Hi, I'm Sycamore!
You're probably wondering what kind of name that is, right? Honestly, I wonder the same thing. My parents had a whole story behind it, and I suppose it's sweet in its own way. They told me I was born about four weeks earlier than planned. It was a chaotic time—apparently, there were complications, and I was on the verge of needing to be incubated. But then, as they put it, "an intervention" happened, and I was miraculously fine.
So, they named me Sycamore. Yep, like the tree. The sycamore tree is supposed to symbolize protection from negative energies and malevolent spirits, as well as spiritual guidance. A lovely sentiment, really. But if you ask me, they could've just named me something normal like Sarah or Jessica. Still, that's their cup of tea, not mine!
Now that we've gotten the story behind my name out of the way, let me tell you a bit more about myself. I'm the firstborn in a family of five kids—or, well, four now. My youngest sibling passed away, and while it's a painful topic, I'd rather not dwell on it here. Let's just say it left a hole in our family that no one's been able to fill.
Growing up, life wasn't easy, but it wasn't bad either. My parents are lovely people who did everything they could to provide for us. After secondary school, though, their finances couldn't stretch far enough to sponsor my education. So, I started working odd jobs to help out. I didn't mind—I loved my family, and I wanted to contribute.
But after four years of working in Stova, our small hometown, I decided it was time for a change. Stova was peaceful, almost too peaceful. Everyone knew everyone, and while that was comforting, it also felt stifling. I wanted more for myself. So, I packed my bags and moved to Tempest Town. The plan? Find better opportunities, go back to school, and build a life that I could be proud of.
Spoiler alert: life in Tempest hasn't exactly been a fairytale.
To say it's been challenging would be the understatement of the century. Moving to Tempest was like jumping into a whirlwind of ups and downs. Back in Stova, people were kinder—or maybe just more familiar. Here in Tempest, everything's faster, louder, and harsher. I wasn't prepared for the troubles, insults, and outright degradation I'd have to endure.
Thinking back to when I first came to Tempest, I remember the one man I thought truly loved me—until he revealed his true colors. Two months into the relationship, he changed. He became crude and dismissive, throwing hurtful comments about my size and how I wasn't as fair as other girls.
He'd slap me and claim he just felt like it. He'd force himself on me, saying he had every right to take what was his. And then there were the nights he brought strangers home and slept with them in our bed, right in front of me. He'd hit and insult me in public malls, restaurant parties and club without a care for who was watching.
The final fight that drove me out of his life is one I don't even want to revisit. It's so depressing
Thankfully, I wasn't entirely alone. I moved in with a friend, Joan - I'd known since we were kids. Her family had come to Stova for the holidays when we were 12 years old, and we'd kept in touch ever since. She was the one who convinced me to move to Tempest in the first place, promising me better opportunities and higher pay.
And, well, she wasn't wrong. I do make more money here. But at what cost?
Every day feels like a battle. The city has this way of swallowing you whole, making you feel small and insignificant. People here don't mince their words; they'll insult you to your face and expect you to thank them for it. And let's not even get started on the body shaming and unsolicited "advice" from strangers. It's like I have a sign on my forehead that says, "Feel free to comment on my weight!"
I've worked countless jobs since I got here. Cleaning houses, washing dishes, scrubbing refrigerators, and even babysitting for some of the most entitled people I've ever met. The work is hard, but I push through it because I need the money.
But you know what's funny? My name.
Remember how it's supposed to ward off negative energies and malevolent spirits? Yeah, well, someone must've forgotten to tell the universe, because it feels like I've been living under a perpetual cloud of bad luck. Seriously, can't the "protection" part of the sycamore tree kick in already? I'm over here dodging insults, street urchins, and broken dreams like it's an Olympic sport!
Despite everything, though, I try to find moments of humor in my situation. Like, for instance, how I've become an expert at defrosting refrigerators. Did you know there's a "right" way to do it? Neither did I, until one of my employers gave me a 30-minute lecture on the subject. Or how about the time I made scrambled eggs for a family and got yelled at because they wanted an omelet instead? Newsflash: an omelet is just fancy scrambled eggs.
I laugh because, honestly, what else can I do?
There are days when I miss Stova so much it hurts. I miss the quiet streets, the familiar faces, and the way life felt simpler. But then I remind myself why I left in the first place. I wanted more. More opportunities, more growth, more independence. And even though Tempest has thrown more challenges my way than I ever imagined, I can't deny that it's also made me stronger.
I'm still figuring things out. Some days are better than others. On the good days, I feel like I'm making progress, like I'm one step closer to the life I've always dreamed of. On the bad days, I question everything—my choices, my abilities, even my worth. But through it all, I keep going.
Because here's the thing: I may not believe in miracles, but I do believe in myself.
And maybe that's enough.
So, here I am—Sycamore, the girl with the tree-inspired name, trying to survive and thrive in a world that seems determined to break her spirit. My journey isn't perfect, but it's mine. And who knows? Maybe one day, I'll look back on all of this and laugh.
For now, I'll keep moving forward, one step at a time. Because as tough as life in Tempest is, I'm tougher. And no amount of negativity—spirits or otherwise can meddle in my life.