Their Fall, My Rise

d back into focu

r, the distant scream that

lavender laundry detergent, the drone

bed

d bed

e dead-end job' s callu

st 1

e mo

abotaged, before the SATs I was too broken

hood best friend, his hand steady as he offered me the "energy drink" before the t

union, Mark' s brief, almost apologetic glance, and Tiff

as

ribs. Justice. The Service Academy. This t

s a little shaky, and

Hopeful, before

tside drew me

ed, was parked awkwardly at the curb in

saw him

new from school, dancing awkwardly to some pop song. He he

h, feigning surprise, but he

s rebo

r first life, their romance was a sly, whispered thing until

ssed her face as she looked at Mark. He was different, more bra

e expensive car, it was too much for her

ted me in

ng warmth from our shared childhood, were now

e knew I w

ame w