"I woke up today, staring into the same face that has always greeted me—the face etched with the memories of a troubled past and endless pain. I never really thought that my reflection would magically transform overnight, erasing the version of myself that has endured so much.
Yet, deep down, I prayed that I wouldn't have to face the same tragedies in this life.
Each morning, it's a struggle to rise, weighed down by this familiar visage and the terror that consumes me daily. It's not just my face that I loathe; it's the ghosts of those who hurt me, their faces seared into my memory, faces I never want to see again.
The scars of my suffering are still visible on my back and shoulders, constant reminders of the life I once lived.
Somehow, despite it all, something within me—maybe it's my serotonin—drives me to change my fate. I'm grateful to the Lord for making it through the 8395th day of my life. Having Liam and Warrin by my side makes things bearable; we're known around campus as the WLS (which is pronounced as WALLS).
Despite the darkness of my past, life has been kind recently, barring a minor heart attack scare three years ago when I almost ran into the man I've dreaded seeing again. He looked eerily similar to the new guy at the gym, and for a moment, my world stopped. Thankfully, it wasn't him.
That day, I made a vow and have prayed every day since for God to call me to heaven without ever crossing paths with that person again. I won't even speak his name.
This journey has been fraught with pain, but it's also been marked by resilience, hope, and the unyielding support of friends. Here's to facing another day, with a heart still full of dreams and a spirit unbroken."
After closing her journal, Summer slipped back under the duvet, letting the pages of her heartache and hopes rest beside her. She swallowed her tears, feeling their salty sting linger in her throat.
In a world where anxiety was her constant companion, she found rare moments of peace when she drifted into the sanctuary of her dreams.
But tonight, even her dreams seemed elusive. She lay there shivering, a stark contrast to the beads of sweat that clung to her forehead. Perhaps fortune had never really favored her.
"No, I want to go... Please let me go." She twisted and turned in her bed, the desperate plea echoing through her dreams. The soft light of dawn crept through the window, casting a warm orange hue across the room. With a sudden, sharp breath, Summer jolted awake.
"Why?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, laced with frustration and sorrow. "My dreams are the only escape I have left. Why did you have to follow me here too?" She cradled her head in her hands, feeling the weight of her waking reality crash down on her shoulders.
Summer stared at her phone, dragging herself to her feet with a groan. She knew she had plenty of time before the sun made its appearance, but sleep was out of reach now that a certain someone had started haunting her dreams.
Like any other day, she headed to the shower.
Seeing her reflection in the mirror, she let out a weary sigh. "Summer, your face hasn't changed," she muttered to herself. Washing her face, she tried to shake off the weight of the past.
As if to reinforce her resolve, she splashed her face with water, almost angrily. "It won't change," she reminded herself, the words hanging heavy in the steamy bathroom air.
The ghosts of yesterday clung to her, but today was a new day, and she was determined to face it head-on, no matter how painful it might be.
Explaining to her brother that she had early classes, she headed out the door while the sky was still painted in the soft hues of dawn. Seeking refuge from the biting chill, Summer decided to drop by Liam's place, knowing it was just around the corner.
With her hoodie pulled low over her face, she buried her hands deep into her pockets, shielding herself from the cold morning air. As she walked, she caught sight of the bus gliding by, its windows misted over with fog, blurring the world outside. The bus, no doubt, was making its usual rounds to the college.
For a moment, she felt a pang of loneliness, a fleeting wish that she could be on that bus instead of braving the cold morning on foot.
Yet, there was something comforting about the solitude, a quiet promise that this day, like every other, held its own hidden warmth and unexpected joys.
After pulling out her phone and scrolling through her contacts, Summer dialed Liam's number. "Open up, I'm outside your door," she announced. The hurried footsteps and the sight of a breathless, partially dressed Liam behind the door made it clear that Summer's arrival was unexpected. "You're not even ready?" she teased.
"Summer, it's 7:30. Our class doesn't start until 10. What's going on?"
"Well, good morning to you too," she replied with an annoyed face. After greeting Liam's parents, she made her way to his room. "I couldn't sleep," she confessed.
"So, you decided to ruin mine?" he quipped, crossing his arms and giving her a mock-serious look.
"Oh, come on. Don't be such a baby," she laughed. With a playful glint in her eye, she nudged the taller boy towards the restroom. "Go get ready. Let's head over to Warrin."
As Liam stumbled in the direction she pushed him, he couldn't help but smile. Summer's spontaneity and the way she brightened up the morning was something he cherished, even if it meant an early wake-up call. Their friendship, full of these little moments, was what made their bond so special.
"I think he's dozing off," Liam muttered when Warrin didn't answer the fourth call. With a sigh, Summer dashed to the front door and rang the bell. "What are you doing, Summer?" Liam hissed, his large frame towering over her petite one.
As they bickered, the door swung open to reveal a stunning young woman, her smile warm and welcoming, she was Warrin's mother.
"Summer, Liam... You're here so early. Warrin's still asleep," she said softly, stepping aside to let them in. "Go on up to his room. I'll get breakfast ready." With a gracious nod, she ushered them inside.
Liam and Summer made their way to Warrin's room and kicked the door open with a loud bang, jolting Warrin awake.
"Guys, what the hell?"
"You can't get away with it, she ruined my sleep," Liam grumbled, but his tone softened when he looked at Summer. It only took one glance to see that something was weighing on her mind.