Out of Reach: The Love I Left Behind
839 Views · Ongoing · Daisy Swift
Beneath the sprawling oaks of Bramblewood University, my parents hovered like proud paparazzi. In the center of their screens stood Liora, my childhood best friend, and Kael—my boyfriend of four years.
They stood pressed together, Liora's blonde curls brushing Kael's jawline. My parents shouted directions with absolute adoration. You'd think she was their flesh and blood, or the one wearing his promise ring.
I waited in the periphery for twenty minutes. Just one photo. That was all I asked. But my mother's eyes never left her glowing screen, completely blind to her real daughter suffocating in the shadows.
"I still haven't heard back from any firms," Liora sighed, slipping into a practiced pout.
Kael's focus instantly snapped to her. "Hey, don't stress. You can always work at my agency. I'll make sure you're taken care of."
"Send me your resume tonight, Leo," my dad chimed in eagerly. "Your first job sets the tone for your career. You absolutely cannot settle."
Before I could speak, my older brother, Joren, jogged across the lawn. He breezed right past me, zeroing in on Liora. "Don't panic about the job hunt," he promised. "My department is expanding next week. I'll personally fast-track your application to the top."
They stood pressed together, Liora's blonde curls brushing Kael's jawline. My parents shouted directions with absolute adoration. You'd think she was their flesh and blood, or the one wearing his promise ring.
I waited in the periphery for twenty minutes. Just one photo. That was all I asked. But my mother's eyes never left her glowing screen, completely blind to her real daughter suffocating in the shadows.
"I still haven't heard back from any firms," Liora sighed, slipping into a practiced pout.
Kael's focus instantly snapped to her. "Hey, don't stress. You can always work at my agency. I'll make sure you're taken care of."
"Send me your resume tonight, Leo," my dad chimed in eagerly. "Your first job sets the tone for your career. You absolutely cannot settle."
Before I could speak, my older brother, Joren, jogged across the lawn. He breezed right past me, zeroing in on Liora. "Don't panic about the job hunt," he promised. "My department is expanding next week. I'll personally fast-track your application to the top."
















































