A year later and I'm still broken. It turned out that the police and paramedics showed up after calls and tweets about the shooting went round. The tactical team gunned down the shooter who was allegedly a depressed ex student, and I was saved just in time. The damage was already done; 20 people including teachers and principal Grace lost their lives, while 15 people suffered from varying degrees of injuries. The shooting was one of the deadliest in Colorado's history and it gathered a lot of media attention.

The bullet had missed my heart by just an inch. Mum keeps saying I am lucky. Now thinking about the meaning of the word 'lucky', I don't think I am lucky at all. I lost my friends, my innocence and my peace of mind in that shooting. I still have nightmares, nothing excites me anymore and I'm not even excited about college. Mum and Dad are always so worried about me.

After I was discharged, they enrolled me for counseling sessions. To be honest, nothing the counselor ever said made me feel better. There was a time I considered my lost friends the lucky ones. Mum and Dad didn't want me going back to my high school, and honestly I didn't want to go back there either. They said I'm going to enroll in another one when I'm ready, but I don't think that's going to be possible especially since I'm almost 18.

I sat in front of my dresser looking myself in the mirror. I traced my fingers over the scar that was left behind. It still reminds me of that terrible day. My phone buzzed on the dresser saving me from my thoughts of self-loath. I picked up my phone even though I really didn't want to pick the call.

It was Elvis again. Since the shooting, I've distanced myself from him, from everyone really. But he keeps reaching out, trying to be there for me. I love him, truly, but I'm not the same girl he fell for. It hurts to see the worry I've caused him and my family. They deserve better than me.

To stop the incessant buzzing, I finally answered. "Hey, how are you?" He asked. "I was thinking we could go shopping and catch that new Transformers movie. It's showing today, and you love Transformers."

Elvis is really a sweet person. We've been together since the 8th grade and I remember how I had a silly crush on him since the 5th grade, that was until he finally asked me out. He is practically obsessed with me and I am with him, but I still wonder how he's keeping his shit together after what happened.

Snapping back to reality, I realized I hadn't replied. I listened to his steady breaths waiting for my reply through the phone. "Yes El, I'll love to go shopping with you." I replied, feigning enthusiasm so I wouldn't hurt him.

"Great! I'll pick you up in 20", He replied excitedly.

Since the shooting, I've avoided social outings, so I get why he's excited. I rarely agree to go out with him these days.

Moving towards my wardrobe, I rummaged for something simple. My mind wandered aimlessly—part dreading going out, part wanting to reconnect with Elvis, part wanting to show my family and counselor I'm trying to move on. "Baby steps," as my counselor says. Finally, I settled on a long, sleeveless blue floral dress and sandals, holding a jacket just in case.

Putting everything on except the jacket, I walked over to my door grabbing my black purse on the way. Taking a sharp long breath, I opened the door and made my way downstairs towards the front door.

"Rhea?" I froze in my spot. I really need to stop doing that.

"Yes?" I replied turning towards the living room. My Dad stood up from the couch, having the same worried and tense features that I've now grown accustomed to. "I'm off to the movies and shopping with Elvis. I'll be back by 10". I said before he even asked.

Dad looked like he had not slept in weeks. He has visible eye bags, his bushy brown hair looked like it had seen better days, and his eyelids frequently draped over his grey eyes. One would've thought he'd at least rest on a Saturday. I walked over to him, placing his hands in mine.

"I'll be fine. Remember, Elvis is with me and he'll protect me. I love you and please have some rest. You look like a horror movie abomination". I chuckled softly at the last part before standing on my toes, and planting a kiss on his cheek. He smiled.

Gosh, dad is really so handsome. How I wish I'm really not the cause of his constant worry and pain. "I love you too. Your mother is asleep but I'll let her know when she wakes up. You are right. I do look like Frankenstein, Don't I?" I laughed and he laughed with me, with his tensed broad shoulders visibly relaxing. I suddenly felt the atmosphere become a lot less tense.

My dad and I stared into each other's eyes in comforting silence until the honk of a car horn snapped us back. I hugged him tightly and walked towards the front door, a lot more better than how I felt earlier. My parents still love and care for me deeply. I am such an asshole for thinking otherwise.

Elvis got down from the driver's side, and came to open the passenger's door of his Acura TL for me. Could he be any sweeter?

"Thank you," I said, smiling back as I got in and buckled up. Elvis got in too and did the same thing.

