shadows of Truth

The night was quiet. Too quiet. Nadia Brooks stood at her bedroom window, watching the wind push the tree branches back and forth. It felt like the whole world was holding its breath. She couldn't explain it, but something didn't feel right. Ever since she was little, she'd had the same strange feeling. Like someone—or something—was watching her. She shook her head and stepped away from the window. "You're just imagining things," she whispered to herself. Downstairs, her dad called, "Nadia! Dinner's ready!" "I'm coming!" she answered, forcing a smile. Nadia walked downstairs and found her dad waiting in the kitchen. "Here you go," Alex said, handing her a plate of food. "Thanks, Dad." Nadia smiled as she took it. She sat down at the table, but before she could take a bite, something caught her eye. A picture. It was hanging on the wall across from her. A woman with a warm smile stared back at her. Nadia looked at it for a moment. "Dad?" "Yeah?" "What was Mom like?" Alex paused. He looked at the picture for just a second before answering. "She was amazing." Nadia smiled softly. "What else was she like?" Alex looked down at his food. "She was funny. Kind. She loved you more than anything." Then he quickly changed the subject. "So... how was school today?" Nadia's eyes filled with frustration. "Why do you always do that?" she asked. Alex looked up. "Do what?" "Change the subject!" Nadia snapped. "Why won't you tell me about my own mother?" Alex opened his mouth, but no words came out. Nadia pushed her chair back. "Forget it." She stormed upstairs to her room and slammed the door behind her. The next morning, Nadia woke up to a soft knock on her bedroom door. "Nadia?" She stayed quiet. Another knock. "I made you breakfast," Alex said from the other side of the door. Nadia sat up in bed. She was still upset about last night. "Okay," she finally said. Alex opened the door slightly, holding a plate of breakfast. "I thought maybe we could start over." Nadia looked at him. "Are you going to tell me about Mom?" Alex paused. "Maybe we can just eat first." Nadia sighed. She could tell he was trying. He just wasn't doing a very good job. Nadia looked at him. "Why don't you ever talk about Mom?" she asked. "It's like she was never here." Alex's expression changed. For a moment, he didn't say anything. Then he looked down at the plate in his hands. "She was here," he said quietly. "More than you know." Nadia stared at him. "What does that mean?" Alex looked at her, almost like he wanted to tell her something. But then he shook his head. "You're going to be late." Nadia sighed. "Of course." She took the plate from him and set it on her desk. "Thanks for breakfast." Alex gave her a small smile. "You're welcome." Nadia grabbed her backpack and headed downstairs. A few minutes later, she walked out the front door and started toward school, still thinking about what her dad had said. More than you know. She couldn't stop wondering what he meant. The bell rang, signaling lunchtime. Nadia was walking toward the cafeteria when she heard someone calling her name. "Nadia! Nadia!" She turned around and saw Clara running toward her. Nadia giggled. "What's happening, Clara?" Clara stopped in front of her, practically bouncing with excitement. "Jayden asked me out!" Nadia's eyes widened, and she smiled. "That's so cool! I'm so happy for you!" Clara spun around in excitement. Nadia laughed. Clara had always been like this. They had been best friends since they were three years old, and somehow, Clara had always found a way to turn even the smallest thing into a huge adventure. "Okay, okay," Nadia said, laughing. "Tell me everything!" Clara sat down beside Nadia at their usual table. "Okay, so you have to hear the whole story," Clara said. Nadia laughed. "I knew you were going to say that." Clara leaned closer. "So, I was walking to class, and Jayden came up to me. Then he asked if I wanted to go out with him!" Nadia smiled. "Clara, that's so cute." "I know!" Clara said, grinning. Nadia laughed, but her smile slowly faded. Clara noticed. "What's wrong?" Nadia looked down at her food. "It's my dad. And my mom." Clara's expression softened. "What happened?" "My dad won't talk about her. I asked him what she was like, and he just changed the subject." Clara was quiet for a moment. "Maybe it's still hard for him." "I know," Nadia said. "But I want to know who she was." Clara gave Nadia a small smile. "You will someday." Nadia nodded, but she still couldn't stop thinking about her mom.The next day, Clara was hanging out at Nadia's house. The two girls sat on Nadia's bed, talking and laughing about school. Suddenly, Clara's phone rang. She looked at the screen. “It's Jayden.” Nadia smiled. “Go ahead. Answer it.” Clara answered the phone. “Hey, Jayden.” They talked for a minute before Clara hung up. Nadia raised an eyebrow. “So?” “He just wanted to say hi,” Clara said, trying not to smile. Nadia laughed. “Sure.” Clara grabbed a pillow and tossed it at her. “Okay, enough about Jayden!” Nadia caught the pillow, laughing. “What do you want to do?” Clara asked. “Let's go to the mall,” Nadia suggested. Clara smiled. “Yes!” A little while later, the girls arrived at the mall. They walked around, laughing and looking at the different stores. Then Nadia suddenly stopped. She spotted Tessa. Tessa had been bullying girls since middle school, and Nadia knew better than to get too close to her. “Clara, Clara,” Nadia whispered quickly. “Go, go, go! That way. Turn around, turn around!” Clara looked confused. “What?” “Just turn around!” But it was too late. Tessa had already noticed them. She smirked and walked toward them. “Oh, look who it is.” Nadia glared at her. “What do you want, Tessa?” “Don't get mad,” Tessa said with a smirk. “Someone's angry.” Clara stepped forward. “Just go away, Tessa. Nobody wants you here.” Tessa's smirk grew. “Oh, you're mad too?” Clara rolled her eyes. “Let's go, Nadia.” “Yeah. Let's go.” Nadia turned to leave, but Tessa grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “I wasn't done talking.” Nadia pulled her arm away. “Don't touch me, Tessa.” Clara looked at Tessa. “Go away. Just leave us alone. You have nothing better to do, and it shows.” Tessa's expression changed. “Just leave us alone for once in your life,” Nadia said angrily. “I'll leave you alone when I'm ready,” Tessa snapped. Nadia's anger boiled over. She suddenly threw the first punch. Tessa stumbled back, then quickly pushed Nadia away. Nadia stepped forward again, and the two girls started struggling with each other. “Stop!” Clara yelled. “Nadia, just leave it alone! Let's go home!” Neither girl listened. They continued arguing and shoving until a mall security guard rushed over and separated them. “That's enough! Both of you, stop!” Nadia and Tessa stood apart, glaring at each other. “You can't be doing this here,” the security guard said. “I'm calling your parents.” Nadia's heart sank. A little while later, Alex arrived. He looked at Nadia with disappointment. “Come on. We're going home.” Clara quietly followed them to the car. Alex drove Clara home first. Then he and Nadia continued home in silence. Nadia knew she was in serious trouble.