Moonbound Hearts

Chapter 3: Confronting the Past

Angela’s Pov,

As I sat in class, my mind wandered to the past, to a time when the world seemed simpler, and I was just another student trying to navigate the tumultuous waters of high school. But even then, Leo Miller had made it his mission to make my life a living hell.

I remembered the first time Leo targeted me, the way he had mocked my clothes and my hair, the way he had made fun of my shy demeanor. I had tried to ignore him, to rise above his cruelty, but it only seemed to fuel his desire to break me.

I couldn’t understand why he had singled me out, what I had done to deserve his wrath. But I had learned the hard way that bullies don’t need a reason—they thrive on the power they hold over their victims, the control they exert through fear and intimidation.

It wasn’t until much later that I had discovered the true reason behind Leo’s animosity, the dark secret that had driven him to torment me for years. And as much as I tried to bury that truth, it haunted me still.

I remembered the day my father had been arrested, the way my world had crumbled around me. The shame, the guilt, the overwhelming sense of betrayal—it had consumed me, leaving me adrift and lost. But even in that moment of despair, I had never imagined the depth of Leo’s hatred, the way he had blamed me for my father’s mistakes.

I had never known the full extent of Leo’s pain, the way his family had suffered because of my father’s actions. And while I knew that I couldn’t be held responsible for someone else’s mistakes, the guilt still lingered, a constant reminder of the past.

But Leo’s return had brought with it a new wave of fear and uncertainty. What did he want from me? Why was he so determined to make me pay for something that wasn’t my fault? And what did he mean when he said he had been waiting for this moment?

As the class ended, I made my way to my locker, my thoughts still consumed by Leo’s return. But as I turned the corner, I found myself face to face with a group of girls, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and judgment.

“Well, well, well, look who it is,” one of them sneered. “Little Miss Perfect, back in the spotlight.”

I felt a familiar sense of dread wash over me, the memories of past bullying still fresh in my mind. But I refused to back down, to let them see my fear.

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice steady.

The girls exchanged glances, a sly smirk crossing their faces. “Just wanted to welcome you back to the school, Angela,” one of them said. “We heard that Leo’s back, too. You two have quite the history, don’t you?”

I felt a knot form in my stomach, the weight of their words heavy on my shoulders. “What are you getting at?”

The girls giggled, their eyes dancing with malicious intent. “Oh, nothing, really. Just wondering how you’ll handle it this time. After all, he did a number on you last time, didn’t he?”

I felt my anger rise, my fists clenching at my sides. How dare they bring up the past, to taunt me with my weaknesses? But even as I bristled with indignation, I knew that they were right. Leo’s return had shaken me to my core, and I didn’t know how to face him again.

As I walked away, their taunts still ringing in my ears, I realized that the ghosts of my past had come back to haunt me, threatening to unravel the fragile peace I had fought so hard to achieve The weight of Leo’s return pressed down on my shoulders, threatening to drown me in a sea of uncertainty.

I couldn’t allow myself to be consumed by fear, to let his presence dismantle the progress I had made in reclaiming my strength. I needed to find answers, to confront Leo and understand the true reason behind his relentless torment.

Determined, I sought solace in the familiar refuge of the school library during my free period. The scent of old books and the quiet hum of students engrossed in their studies enveloped me, providing a sense of calm amidst the storm that raged within me.

I sat at a secluded table, flipping through the pages of an ancient tome on mythology. The stories of warriors and heroes resonated with me, reminding me of the courage and resilience I had within myself. It was in those pages that I found the inspiration to face Leo once more, to uncover the truth that lay buried beneath his animosity.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice Emma’s approach until she spoke, her voice gentle yet laced with concern. “Angela, are you okay? You seemed lost in another world.”

I looked up, meeting her concerned gaze. “Leo’s return has stirred up a storm within me, Emma. I can’t help but wonder why he’s so fixated on tormenting me. There must be a deeper reason, something that I don’t yet understand.”

Emma sat down beside me, her presence a soothing balm to my troubled mind. “I’ve been doing some research, Angela, trying to uncover any information that could shed light on Leo’s motivations. I found something that might be relevant.”

Curiosity piqued, I leaned in closer, urging her to continue.

“It turns out that Leo’s family had a long-standing feud with your father’s,” Emma explained. “They believed that your father had wronged them, causing their family great harm and sorrow. Leo blames you for what he perceives as your father’s sins, and he’s determined to make you pay.”

A mix of anger and sadness surged within me. Leo’s hatred had roots in a generational vendetta, a feud that extended beyond our individual experiences. I had become a target, a vessel for his family’s anger, and it had taken a toll on both of us.

“I never knew,” I whispered, my voice tinged with sorrow. “I never knew the extent of their suffering, and I understand that they must have endured hardships because of my father. But I can’t allow Leo to continue punishing me for something that was out of my control.”

Emma placed a comforting hand on mine. “You’re right, Angela. You can’t carry the weight of someone else’s guilt. It’s time to confront Leo.