The hall was full.
Students.
Families.
Faculty.
Important dignitaries.
And more than that—
People listening.
Waiting.
Nia stood behind the podium.
For a second—
Her fingers rested lightly against the edge.
Not shaking.
Not nervous.
Just… steady.
She took a breath.
Looked up.
And began.
“I wasn’t always like this,” she said.
Her voice carried.
Clear.
“There was a time I thought I had everything under control.”
A small pause.
“But I didn’t.”
Silence filled the room.
“I told myself I was fine,” she continued. “Even when I wasn’t.”
Her gaze moved across the audience.
“I tried to fix things the wrong way.”
"the way of drugs"
Another pause.
“I thought if I took one… it would help.”
She swallowed slightly.
“But one didn’t stay one.”
Her voice softened—but didn’t br
