ronic about how life

't know. The air smelled like chalk, heat, and oblivion. But I wasn't ok

ed longer t

ered as I

ered, freshly braided, and

m a late lecture and found the other bed empty. Her clothes, shoes, makeup-g

dbye. But she made sure to leave behind one

followed my heart. You s

cry. I tore it into tiny pieces and flushed t

verse had o

anyone would be there. I considered skipping it, but my mentor, Mr. Steve, had recommended me for a panel di

ut something inside

I d

al makeup. Bold red lipstick. Th

tella

king, like he expected me to bre

t. I smiled

r my turn

p, heels clicking on tiled floors, h

k the

day, I want to talk about something that most people do

om sti

Yes to friends. Yes to pressure. Yes to trends. But I've learned tha

aus

doing what everyone else does. It comes from stand

enc

th my chin high, not because I felt victorious, b

table, I overheard someone say, "She's acting so strong. If

er fol

ate with sharp cheekbones and sharper words.

idn

up of orange juice and w

w Jason-waiting, h

wa.

ped wa

" he begged.

hing to say

t I need you to

. Then sigh

u. Stella-she was just... there. You kept pushing m

ht sleeping with my best

away. "I w

were re

touch my hand, b

n't

care abou

ed about yourself. You wanted the reward of a r

to respond, but I tu

ut not because of him. It w

etend

ing s

e betrayal di

eceived a message fro

concern you. Keep your mouth

roz

hre

reen. Was this ran

ed again-anot

agile. Lose it, and y

ds tre

was

id the

and curled into my blanket, heart pound

erab

t was headed. That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept t

carry is f

And why did it feel like