forward.

Derek, sitting across from her, shifted slightly in his chair. He wasn't one to speak often, but there was a soft intensity to his gaze, an understanding that seemed to connect him to Sasha in a way that words alone couldn't express. He was quiet for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before he finally opened his mouth.

"I get it," Derek said, his voice low but steady. "I know what you mean. You don't ever stop missing them. You just... learn to live with it." He paused, his eyes briefly glancing away as he took a slow breath. "I lost my sister, Harper. She... she was my best friend. We were close, like... like you and Kwon. And when she died, it felt like the whole world... just stopped. Like I was the only one still moving while everything else stayed frozen in place."

His words hit Sasha like a wave, a wave of recognition. She could feel the hurt in Derek's voice, that same deep ache that lived in her chest, and she knew what it meant. There was no need to ask for details, to press for specifics. They both knew what it felt like to lose someone who meant the world to them.

Derek continued, his voice becoming softer as he spoke. "Harper was... everything to me. She was my protector, my confidante. When she died, it didn't just change my world. It broke it. I didn't know how to breathe without her, how to keep going without her." He shook his head slightly, as if the weight of those memories was still fresh. "I still miss her, every damn day. I see her in the places we used to go, hear her in the songs we used to listen to, and I think... 'Why is she not here?' And then I remember-she's gone. And I have to keep going. Even though it hurts."

Sasha's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest as she realized the depth of Derek's loss. She wasn't the only one who had been left in the wake of someone's death. She wasn't the only one struggling to navigate a world where the person she loved was no longer there. And in that realization, she found a small flicker of understanding. Maybe, just maybe, they could help each other through it.

"I'm sorry about Harper," Sasha said softly, her voice full of empathy. "I know it doesn't make the pain go away, but... I understand what you mean. I still hear Kwon in my head sometimes, see him in places where we used to hang out, and I get this feeling like... maybe he's still here somehow. But then it all comes crashing back, and I remember that he's not."

Derek gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Yeah. It's like they're always there, in a way. Not physically, but in the way we carry them with us." He paused, glancing around the room, as if to remind them that they weren't alone in their pain. "But that doesn't mean we're stuck. We're not stuck. It just means that their memory... their love... stays with us, even when they're gone."

Sasha closed her eyes for a moment, trying to absorb what he had said. His words weren't a fix. They didn't erase the pain, the emptiness that still haunted her every step. But they gave her something-hope. Hope that maybe, over time, the pain would ease, even just a little. Hope that, maybe, she wasn't alone in this journey.

She took a deep breath, her hands now resting on her lap, her fingers trembling slightly. "I'm trying, Derek. I'm really trying to keep moving forward, even when it's so hard. And hearing you talk about Harper... it helps. It really does."

Derek met her gaze, his eyes full of understanding. "We'll get through this. One step at a time, like your dad said. And even when it feels like we're going backwards, we're still moving forward. It's all part of the process."

Sasha nodded, her throat tight but full of gratitude. She didn't have all the answers, and the road ahead was still unclear, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't alone in her grief. Derek's words, their shared pain, it gave her a small sense of comfort. Maybe they could help each other find their way through it.

The late afternoon air was crisp as Sasha leaned against the cold brick wall outside the therapy center. The buzzing sounds of the city seemed distant, muffled by her own swirling thoughts. She looked down at her phone, fingers brushing the cracked screen as she debated whether or not to send Sam a text. She hadn't spoken to Sam much since the death of Kwon, and while Sam had always been there for her, Sasha couldn't help but feel like a stranger in her own skin these days.

Finally, she typed out a message: "Hey, are you done yet? I'm outside waiting for you."

The words felt heavy, like they were carrying more weight than usual. It had been a long day, filled with emotions that had barely begun to settle. After the group therapy session, Sasha had tried to wrap her head around everything. She'd opened up about Kwon, the pain of losing him, the crushing weight of his absence. The session hadn't been easy, but the moments where she'd shared her grief had felt like small steps toward healing. And then Derek had shared his own loss-his story about his brother-and it had made Sasha feel like she wasn't alone in this grief, even though her heart still ached.

She slipped her phone back into her pocket and turned her gaze upward to the sky, watching as the first stars began to twinkle faintly against the deepening evening. The stillness was comforting in its own way, offering a brief moment of peace. But even peace couldn't numb the constant ache inside her chest. The grief didn't vanish just because she wanted it to.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, jolting her from her thoughts. She pulled it out quickly, expecting to see a response from Sam, but the text was from her. "Sorry, I'm still caught up training with Tory. We're trying to get me back in shape for the Sekai Taikai tournament. I'll be done soon."