"You look absolutely gorgeous babe," he said with a smirk. I looked at him and noticed he also wore blue on blue. "You don't look too bad yourself", I replied genuinely.

There was silence for about two minutes, which was killing me. I thought about anything I could possibly bring up to kill this awkward silence, until he saved me by speaking first. "Uhm, so, shopping first, then the movie at 7:40. We've got about 2 hours. If we get bored, any ideas?" he asked, smiling.

"Let's start with shopping. Maybe we can get ice cream or find a quiet spot?" I suggested, hoping to ease the awkwardness.

"Sounds good!" He reversed out of the driveway, and I rolled down the window, relishing the evening breeze.

Ten minutes later, Elvis pulled up in the parking area of "Zenith Apparels", the newest in the area. He rushed to open my door, taking my hand as we entered.

An employee named Pei-Ling Roberts greeted us with a smile. "How can I be of assistance?" she asked rubbing her hands together, and I couldn't help but notice she's probably half Asian and in her mid-twenties.

She looked so cute and neat in her uniform of dark red shirt and black pencil trousers. Elvis said something to her, which she obviously blushed about but I didn't get it because I scanned through the store with my eyes and I must say it was huge.

The store was meticulously organized, with clear divisions between male and female apparel, each section further categorized into sub-aisles such as 0-3, 4-8, 9-13 years, and more, catering to a variety of sizes. The air inside was fresh and inviting, and it was evident they were well-stocked, posing serious competition to other local clothing stores. I couldn't help but feel genuinely impressed.

After a brief exchange between Elvis and Pei-Ling, Elvis continued to hold my hand as we followed her deeper into the store. Taking in the layout, I observed Pei-Ling gesture towards the female section designed for ages 15-18, sizes 6-12, before excusing herself. With a nod of acknowledgment, Elvis and I refocused on the racks of clothing. Releasing my hand from Elvis's, I began searching through the clothes, trying to find something that caught my eye. Elvis must have noticed my focused demeanor because he kindly offered to grab us both bottles of water.

After setting aside about 15 outfits, my eyes landed on a familiar top that brought back memories I so desperately wanted to get rid of. The yellow top was oddly similar to the one I wore during the shooting; it's just that this had a Mickey Mouse design instead. I stared at it so hard my head hurt.

"You're hurt." Someone's deep voice said beside me and I instantly snapped out of my trance. I was so focused on the top that I didn't notice someone standing beside me.

"Excuse me, Do I know you?" I asked, obvious annoyance in my voice at the stranger that dared to intrude my private thoughts.

Now fully staring at the stranger, I couldn't help but get intimidated. The stranger was at least 6ft 2, and had slicked back black hair that complimented his diamond shaped face. His piercing grey eyes went well with his porcelain white skin, and the green shirt he wore clung to his defined muscles. He looked somewhere in his mid-twenties.

"No, not at all. The name's Dominic and I came here for my niece. May I know your name?" he said with a smile stretching his hands to me.

Please don't panic, please don't panic. I repeated constantly to myself and after what seemed like a minute, I shook his hand. "I am Rhea and I'm here with my boyfriend".

"oh, boyfriend?...if I may ask, where is this 'boyfriend'. He didn't run off, did he?" I looked at this stranger that tried to pry my personal life. His steely eyes looked at me with so much intensity. I was just about to reply when I felt a hand snake round my waist drawing me closer.

"Are you okay babe? Here is the water you asked for." Elvis whispered in my ear giving me the bottle, while still keeping his eyes on Dominic giving his 'back off' look. I looked at Dominic and his expression turned from inquisitive to disgust and rage in seconds. He looked on edge, which scared me. His steely eyes didn't leave Elvis' hands on my waist.

I was just about to introduce Dominic when he sharply said, "I'll be on my way Rhea, it was nice meeting you". He took a bow and left. Elvis kept his eyes on Dominic as he walked away, but I quickly titled his head to force his eyes on me.

"it's nothing, okay? I think we should start going. It's almost 7." Elvis nodded before kissing my cheek.

He looked behind me and I turned to see what he was looking at. He removed a short, blue, V-neck gown from the hanger and I nodded actually liking his choice. He took out another dress, this time a long red sequined dinner gown that had a slit at the left. "We're going to have a dinner date soon," he winked and my cheeks turned rosy red. He's so sweet.

After paying for the items and leaving the store, I couldn't help but think about eerie Dominic. His personality definitely doesn't sit right with me.