Have you ever felt completely powerless?
Like you can't even trust your own memories—hell, not even yourself?
Maybe I did this.
Maybe they were right… maybe I really wasn't okay.
I'd been delusional this whole time.
And now?
I'm the reason all of this happened.
All I keep asking myself is: who am I, really?
Why did they lie to me? Why did they make me believe all that?
I wasn't like everyone else who just… lives, like life is something simple.
I've always told myself that life isn't fair.
But I want you to be the ones who decide that.
once I tell you my story.
A story told by someone… unknown
Introduction
I wrote this story to show you how I feel. Maybe it's fictional, but maybe someone out there has felt the same way—like they're powerless to believe anything. Should they believe what people say, or trust themselves? And if even their own mind doesn't trust them… then what are they supposed to do?
Maybe if they had listened to me back then…
Maybe if they had believed me…
None of this would have happened.
If only they had shown a little kindness, a little love… back then.
I really want to move forward after all this, but this past… it doesn't let me feel like I should.
All I want is for you to judge, to decide.
No. This can't be me.
It definitely isn't.
I feel…
I shut my eyes and suddenly I hear voices—no, not voices… a crowd.
A whole crowd screaming my name.
"Emma!! Emma!! What the hell did you do?!"
My eyes flew open in shock.
three years ago..
I woke up this morning with this weird rush of energy. Don't ask me why—I don't know myself.
Is it because today's the first day of my senior year?
I doubt it. My school is basically a live‑action drama—backstabbing, toxic people, and disgusting situations that never end.
I kept trying to convince myself: Don't freak out today. Stay calm. Look on the bright side. Forget who you're going to see.
A fresh start, right, Emma?
I hope so. But the truth?
It's just another day in my life. The only difference is the number on the calendar.
It's boring how much I think about these people.
Meanwhile? They barely remember I exist.
Anyway,since I can't run from reality—time to drag myself back into the same old routine.
I got out of bed, pretending to be full of energy, and went straight to the kitchen to make breakfast for my parents.
For some strange reason, I was almost excited for another long day at school.
I stepped into the kitchen—fine, let me entertain you a little.
You want to know about me? My name? My family?
I'm Emma. I'm seventeen.
This is my last year.
Don't tell anyone this, but… I feel like this is going to be my new beginning.
I believe that.
New year, new life.
But in the end? It just feels like another normal year.
Anyway—my dad's waiting.
My dad?
He's so serious he forgot how to be a father.
He never taught me what tenderness looks like.
Never even tried.
All he ever did was crush any tiny moment where I might've felt safe.
Don't get me wrong—I'm not going to be that teenager who whines about a strict dad.
But… I don't know.
Sometimes I don't even feel like he's my father.
Ever felt that?
Someone who's close to you in name only… but feels like a stranger?
I don't know, but I've never gotten used to it. Not once.
Especially when it comes to me coming home late, my short clothes, or the fact that I have guy friends.
He's strict in this annoyingly suffocating way—like living in a prison without bars.
All I can think about now is escaping this mess.
Maybe that's why I'm actually looking forward to school.
To run away from this miserable reality.
Let's skip ahead and keep going.
My stepmother?
Yeah… that's a whole different story.
She never even gave me the chance to call her "Mom," and honestly, I don't think she wants that anyway.
She's in a constant competition with me,trying to prove she's prettier, smarter, more important.
But I know exactly why she married my dad…
Money.
Just money.
The problem?
My dad refuses to admit it, even though her behavior is as obvious as daylight.
But you know what they say… love is blind.
And my real mom?
She ran away.
Yeah, you heard me right.
After the divorce, she packed her bags and left with her boyfriend.
At least she waited until the divorce was official,that's… respectable, I guess?
Barely.
My life?
A full‑on mess.
And still, I hold onto this tiny little hope that one day it'll all change… and I'll finally be free.
I sighed, trying to shove all those thoughts out of my head, and dragged myself back into reality…
Where another long day was waiting for me,along with the breakfast I still had to make.
The moment she took a sip of the coffee, she frowned.
"It's bitter… why don't you put sugar in it?"
That was my dad's wife,annoyed, of course, because she likes her coffee sweet enough to give someone diabetes
I walked out the door and,surprise,no one stopped me.
No "eat first," no "take care," nothing.
My dad has always been cold like that, and honestly… I don't think he likes me much.
And my stepmother?
Yeah, she's probably the reason for half of this mess.
