Regina stood on the expansive front steps of her childhood home in Evanston, Illinois. The grand, two-story house with its ornate columns and manicured lawns brought back a flood of memories. She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell, feeling a mixture of nostalgia and apprehension. Moments later, the door swung open to reveal her mother, June George, with a warm smile that instantly made Regina feel a bit lighter.

"Regina, sweetheart!" June exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. "It's so good to see you. How have you been?"

Regina returned the embrace, feeling the tension of the past months start to ease. "I've been okay, Mom. It's been a tough few months, but I'm getting through it."

June held her at arm's length, examining her closely. "Well, you're here now, and that's what matters. Come inside. I made your favorite—lasagna."

As Regina stepped into the house, the comforting scents of home-cooked food and the familiar ambiance enveloped her. She followed her mother into the kitchen, where the table was already set with elegant china and silverware.

"Sit down, honey. Tell me everything," June said, her voice full of concern and love.

Over dinner, Regina shared bits and pieces of her life, carefully avoiding the most painful details of her recent experiences. June listened intently, offering supportive words and occasional advice. Despite the comforting atmosphere, Regina felt a lingering unease, an underlying anxiety she couldn't quite shake off.

The next morning, Regina decided to take a walk around her old neighborhood. The air was crisp, and the sun cast a warm glow over the tree-lined streets. As she walked, she was hit by a wave of nostalgia. Every corner, every house held a memory. She passed by her old school and remembered the friends she had made, the games she had played, and the lessons she had learned.

Lost in thought, Regina didn't notice the yellow school bus until it was too late. The sight of it brought a sudden, overwhelming flashback. She was transported back to that fateful day in high school when she was hit by a similar bus, an event that had left both physical and emotional scars.

The sound of children laughing and the bus's engine roared in her ears, blending into a cacophony of panic. Regina's heart raced, her breath quickened, and she felt the ground sway beneath her. She clutched at her chest, desperately trying to steady herself.

"Regina? Regina, are you okay?" a concerned voice broke through the haze. A neighbor had noticed her distress and rushed over.

Regina nodded weakly, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just...a little overwhelmed."

But she knew she wasn't fine. The flashback had shaken her to the core, and she needed help. As soon as she could, she hurried back to her mother's house and went straight to her room. With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone and booked an emergency online session with her therapist, Grace.

Later that evening, Regina sat at her desk, her laptop open in front of her. The familiar face of Grace appeared on the screen, her eyes filled with concern.

"Regina, it's good to see you. How are you holding up?" Grace asked gently.

Regina took a deep breath, her voice wavering. "I'm not doing so well, Grace. I had a really bad flashback today. I thought I was over it, but...I guess I'm not."

Grace nodded understandingly. "Flashbacks can be very powerful, and they often come when we least expect them. It's important to acknowledge them and work through the emotions they bring up. Can you tell me more about what happened?"

Regina recounted the experience, her voice trembling as she described the sudden panic and fear. Grace listened intently, her expression one of empathy and support.

"It's understandable that seeing the school bus would trigger such a strong reaction," Grace said softly. "You've been through a lot, Regina. It's okay to feel overwhelmed. What's important is how we deal with these feelings."

Regina nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I just feel so...helpless sometimes. Like I'm never going to get past this."

Grace's voice was soothing. "Healing is a process, and it's not always linear. You've made incredible progress, Regina, but there will be setbacks. The key is to be kind to yourself and to use the tools we've talked about to manage these moments."

Regina took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I know you're right. It's just hard to remember that when I'm in the middle of it."

"That's completely normal," Grace assured her. "But you're not alone in this. You have a support system, and you have me. We'll get through this together. Let's do a grounding exercise to help bring you back to the present."

Regina followed Grace's instructions, focusing on her breathing and the sensations around her. Slowly, she felt the panic subside, replaced by a sense of calm.

"Thank you, Grace," Regina said quietly. "I really needed this."

"Anytime, Regina," Grace replied with a warm smile. "Remember, you're stronger than you think. Take it one day at a time, and don't hesitate to reach out whenever you need support."

As the session ended, Regina felt a renewed sense of hope. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with Grace's guidance and the support of her friends and family, she felt more equipped to face the obstacles. She closed her laptop, feeling a sense of gratitude for the people who stood by her side, and determined to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

The next morning, Regina woke up feeling a mix of emotions. The previous day's flashback and her session with Grace had left her drained, but also with a sense of cautious optimism. She decided to take another walk, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind.

She strolled through downtown Evanston, the familiar sights and sounds bringing back a flood of memories. As she passed by a quaint café, she decided to stop in for a coffee. She pushed open the door, and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted her.

As she stood in line, Regina scanned the room, her eyes suddenly landing on a familiar face. Aaron Samuels, her ex-boyfriend from high school, was sitting at a corner table. He looked up, and their eyes met. A look of surprise crossed his face, and he gave her a tentative smile.

