Fireworks
CHAPTER 122
VIOLET
My eyes flickered open, taking in the sight of a wall collage filled with photographs, vibrant postcards, and quirky inspirational quotes scrawled in colorful lettering. It was strange—too bright and cheery for my usual muted walls. Could mom possibly come overnight to redecorate? No it seemed absurd
Then it hit me.
Boston.
I wasn’t home. The familiar ache in my chest returned as I remembered everything—the car ride, the goodbyes, and now, waking up in Aunt Rosa’s guest room.
A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Violet, are you up?” Aunt Rosa’s voice came through, cheerful as ever.
“Yeah,” I called back, sitting up and running a hand through my hair.
The door creaked open, and she peeked inside, her smile warm. “Good morning! I hope you slept well. Once you’re ready, come down for breakfast. Afterward, I was thinking we could go see the fireworks later—if you’re interested.”
“Fireworks?” I blinked a bit surprised
“ Yes, they’re part of a special celebration happening today. It’s the Boston Riverfront Fireworks Celebration. It’s an annual tradition—celebrating the coming of winter, the harvest season, and just the city coming together” She explained
“Uh, sure,” I mumbled, trying to sound more enthusiastic than I felt. “I haven't seen fireworks in so long”
Her eyes softened, as if she could sense my hesitation. “No pressure. Just thought it might be fun to get out and do something. Think about it, okay?”
“Okay.”
With that, she left, her footsteps fading down the hall. I glanced at my phone, hoping for a message from Ryan. The blank screen mocked me. Not even a single text. I sent him a text last night which he hadn't opened yet. Maybe he's not up yet.
I sighed, throwing the blanket off and making my way to the small dresser where I had unpacked my clothes last night. I had promised myself I would try—try to be present, try to adjust, try to move forward. But the knot in my stomach refused to loosen.
With a deep breath, I turned and made my way to the bathroom. I didn’t want to keep Aunt Rosa waiting, even though my heart wasn’t fully in it. I quickly showered, letting the warm water wash over me, and as I dressed, I tried to pull myself together. A soft sweater and jeans would have to do. I brushed through my hair, but it didn’t hold the same shine it had the night before. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or the mental exhaustion, but it looked dull to me now.
After a quick glance in the mirror, I pulled on my sneakers and left the bathroom, hoping that the change of scenery would help ease some of the tension.
Downstairs, Aunt Rosa was bustling around the kitchen. She greeted me with a smile, dishing out a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.
“I see you're ready” she said taking in my sight.
“Yes. I'd be going” I replied, returning her smile.
"Alright. Breakfast is ready. Eat up, and we’ll head out soon for the parade."
I sat down at the table, the smell of eggs filling the air as I forced it down my throat.
\---
Thirty minutes later, we're at the parade. The streets of Boston were alive with energy, buzzing with people eager to celebrate. American flags waved from every corner, and the scent of popcorn, cotton candy, and hot dogs lingered in the air. We parked nearly nine blocks away, the sidewalks packed with families and tourists heading to the festivities. Despite the crowd, Claire and Mia were bubbling with excitement, Claire skipping ahead, and Mia blabbering about the event to her mom.
As we walked the distance to Main Street, I could feel the weight of the city’s energy pressing in on me. The streets were blocked off for the event, and the usual humdrum of cars was replaced with marching bands, street vendors, and people adorned in festive red, white, and blue.
We found a spot near the end of the street, close to the barricades. The parade was about to start, and the crowd around us had already settled in, their excitement palpable. I stood with Aunt Rosa, Claire, and Mia, trying to pretend like I was caught up in the festivities too, but my thoughts kept drifting.
From where we stood, the parade finale would be an incredible view. But all I could think about was Ryan. How is he doing? Why hadn't he replied to all my texts?
I pushed the thought aside. I should only be focusing on one thing– the fireworks
The parade started with an eruption of cheers as the first float rolled by. The vibrant colors of the costumes, the music of the marching bands, and the sparkle in people’s eyes seemed to make the city come alive
And then, just as the parade reached its peak, fireworks lit up the sky. Bursts of red, white, blue, and gold exploded overhead, each one a fleeting moment of beauty
I found myself momentarily captivated, the vibrant colors and the dazzling lights pulling me into the moment.
Claire nudged me gently, her voice full of excitement. "Wow, it's beautiful, right?"
I nodded, my gaze still fixed on the sky. "Yeah, it's... stunning. I don't think I've ever seen fireworks like this before."
She smiled and turned to me. "Really? You’ve never gone to a firework show?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. "I... haven’t really had the chance," I said quietly. "It’s never really been something I did growing up."
Claire’s expression softened, and she leaned in a little closer. "Well, I'm glad you're here to see this. It’s like the whole world is lighting up, isn't it?"
I let out a breath and smiled, genuinely feeling a sense of wonder in the moment. "It really is. It feels... magical."
Claire laughed lightly, her eyes still fixed on the fireworks. "I feel like I'm ten years old again, watching these with my friends. There’s just something so special about it."
I nodded, the loud booms of the fireworks making my chest vibrate with each burst. "I can see why. It’s amazing."
In that moment, my phone buzzed. I glanced down, my heart skipping a beat as I saw a message from an unknown number
Cautiously, I opened it, only to feel the world tilt beneath me. It was a photo
My breath caught in my throat. The fireworks outside faded into the distance, nothing but distant echoes compared to the overwhelming ache in my chest.
It wasn't just a picture but a picture of Ryan, sitting across from Evelyn in a restaurant.
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