Overwhelmed with stress, I reached out to Ryan, but found his phone off. Time was slipping away; it was 8:15 am, and my biology class was at 9:00 am. In a flurry, I prepared and left without breakfast, driving through heavy traffic. My mind was clouded with despair, yet I clung to the hope that academics might offer a distraction. However, I recognized a deeper issue at play—I needed support.
I managed to reach college just before class, finding a spot next to Miea, the new transfer student.
Miea’s curiosity about my life felt intrusive. Her questions about my happiness and aspirations seemed sincere, yet I was reluctant to open up. I felt isolated, as if no one truly understood or cared for me.
I approached the seat beside Miea with a heavy heart, ignoring her greeting. Distraction was