Even though I try to see her as "Mom," I really don't need to explain how she actually treats me.
You can imagine.
As for my real mom?
She left.
She dumped me to go live her life.
And honestly, I've always felt like I was just… a burden to them both.
My dad never gave me love.
My mom was selfish enough to leave me alone in this mess and chase love somewhere else.
On a normal day,well,I would walk into school smiling at everyone.
That stupid polite smile.
The one I do just so people don't ask questions.
Everyone stared at me like I was some new kid who magically appeared this year.
Like I wasn't here last year at all.
"They're just not used to it," Sara said.
"What?? That's not fair."
"Emma, look at me. You have to get over this. This year we have to do our best,our dream university won't take us unless we focus."
That's what Sara said, and instantly my chest tightened.
Wait,am I actually supposed to think about my future right now?
I can't even handle today.
I sighed.
"I know… ugh. I feel so useless. I have zero motivation for this year. I don't even know why."
"When you see the other students, you'll feel the competition kicking in," she said confidently.
"Sara, you're the one who gets excited about this stuff. You're the smart one. I'm… lazy. Like, permanently lazy."
"You're not lazy, trust me!!"
She's just being sweet so I don't break down in front of her.
"Alright… I'll trust you," I said anyway.
We walked into class,packed with new students.
"I honestly didn't expect you to show up this year too."
The voice came from behind me,of course.
And suddenly, the chatter started.
Yep. Susan.
Hold on, let me introduce her properly,
Susan is… well, an enemy.
I'm kidding.
No, actually I'm not.
Yes, I have enemies in this school.
And thank God this is my last year dealing with any of them
As you can probably tell, I'm not exactly a "top student."
I skip school… a lot.
Not because I'm lazy,okay maybe a little,but mostly because I hate this place.
But honestly?
School is nothing compared to my house.
Home is way worse.
Sometimes I wish I had some magical place to escape to,like in movies or novels.
I know, I know… you're gonna say, "That's called running away."
But put yourself in my place for a second.
Kids at school? They bully you.
That's normal,who hasn't been bullied?
But home?
Home is a whole different level of bad.
My parents never understood me.
I was never like the other girls.
dreaming about cute stuff, wanting to be something big.
I just wanted to hide.
To run.
To disappear sometimes.
Maybe I am boring.
Maybe I do need...
The teacher spoke in that official, "pay attention" tone:
"Please introduce yourself."
The blonde girl stood up, smiling like she owned the room:
"My name's Gina… hi everyone."
Everyone stared.
Honestly, can you blame them?
They'd never seen a girl like her before,beautiful, confident, glowing… the kind of girl that makes everyone else feel like they're just background extras.
The teacher went back to writing on the board and said calmly:
"Gina, please sit next to your classmate, Emma."
(Emma… no… why me? I was so comfortable sitting alone.)
I smiled at her anyway, trying not to look embarrassed.
"Hi… go ahead."
Gina sat down, arranged her books neatly, and there was something about her… tidy, fresh, easy to notice.
I kept sneaking glances, thinking:
Maybe this is my chance to actually make some friends… maybe.
After class, everyone left the room.
I looked at Gina and smiled softly:
"Do you want to walk with me?"
Gina grinned and walked beside me.
i tried to start a conversation:
"So… you just registered? Haven't been here before?"
Gina nodded:
"Yeah, just now. Maybe I wasn't supposed to be here, but I transferred from my old school because I got into a fight with someone."
i blinked in shock:
"What??"
Gina laughed proudly, like she was showing off a medal.
"Yep… and my friends came with me too. All of us got kicked out!"
i laughed out loud.
"Wait… you're actually proud of that?"
Gina shrugged, grinning like she had no regrets.
"Yes. I felt free when I grabbed her hair like that and dragged her across the floor."
I kept staring at her, but..
As we walked, we passed a boy standing against the wall, hood up, doing his usual mysterious "I hate humans" pose.
"Look at him… he's such a weirdo," i whispered.
Gina looked surprised, then asked:
"Is he always like that?"
i nodded.
"Yeah. Since I got here, he's always like that. I don't know why… he just… can't stand people."
Gina laughed.
"You know, I feel so lonely without my friends."
"Will they come here too?" i asked.
"I don't know yet. I got accepted, but I'm not sure if they will be too."
"I hope they get in. There are still spots left, right?"
Gina's eyes lit up.
"You don't know how excited I am for you to meet them!
to be continued...