• Damaged

    “What if I am damaged?  Damaged and I am not sure why.  Or how.  And how can I fix anything about myself when I don’t know what I need to be fixing or how.”  Paige rambled as she paced and I didn’t know how long I could listen.  Paige went through this monologue at least…

  • Prada

    I knew on the surface Ashley wasn’t the friend I needed or the friend who could help.  “You know, the last time I went there, nothing I could screamed at me, you know?  Nothing was calling my name.  Nothing made me want to take it home.”  I watched Ashley straighten her hair with what I…

  • Influencer

    I was always looking for shortcuts and ways to work less hours in the week.  I didn’t want to spend all my days talking to people I didn’t like and doing things I didn’t want to.  I didn’t want to spend time with people who didn’t light my life on fire.  If you were boring…

  • In My Next Life

    I knew my life would never be the same once I had to leave. Everything I knew and loved was at this beach and because of unforeseen circumstances, I could no longer stay. I knew it was partially my fault, but I also knew that if Steve hadn’t reacted the way he did, I would…

  • Decorating Dreams

    “The kids are out riding their bikes.  We have about twenty minutes before they come home.  What should we do first?”  I looked at my uncle and wondered what he would say.  I kind of was hoping he wouldn’t say anything and I could do everything by myself.  I knew Stan meant well, but his…

  • The Crush

    “I want to get to know you, but every time I try, you disappear.  Every time I stop by and know you’re home, you don’t answer.”  I quickly deleted the email before I hit send.  I knew I couldn’t send Jared another desperate email.  The phrase of “it can only get better from here” flashed…

  • Cold Wind

    The cold wind surrounded me like the grief I felt.  I knew eventually the fog would lift, but I wanted it to lift sooner rather than later.  Until then I would sit outside and watch my screams run away with the wind.  “I thought you might be still out here.”  I almost jumped out of…

  • The Courtyard

    My grandfather’s courtyard was the only place where I truly felt at peace.  I spent at least one week at my grandfather’s house every summer, and if I was lucky, an entire month.  My dad disappeared from my life when I was seven and only came around once in a blue moon.  My grandparents stepped…

  • Runaway

    I knew I would leave town the second I got a drink thrown in my face.  All I could do to not react and to throw a fit was to know I was not going to be here much longer.  With my relationship with my parents essentially over, I had nothing tying me to Florida. …

  • Cringeworthy

    Matthew always considered himself to be a verbal ninja, but every time I heard him talk, all I wanted to do was cringe.  I had trained myself to stay away from the full body cringe.  “You know, I’d never thought I’d see you in a place like this.”  I heard Matthew’s voice from behind me and…