Cherreads

Bruised and Healing.

Adelusi_Obakorede
7
chs / week
The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 7 chs / week.
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Synopsis
In "Bruised and Healing," we follow Coral Wilson, a young man grappling with the emotional trauma of past abuse at the hands of a cousin. This haunting experience casts a shadow over his life, making him feel isolated and vulnerable as he navigates the challenges of middle school, where bullying further intensifies his suffering. However, Coral's life takes a turn when he forms a deep friendship with Damien, a fellow student who becomes his refuge. Their bond, along with a supportive group of friends, helps Coral find joy and connection for the first time. As he begins to heal, Coral also develops feelings for Charlie Benson, an intelligent and charming classmate. Their relationship blossoms, filled with laughter and shared dreams, but this newfound happiness is complicated by Coral's past, leading him to grapple with feelings of regret and fear. As Coral confronts his trauma and the complexity of his emotions, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Determined to let go of the pain that has haunted him, he seeks a peaceful life, learning to embrace his worth and the love around him. "Bruised and Healing" is a poignant exploration of resilience, the power of friendship, and the difficult yet essential path to emotional healing.
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Chapter 1 - CHAPTER ONE

 ME!!!!

The extremely loud alarm blares to life, piercing through my peaceful sleep like a siren blaring in my ear, and I groggily reach over to silence it, my hand slapping the clock radio repeatedly until it stops. Grrrrrhh... My eyes flutter open, blinking away the slumber, trying to focus on my colorful bedroom – posters on the wall, soft carpet, comfy bed. But as the sound fades away, a surge of excitement takes its place – like a bubble of joy rising to the surface, filling my heart with happiness. Yay! It's a brand new day, and I'm feeling like a completely new person – reborn, refreshed, renewed, ready to take on the world!

(chuckles) I left my old self go – the self that was lost after a childhood that was almost perfect... until it wasn't, until life threw its curveballs and challenges. The self that struggled to find its place in the world, to fit in with others who seemed to have it together, to make sense of life's ups and downs, twists and turns. And I'm feeling reborn – like a phoenix rising from the ashes, stronger, wiser, and more beautiful, with scars that tell stories of resilience and hope. I'm sure you must be thinking, what's wrong with me? But trust me, it's a good kind of crazy – the kind that inspires creativity, sparks imagination, brings joy to those around me, and makes life worth living!

So, I'm gonna take you on a journey of me – the real me, the honest me, the vulnerable me – and I hope you'll join me – every step of the way, through the highs and lows, twists and turns, ups and downs, and every moment in between.

Hi, my name is Coral Wilson, and this is my world – a world of vibrant color, uplifting music, contagious laughter, and unconditional love that fills my heart and soul. A world where anything is possible – dreams are made, hopes are high, and joy is the language everyone speaks. Where dreams come true – like magic, wishes are granted, and love stories unfold. Where hope never fades – like a beacon of light shining bright, guiding us through life's journey. And where joy is contagious – spreading like wildfire, touching every heart it meets. I'm the third child of a family of six – four children and my parents, two boys and two girls – a lively household full of energy, joy, and love that overflows.

Where family game nights are epic – laughter echoes, memories are made, and traditions are born. Where holiday traditions are cherished – moments are treasured, stories are told, and love is the gift that keeps giving. We're also one of the most influential families in the country – respected by many, known by all, our name is synonymous with kindness and generosity. My parents' kindness and generosity inspired a nation – their love for others sparked a movement, their compassion for the less fortunate created a wave of change.

I always came first in my class – every single time, without fail, my name was always at the top of the list, in bold letters, a symbol of my hard work and dedication – except for that one time when I came second – and that was only because I was sick on exam day, barely able to hold my pencil, let alone think straight, my mind foggy, my body weak! (laughs) Yeah, I know, it's a miracle I didn't get a big head or anything – but honestly, my parents kept me grounded, reminding me that true intelligence comes from kindness and compassion, that being book-smart is only half the battle, that emotional intelligence is just as important as academic intelligence.

They taught me that wisdom comes from understanding people, from being empathetic, from caring for others – and that's what truly matters, what makes a person truly special. Everyone was always so proud of me, and I was pretty popular back then – not because I tried to be, but because I was just myself, and that self happened to be pretty awesome – confident, friendly, outgoing, and always willing to lend a helping hand, to offer a smile, to share a laugh!

