Masked

Epilogue [Entry Twelve]

Hey, me. Today is a good day to close a journal, isn't it? What better day to end than an anniversary; my anniversary. Happy Anniversary, me. Today officially marks 365 days. 365 days since I took off my mask. Masks are interesting, they hide fascinating stories about adventures or events, about friendships and relationships. They prevent you from being who you want to be, and who you truly are.

If I could go back in time, I might've stopped myself from putting up the wall, hiding myself from the world. If I had, I wouldn't have ended up as scarred as I am now, I wouldn't have been as unhappy as I was. But I also wouldn't be as happy as I am now, as open and light and free. Because of my mask, I became closer with Danielle. Because of my mask, I met Gray.

Gray. He and I have been together for eight months now. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. I wasn't ever going to get together with him, but here I am. His flirty, cocky attitude finally wormed its way into my heart. Danielle got a solid fifty bucks out of that day when he asked me out. Aunt Jayde had to fork it over right there and then.

Danielle and I are at the beginning of our first year at University together. She went for medicine, and myself, engineering. Gray wanted to live with me at University, but I told him to stay in the room next door. Although I love the dumbass, I had made a promise to Danielle to room with her for University when I was no more than a third grader. Gray is taking university for business, as he wants to join a big-time company. His people skills will make that easy, as long as he keeps plowing through his University classes.

We still make time for fun, though. Every Friday night, all three of us cuddle up on the couch, taking turns picking movies and sitting on the floor. The couch only has room for two of us, so usually Gray or Danielle sits on the floor, the remaining two cuddling up under a blanket and throwing popcorn at the one on the floor. However, the one who picked the movie is on vacuum duty and tends to discourage the popcorn wars.

Gray has been talking to Danielle in secret for the past few weeks, as well. I sometimes come home from my classes and see the two of them sitting at the kitchen counter bent over a binder they won't let me see. Danielle has also hinted at dress shopping. I'm nearly positive that Gray is planning a proposal sometime soon, and Danielle is his designated wing-woman, but I can't be sure just yet.

And myself? I have graduated from picking my scabs now, and all of them have scarred over. I still don't like letting other people see them, and occasionally, I cry when I see their ugly reflection staring back at me in the mirror. However, I'm not scared of the mirror anymore. I've got nothing to be afraid of. I'm not a shell of a girl, not a monster anymore. I am a just girl, a girl with a couple of scars...

...And a smile.