LOVES TRAILS: A JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS

miling proudly for all her hard work. She was the star of the party because she had won a scholarship for he

seemed farther away because of

come with my younger siblings, Sam and Lily, and though she was smiling, I could tell she sensed something was of

inding a quiet corner. The thought of her leaving soon made it hard to breathe.

s. "Thanks, Jake," she said softly. "But what abou

to say. "I'm still figuring

ispered, her voice trembling. "I wish

e hers to follow, and I couldn't hold her back. The silence between

a said, her voice breaking as tears filled he

k. "I'll miss you too, An," I managed to say. "But

ars. "I wish I could take you with me," she repeated, he

pick her up. They were proud of her, their faces glowing with j

e tightly, whispering, "My parents have decided to host a personal

don't know how I'll get

ou too, An," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "

here, watching as the car drove away, taking her with it and leavi

As I turned to leave, I felt her absence with every step I took.

a's parents exchanged proud glances, their heart

d of you. Graduating at the top of your class and getting t

t her parents' praise. "Thank you, Mom and Dad," she said, her voice war

of pride. "You've worked so hard for this, sweetheart," she s

her eyes. They looked at each other, noticing how her eyes shone and

int in his eye, leaning slightly forward, "who

to find the right words. "Oh, um, that's Jake," she s

friend, huh?" her mother teased, a playful sm

he full truth about Jake. "Well, he's the boy I mentioned to

endships as you start this new chapter. "Anita nodded, thankful for her parents' understanding and support. As the car drove away, she couldn't let

me was quiet, with just the sound of the car humming softly. I sat in the back, lost in my thoug

ita get into the car with her parents. I could feel that she knew something was wrong

other about how much fun they had. They didn't know how heavy my heart felt. I wanted

be like now that she was leaving. By the time the taxi pulled up to our house, I could feel Mo

than usual. Mom didn't push me, but I could tell she knew something was o

she would call and send me a