Aura leaned against the kitchen counter, her arms crossed as she stared at her notebook. The page was filled with ideas, scratched-out phrases, and hastily scribbled arrows pointing to various activities. She tapped her pen against the paper, her frustration building.
Marcus, Rachel, and Jake sat around the table, sharing snacks and offering occasional suggestions. They were all Leo's old college friends, though time and distance had made their bonds feel fragile. Aura hoped this plan would rekindle those connections.
"He's barely leaving his room," Aura said, pacing the floor. "Even if he does come out, it's like he's not really there. I don't want to scare him off by pushing too hard."
Rachel reached for a cookie and shrugged. "What about just hanging out? Something low-pressure. Like a game night."
Jake grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, remember how competitive he used to get? He couldn't let anyone win at Settlers of Catan. He'd argue over the dumbest trades for hours."
Aura allowed herself a small smile. "He was relentless. But I don't know if he'd even join us right now."
Marcus, ever the pragmatic one, adjusted his glasses. "The key isn't just getting him out of his room. It's giving him a reason to want to come out. What if we remind him of what he loves? Nostalgia can be a powerful motivator."
"Like old memories?" Aura asked, her pen poised over the page.
"Exactly," Marcus said. "Bring up shared moments. Let him feel like it's safe to reconnect, without judgment."
Jake sat forward, his expression suddenly serious. "I think we should try something more physical too. A hike, maybe? He used to love nature, right?"
Aura's eyebrows lifted. "A hike could work. But we need to ease into it. Start with the game night."
By the time the evening ended, the group had a rough plan: a series of casual, fun activities designed to remind Leo of who he used to be - who he still was beneath the layers of pain. Aura felt a small flicker of hope. For the first time in months, she wasn't trying to carry this weight alone.