Sasha sighed softly, her shoulders slumping as she read the message. She understood, of course. Sam had always been passionate about karate, and now that the Sekai Taikai was coming up, it made sense that she would be focusing on training. But part of Sasha had hoped for a distraction, for a break from everything, if only for a moment. She had hoped Sam would be there, so they could talk, so she wouldn't feel so alone in her thoughts.

Just as she was about to slip her phone back into her pocket, she heard footsteps approaching. The sound was rhythmic, steady. She looked up, and there was Derek, dressed in his jock uniform, clearly fresh from practice or a game. He was tall, with a confident posture that never seemed to waver, even in the face of adversity.

"Hey," he said, his tone casual but still attentive. "You waiting for someone?"

Sasha smiled faintly, trying to hide the exhaustion in her eyes. "Yeah, Sam. But she's tied up training with Tory. They're working on getting her back in shape for the Sekai Taikai." She shrugged, shoving her hands into the pockets of her hoodie. "I guess I'll just head home."

Derek studied her for a moment, taking in her slumped posture and the distant look in her eyes. There was something different about her today. He wasn't one to pry, but something in his gut told him she was struggling more than usual.

"I get that," Derek said, his voice a little softer. "But hey, if you need a ride or anything, I can take you home. No big deal."

Sasha hesitated for a moment, glancing up at him with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She wasn't sure why, but she felt like this wasn't just about getting a ride anymore. She needed something more. Something to help her push forward. She looked at Derek, who was still waiting patiently for her answer.

"Actually," she said, her voice quieter now, "can you take me somewhere else? I don't really want to go home just yet."

Derek raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "Where to?"

Sasha's heart pounded a little faster, her fingers curling into fists in her pockets as she looked away. She had been thinking about it for a while, and the urge was undeniable now. "The tattoo parlor," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, as if saying the words out loud made them more real. "I... I want to get a tattoo. To remember Kwon. To honor him. I don't think I can wait any longer."

Derek stood silent for a moment, processing her words. He could tell there was more behind this than just a sudden decision. The way her voice trembled, the way she avoided his gaze-it was clear this wasn't just about a tattoo. This was about something deeper. Grief. Loss. Healing. He didn't ask her to explain; he simply nodded.

"Yeah," Derek said, his voice soft but steady, "I can take you there. You sure you're ready for it?"

Sasha met his eyes, and for the first time in a while, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this was what she needed. A step toward moving forward, even if it was just a small one. "Yeah," she said, her voice firmer now, though there was still a weight to it. "I need it. I need something permanent, something that'll remind me of him. Of us."

Derek nodded again, his expression calm but understanding. "Alright then. Let's go."

They walked together toward his car, the familiar sound of their footsteps on the pavement filling the space between them. Sasha felt oddly comforted by his presence, his quiet support giving her a sense of stability she hadn't known she needed. Derek wasn't offering empty words of sympathy; he was simply being there, like a steady anchor while the world around her continued to move.

When they reached his car, Derek opened the passenger side door for her, a small gesture that felt meaningful in a way she hadn't expected. Sasha climbed in, her fingers gripping the edge of the seat for a moment before she relaxed against the backrest. The car started, and Derek pulled out onto the street, the rhythmic hum of the engine filling the silence between them.

As they drove, Sasha couldn't help but feel the heaviness of the moment. The tattoo wasn't just a design; it was a way of carrying Kwon with her. A way to make sure his memory didn't fade, even though the pain of losing him was still fresh. She wasn't sure if she was ready to say goodbye, but this felt like the right way to start moving forward.

Derek glanced over at her, his eyes softer now. "You've been through a lot lately, huh?"

Sasha nodded, a lump forming in her throat. "Yeah. It feels like everything's falling apart, and I don't know how to put it back together. I just... miss him so much."

Derek didn't offer any quick fix, no empty words to make it better. He simply let the silence sit between them, allowing Sasha the space to feel what she needed to feel. After a few moments, he spoke again, his voice steady.

"You're not alone, Sasha," he said quietly. "We all have our own way of dealing with things. But you don't have to carry it by yourself."

Sasha didn't reply immediately. She just stared out the window, letting his words sink in. The city passed by in a blur, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she didn't feel quite so alone.

The bell above the door jingled as Derek held it open for Sasha, ushering her into the dimly lit tattoo parlor. The air smelled faintly of ink, sterilizing agents, and a mix of floral-scented candles, soft music playing in the background. The parlor had a calming, almost soothing atmosphere-nothing like the intense emotions swirling inside her.

Sasha hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, the weight of her grief settling heavily in her chest. She had never imagined she'd be here, looking for something permanent to carry the memory of Kwon with her.

Derek followed her in, his usual cocky grin softened into something more curious as his eyes scanned the room. "This place is pretty chill," he commented, his voice smooth, leaning in a little closer to Sasha than necessary.

