Eric Raynes, the most popular boy in school, is at the top of the school hierarchy and social life as a whole.
At least, that's until everybody starts to have a hard time recollecting who he is.
"Oh, I also learned my parents died yesterday. So now you have it. Are you happy? Are you satisfied? I know I am." I finally finished telling my life story, hesitantly waiting for a proper response from the only other person in the room - my latest fling, Samantha.
I always expected that after revealing my biggest secret, one involving my incredibly poor upbringing and somewhat violent legal guardians, I would feel ashamed.
What I didn't expect, however, was to feel completely relieved.
I had spent the last couple of years hopping from bed to bed while creating a false narrative where my parents were just these heartless rich people who couldn't give a damn about their kid. Thus, leading everyone around me to believe that I not being home all the time was just some rebellious side quest I had going on to spite them.
I even fooled my best friend into believing this story, even though we tended to spend almost every second together outside of school.
I guess I was just that good of an actor.
"Eric, I'm so sorry. I didn't know." Samantha, now appearing very remorseful, said through tears before giving me a tight hug.
I would have usually told her to not be so clingy, but I needed someone to feel compassionate towards me for a nice change.
It was good to finally have someone listen to my problems and offer me a shoulder to cry on, even if I didn't like to admit it at first.
It was very tiring to constantly act strong and mighty on the outside while being broken on the inside without anyone noticing.
I suppose this has been the remedy I had been searching for my whole life.
Who would have thought, facetiously speaking?
"It's not your fault. I was the one who was acting like a prick. I should have just told you sooner. But you have to understand - even Noah doesn't know. I have kept this side of my life hidden from everyone. And then you suddenly decided that you wanted to know more and didn't just give up when I refused to talk to you. I was scared." I confessed some more, putting my head on Samantha's shoulder.
I didn't notice the moment I started shaking uncontrollably, but it was understandable, considering how stressful the situation had been.
Thankfully, that went unnoticed by my fling and possibly a new actual friend.
"Don't worry about it. I won't tell anyone, your secret is safe with me. I'm so happy you finally opened up. I was scared you were going to blow up at one point or another." my confidant said cheerfully, clearly happy about my emotional development.
Who could have blamed her?
It's not like I was the most upfront person she had seen in her life, I was usually the exact opposite.
So I understood her sudden shot of happiness more than she realized.
"Okay, we can stop hugging now. We need to breathe first and foremost." I suddenly claimed, not wanting to seem like a complete emotional wreck after all.
Small baby steps.
It wasn't necessarily for progress to be drastic.
If anything, being so open was a good start to this new adventure - one I didn't know my soul needed until now to properly heal from all the past trauma it had endured.
"I know the perfect way to celebrate your emotional progress. We could go to this year's carnival. It will be so fun, Eric! We will ride every roller coaster we can find." Sam stated, finally allowing me to breathe by ultimately breaking our psychological hug.
I was initially hesitant at best, but I eventually agreed to the offer I had been spontaneously given. It would have been a good way to clear my head a little bit.
"I'm in." I sealed the deal, still somewhat reluctant.
While two years ago I hadn't been so sure where my life was heading, now I was well aware that good things awaited me at the end of my rocky journey.
Even if I wasn't ready for them.
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