scarred

Feelings

Elle practically bounced out of the gym, her feet barely touching the ground as she hurried to her car. She couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear, feeling like she was walking on air. She felt a sense of excitement and triumph, like she had just won a major victory.

As she drove home, she couldn't stop thinking about the conversation she just had with George. She replayed his words in her head, reliving the moment when he agreed to be her gym instructor. She felt a flutter in her chest, thinking about how she'll get to spend more time with him, learning from him, and pushing herself to new heights.

She pulled into her driveway, still beaming with excitement, and practically skipped into her house. She droped her gym bag on the floor and did a little happy dance, her arms waving in the air. She couldn't wait get started

She took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but her enthusiasm was hard to contain. She felt like she was on cloud nine, like nothing could bring her down. She put her airpods in her ears humming a happy tune, feeling like she was on top of the world.

As she headed to the kitchen to grab a water, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and couldn't help but giggle. Her face was flushed, her eyes sparkled, and her smile was still plastered on her face. She looked like a woman who was totally smitten, she hoped this feeling died soon because she was setting herself up for a heart break, she drank the water and headed up to her mum's room she needed to clear this 'george effect'

Elle's excitement and enthusiasm slowly drained away as she entered her mother's room, replaced by a sense of concern and empathy. She found her mother sitting in a chair, staring blankly into space, clutching a framed picture of Kelvin. Her mother's eyes were glassy and unfocused, her expression a mix of sadness and longing.

Elle's heart went out to her mother, and she felt a pang of guilt for not always being around to help her ease the pains, She had been so caught up in her own grief and efforts to move on that she hadn't stopped to consider what her mother must be going through.

She approached her mother quietly, not wanting to startle her, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Mom?" she said softly, trying to rouse her from her trance-like state.

Her mother slowly blinked, and her gaze shifted to Elle, but her eyes still seemed distant, lost in thought. Elle could see the pain and grief etched on her mother's face, and it broke her heart.

Elle's excitement and joy from earlier seemed trivial now, replaced by a sense of compassion and understanding. She sat down beside her mother, taking the picture from her hand and holding it gently. "It's okay, Mom," she said softly. "I'm here for you."

The two sat in silence for a moment, holding the picture, lost in their own thoughts, but connected in their grief and love for the brother and son they've lost.