Sasha forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah," she replied quietly, tugging at the sleeve of her hoodie, not wanting to get too caught up in conversation with him. She wasn't here to flirt or entertain anyone's attention. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.

A heavily tattooed woman behind the counter greeted them with a welcoming smile, her eyes flicking over to Sasha's somewhat hesitant stance. "Hey there, what can I get for you?"

Sasha swallowed hard. It was a big decision, choosing something to permanently represent Kwon, the boy she had loved and lost. She had thought about it for days, but the right symbol hadn't come to her until the last few hours of the day. "I want something that symbolizes loss," Sasha said quietly, her voice wavering slightly as the grief began to choke her again.

The tattoo artist nodded, as if she understood. "I can work with that. Do you have any idea of what you want? Or should we brainstorm together?"

Sasha looked down at her hands, then back up to the artist. "A broken arrow. I've always loved the idea of it representing a journey or a path. But broken, like... something's missing now." She paused, her throat tight. "I think that's what Kwon left me with. A broken path."

The tattoo artist smiled softly, her gaze sympathetic but professional. "I think that'll work perfectly. Why don't you take a seat? I'll get everything set up for you."

Sasha nodded, taking a seat in one of the chairs near the back of the room. She clenched her hands together in her lap, willing the lump in her throat to dissolve. The grief was a constant companion now, always threatening to surface, even in a place like this. She had lost Kwon in such an unthinkable way, and now she was trying to make sense of it. Trying to find some way to keep his memory alive while also moving forward.

Derek sat across from her, his eyes not missing the subtle tremor in her shoulders. He leaned forward, flashing her an easy grin. "You okay?" he asked, but there was something in his tone, a softness she hadn't heard before. His usual bravado was gone.

Sasha looked up at him, her eyes still a little glassy. "I'm fine," she lied, though the words tasted bitter in her mouth. "Just... thinking."

Derek studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "I get it," he said, his voice lower now, almost unrecognizable. He paused, seemingly unsure of what to say next, before finally adding, "Losing someone... it's not something you can just get over. You don't have to pretend everything's okay." He leaned back, clearly trying to back off. "But hey, if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here."

Sasha didn't answer right away, her thoughts still spinning. She appreciated his words, but they didn't ease the ache in her chest. Talking about Kwon felt impossible right now. The idea of opening up to someone new felt like it would dilute the love she still carried for him. She didn't want to start anything with Derek-not when she was still clinging to Kwon's memory.

But she managed a small nod, acknowledging his offer. "Thanks," she muttered, then quickly added, "I don't really feel like talking much."

Derek seemed to understand, his lips curling into a brief smile before he leaned back in his chair, giving her the space she clearly needed.

The tattoo artist, a woman with a colorful sleeve of tattoos wrapping around her arm, returned with the stencil for the broken arrow. She gently placed it on Sasha's arm to see how it would look, asking if it was the right size. Sasha barely glanced at it, her eyes still focused on the ground.

"It's perfect," she whispered.

The artist smiled and began setting up the tattooing equipment, preparing the needle and ink. As she worked, Derek continued to sit across from Sasha, not speaking, but his presence was a comfort in its own way. His casual flirting earlier had faded into something else-something deeper. It wasn't lost on Sasha that Derek was trying to be there for her, in his own way. But she wasn't ready for that. Not yet.

The needle began to buzz as the tattoo artist got to work. Sasha winced at the first touch of the needle, but the pain was dull, almost comforting in its own strange way. It was a reminder that she was still here, still moving forward, despite the grief threatening to swallow her whole.

As the tattoo artist worked, Sasha found her mind drifting, remembering Kwon's laugh, the way he would always know just what to say to make her feel better. The broken arrow she was getting wasn't just a symbol of his death-it was a way for her to carry him with her. A way to remind herself that the love they had shared wasn't gone; it was just... different now.

When the artist was done, she wiped down the fresh ink and showed it to Sasha in the mirror. The arrow was broken, its lines jagged and uneven, but there was beauty in its imperfection. The sharp angles almost seemed to represent the sharpness of her own pain.

Sasha touched the ink gently, her fingers tracing the outline of the arrow. She was starting to feel something-maybe acceptance, or maybe just the first flicker of healing.

"Looks good," Derek said, his voice soft and genuine now. "It's beautiful, Sasha."

She gave him a small, weary smile. "Yeah," she agreed. "It is."

As she paid for the tattoo and stood up to leave, Derek followed her out, his footsteps matching hers. "You sure you don't need me to drive you home?" he asked, his tone light, but there was still that underlying care in his words.

Sasha hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm okay," she said, her voice steadier now. "Thanks for everything, Derek. You didn't have to do this."

Derek smiled, that cocky grin of his returning, but there was something warmer about it now. "Hey, anything for a friend."