To add to my popularity, I was a bit different – utterly unique, one-of-a-kind, a rare gem, a precious stone that sparkled brightly, shining like a star in the night sky, twinkling with beauty and wonder – you know what I mean. I had this feminine charm – a gentle touch that soothed souls, calmed fears, healed hearts, and mended broken spirits, a soft voice that calmed minds, quieted worries, inspired hope, and brought peace to those who heard it, a warm smile that lit up rooms, brightened days, touched lives, and filled hearts with joy – and it seemed to draw people to me like a magnet, making friends easily, connecting with others on a deep level, building strong bonds that lasted, creating a community that cared, supported one another, and lifted each other up.

I had different nicknames – some called me Girly, others Lady C, Sweetpea, Honey, Muffin, Sunshine, Angel, Lovebug, Princess, and many others that were just as sweet – nicknames that stuck, that became a part of who I was, that brought back happy memories, that made me feel loved and appreciated, that filled my heart with joy, that made me feel like a king, cherished and adored.

I was so handsome – incredibly good-looking, dashing, debonair, chiseled, and charming – with piercing eyes that sparkled like diamonds, twinkled with warmth, shone bright with kindness, and sparkled with mischief, chiseled features that could grace the cover of any magazine, and a bright smile that could light up a room, brighten someone's day, touch hearts, and inspire hope – and it didn't really bother me – I was just myself, enjoying life, living in the moment, soaking up every second of joy and happiness that came my way, appreciating every blessing, cherishing every memory, and loving every minute of it.

I was so young back then – carefree, wild, full of life, energetic, adventurous, spontaneous, free-spirited, optimistic, enthusiastic, and full of wonder – and attention from a lot of people was like a badge of honor for me – a symbol of my popularity, my charm, my appeal, my charisma, my positive energy, my ability to make others smile, my passion for life, and my love for adventure. It always added a bit of swag to my style – my walk was confident and purposeful, my talk was smooth and engaging, my smile was bright and infectious – everything about me screamed confidence, charisma, a zest for life, passion, energy, a heart that was full of love and kindness, and a spirit that was unbreakable.

But honestly, I didn't need all that attention to feel good about myself – my parents taught me to love myself, flaws and all, imperfections and quirks, weaknesses and strengths, and that's what truly mattered – their wisdom and guidance helped shape me into a confident, compassionate, caring, empathetic, kind, gentle, and humble person. I knew my worth wasn't measured by how many people liked me – it was measured by how much love I shared freely, generously, unconditionally, and selflessly, how many smiles I inspired daily, how many lives I touched positively, how many hearts I helped heal, and how much kindness I spread generously.

It was measured by my character – my integrity, values, morals, principles, and spirit, my heart – my capacity to love, empathize, care for others, and show compassion, my values – my beliefs, convictions, priorities, and passions, and my actions – my choices, decisions, behaviors, and habits – not by my popularity or approval rating. And that knowledge gave me freedom – freedom to be myself, without apology or pretension, freedom to live life on my own terms, freedom to make choices that aligned with my values, freedom to pursue my passions, freedom to love others without condition, expectation, or judgment – to love them for who they are, flaws and all, imperfections and quirks included, and freedom to enjoy every moment of this beautiful journey called life.

This mindset helped me navigate life's ups and downs – the twists and turns, highs and lows, successes and setbacks, surprises and challenges, triumphs and tribulations. I learned to stay grounded – stable and secure, like a tree with deep roots that reached far into the earth, focused – clear-minded and determined, like a laser beam cutting through obstacles with precision and power, and positive – optimistic and hopeful, like a sunny day after a storm that brought new life and energy. Even when challenges arose – and trust me, they did arise – unexpectedly, suddenly, and forcefully, like a strong wave crashing on the shore, catching me off guard and testing my resolve! (laughs)

But I faced them head-on – courageously, boldly, and confidently, with resilience – bouncing back like rubber that stretched to its limits but never broke, and determination – pushing forward like a marathon runner who gave it their all and never gave up. Knowing that every obstacle was an opportunity to grow – to develop and mature like a seedling growing into a strong tree, learn – to gain knowledge and insight that opened my eyes and mind to new possibilities, and become stronger – to overcome and conquer like a warrior who fought bravely and emerged victorious. And that's exactly what happened.

I grew wiser – more knowledgeable and perceptive, with a deeper understanding of myself and the world, more compassionate – more empathetic and caring, with a heart that felt deeply and loved unconditionally, and more confident – more self-assured and determined, ready to take on whatever life had in store for me – ready for anything that came my way!