Hallie's Story: I Don't Know Who To Love

of with them any longer without losing my mind. Today is finally the day I'm moving out-heading off to college, which feels like an esca

e from the chaos that constantly surrounded me, a break from the never-ending arguments between my parents

divorce for them. Their fights often spiralled from petty disagreements-like the simple act of closing the toilet seat or keeping shoes off the carpet-only to escalate into dramatic accu

ment where we felt loved and cared for at least until my dad made a disastrous financial mistake that set our home on edge. Suddenly, the shouting and anger became our daily soundtra

ed. I couldn't shake the feeling that she had taken a dislike to me, which was complicated by the realization that I bore a striking resemblance to my dad. Any mistake I made seemed to trigger a torrent of complaints, while my sisters escape

oll while receiving nothing but praise in return. The youngest, Martha, seemed blissfully ignorant of the family dynamics; she was always immersed in her phone, navigating her own world, rarely considering anyone else'

e, he treated me like a princess, showering me with love and affection that made me feel special and cherished. Even during financially c

o serve as a messenger-pleading with me to convey their wishes to him in hopes of scoring treats or outings. I didn't mind, as it felt like a game to me. I enj

e for a year, travelling eight hours away. Grace was accompanying me, already a sophomore at the same college. She drove us in her car, and I remember tearing up during the drive because, des

e were to stay in one of the school's accommodations, but, unfortunately, Grace and I were assigned as roommates. The thought made me groan internally; while she was family, we had never been particularly close, and I

d myself wide awake, imagining the vibrant experiences waiting for me-my future friendships, the people I would meet, and the adventures that lay ah

g thrill coursed through me, making sleep impossible. I found myself daydreaming about the next four years of my life: new adventures awaiting me, the diverse people I woul

ll-girls Catholic boarding school, a setting that didn't exactly facilitate interaction with boys. Even so, I crossed paths with KC, a family friend, at a birthday party. Ou

eal, to take our online connection into the realm of something