As they stepped out of the tattoo parlor, the cool night air brushed against Sasha's skin, the kind of crisp wind that made everything feel a little more real. The lights of the streetlamps flickered above them, casting long shadows as they walked down the sidewalk together.

Derek was quiet beside her, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his lips as they walked. But Sasha could feel something shifting in the space between them, something more than just a casual walk after a tattoo.

She glanced at him briefly, but didn't meet his eyes. Her fingers instinctively ran over the fresh tattoo on her arm, the broken arrow now a permanent part of her skin. It felt like a silent declaration to herself, a message that she wasn't ready to fully let go of Kwon, not just yet.

As they reached the parking lot, Derek stopped in front of his car, blocking her path slightly. Sasha looked up at him, frowning slightly. "What?" she asked, her voice already tinged with the exhaustion of the evening, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Kwon.

Without warning, Derek leaned down and kissed her. His lips pressed against hers softly at first, but then with more insistence, pulling her into the kiss. The action was sudden, unexpected. His hands gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek as if he wanted to erase the sadness from her expression.

Sasha froze, her heart pounding in her chest. The kiss felt all wrong. Everything about it was wrong. She pulled back sharply, her breath coming in shallow bursts. "Derek!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with anger. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Derek's expression didn't falter. He stood there, slightly breathless, staring down at her, his gaze more intense than before. "Sasha," he said quietly, his voice low. "You can't keep holding on to him forever. I get it, you lost someone, and that sucks. But you can't let it define your life. Kwon wouldn't want you to be stuck in this pain."

Sasha's chest tightened, the words cutting into her like a knife. She shook her head fiercely, the tears she had been holding back threatening to spill. "You don't get it!" she snapped, her voice cracking with emotion. "You don't know what it's like to lose someone like that. I can't just forget about Kwon. I can't move on like it's nothing! He was my everything!"

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, the anger and grief mixing into a storm inside her. She felt her heartache resurfacing in full force, the memory of Kwon's smile, the way he used to look at her, the way he was always there when she needed him. Now all she had was an empty space that nothing could fill.

Derek's expression softened, but there was a trace of frustration in his eyes. "I'm not telling you to forget him, Sasha," he said gently, his voice taking on a softer tone. "But you can't keep living in the past. You've got to keep going. You've got to move on for you."

Sasha's hands shook, and she stepped back from him, her voice rising in anger. "I'm not ready!" she yelled, the words bursting out before she could stop them. "I'm not ready to move on! I can't just... let him go. He's a part of me. And if you think I should just forget about him, you're wrong!"

The hurt was palpable in her words, raw and jagged. It wasn't just about Kwon; it was about everything she had lost, everything she had tried to suppress in the weeks since his death. She wasn't ready to let go of that part of herself, no matter how hard Derek tried to push her.

Derek took a step back, clearly taken aback by her outburst. His hands dropped to his sides, and for a moment, he was silent. His brow furrowed as if he were trying to find the right words. "I know it's hard," he said after a beat, his voice quieter now, "but you can't keep holding on to something that's already gone, Sasha. It's not healthy. You're not going to find peace if you keep yourself stuck in the past."

Sasha shook her head again, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "You don't understand," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I loved him. And you think I'm just supposed to move on and forget that? I can't do that. Not now. Not yet."

The weight of her words hung heavy between them, and Sasha could feel the crackling tension in the air. Derek stood there, silent for a moment, clearly conflicted. He had wanted to help, to offer comfort, but now it seemed like nothing he said could reach her.

Finally, he sighed, his expression shifting to one of resignation. "I'm sorry, Sasha," he said softly, his voice sincere. "I didn't mean to push you. I just want you to be okay. But I get it. You need time."

Sasha didn't respond right away. She just stared at him, the pain in her heart almost suffocating. After a long moment, she turned her gaze away from him, her shoulders hunched with the weight of her emotions.

"I'll take you home," Derek offered quietly, his voice low and careful.

Sasha nodded slowly, not trusting herself to speak. She couldn't argue with him anymore. She wasn't ready to move on. And maybe she never would be. She wasn't ready for Derek, or anyone else, to make her feel like she had to forget Kwon.

She climbed into his car without another word, the silence between them thick and heavy, as if both of them were waiting for the other to say something-anything. But neither of them did.

And as Derek drove off into the night, Sasha couldn't shake the feeling that she was caught in two worlds: the one where Kwon still existed in her heart, and the one where she was being told to move on. And for now, she didn't know how to reconcile the two.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

ahh angsty future lovers

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) PLEASE JUST STOP BEING A GHOST READER!! DONT JUST COMMENT PLEASE VOTE!!!!!!

PLEASE STOP BE A GHOST READER AND VOTE!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up bt votes not its hard for my motivation!