Regina hesitated for a moment, then decided to approach him. She hadn't seen Aaron in years, and though their breakup had been mutual, it still felt strange to see him again.

"Hey, Aaron," she said, trying to sound casual.

"Regina, wow, it's been a long time," Aaron replied, standing up to give her a hug. "How have you been?"

"I'm good," Regina said, returning the hug. "Just visiting my mom. How about you?"

Before Aaron could respond, a woman joined them, placing a hand on Aaron's shoulder. She was petite, with dark hair and a kind smile, but what caught Regina's attention was her pregnant belly.

"Regina, this is my girlfriend, Emily," Aaron introduced. "Emily, this is Regina, an old friend from high school."

Emily smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Regina."

Regina forced a smile, trying to process the situation. "Nice to meet you too, Emily."

As they exchanged pleasantries, Regina couldn't help but notice the timeline in her mind. Aaron and Cady had broken up only two weeks ago, yet Emily appeared to be well into her pregnancy. The pieces didn't fit, and Regina's curiosity got the better of her.

"Emily, how far along are you?" Regina asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Emily glanced at Aaron, who looked slightly uncomfortable. "I'm about seven months," she said, smiling.

Regina's eyebrows shot up, and she turned to Aaron. "Seven months? But... Aaron, you and Cady broke up just two weeks ago."

Aaron sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, it's a long story."

Regina crossed her arms, feeling a mix of emotions—concern for Cady, curiosity about Aaron's situation, and a hint of betrayal. "I think I deserve to know what happened, Aaron."

Aaron nodded, looking resigned. "Yeah, I guess you do. Do you want to sit down?"

Regina nodded, and they all sat at the table. Emily seemed supportive, squeezing Aaron's hand as he began to explain.

"Emily and I met about eight months ago, right after Cady and I started having problems. We didn't plan for this to happen, but... well, things got complicated. I found out Emily was pregnant about two months ago, and it forced me to confront some truths about my relationship with Cady."

Regina listened, trying to keep her emotions in check. "So, you and Cady were having problems for a while?"

Aaron nodded. "Yeah, we were. It just wasn't working anymore. We were fighting all the time, and I guess I started to drift away. I met Emily at a work event, and we just... connected."

Regina glanced at Emily, who looked sympathetic but didn't say anything. "And Cady? Does she know about all this?"

Aaron nodded again, looking pained. "She does. It was one of the reasons we broke up. I told her about Emily and the baby. She was devastated, and I felt horrible, but I couldn't lie to her anymore."

Regina sighed, feeling a mix of anger and sadness for Cady. "I can't believe you did that to her, Aaron. She didn't deserve to be hurt like that."

Aaron looked down, his expression filled with regret. "I know, Regina. I know. I made a lot of mistakes, and I'm trying to make things right. Emily and I are working through it, and we're trying to build a life together."

Regina nodded, trying to process everything. "I hope you do, Aaron. I hope you find happiness, and I hope Cady does too."

Emily smiled softly, looking at Regina with understanding. "Thank you, Regina. I know this isn't easy to hear, but I appreciate you listening."

Regina forced a smile, feeling a bit numb. "Yeah, well, I guess life is full of surprises."

Aaron leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Regina, I know you'll keep Cady safe. I trust you."

Regina's eyes widened, her heart pounding. "What? I mean, we're not... It's not like that, Aaron."

Aaron gave her a knowing look, a small smile playing on his lips. "I knew you loved her in high school, Regina. I was stupid, not blind."

Regina felt her face flush, her emotions swirling. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Aaron's words had struck a chord deep within her, bringing up feelings she had buried for years.

"I... I don't know what to say," Regina finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aaron shrugged, still smiling. "You don't have to say anything. Just be there for her, okay?"

Regina nodded, her mind racing. "Okay, Aaron. I will."

As they finished their conversation, Regina felt a strange sense of closure. Seeing Aaron with Emily, hearing the truth about his breakup with Cady—it was a lot to take in, but it also made her realize how much she had changed. She wasn't the same person she was in high school. She had grown, faced her demons, and come out stronger.

As she left the café, Regina took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. She still had a lot to work through, but she knew she was on the right path. And no matter what surprises life threw her way, she was ready to face them head-on.

Sorry it took so long to update, it has been a very hard few weeks. I had a falling out in my friend group at college, this girl I was friends with flipped out on me and a few other of my friends for no apparent reason, and then she reported us to the college because we asked her to stop being rude to us. Either way, she reported us saying we were bullying her, and as there was no proof ( because there was no bullying) we didn't get into trouble, however, the threat of being kicked out of college was very real and it was a scary and stressful situation. 

On a happier note, I feel confident in my ability to pass my GCSE maths the second time around, the paper was good this year and I have 2 exams left this year which is nice, all my health and social resits are complete which is a massive relief. 

Now, I'll stop ranting, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.