The Silent Pages Of Secret Diary

Chapter 8: Sharing Secrets

Date: 8 April 2024

Today, something changed between Mystara and me. We found a quiet spot under the big oak tree behind the school, where the noise of the world faded into the background. We’d been talking about everything and nothing at the same time when suddenly, it was like the words just started spilling out of me. I didn’t plan on it—I never plan on opening up. But with Mystara, it felt… safe.

I hesitated at first, struggling to find the right words. “Sometimes, it’s like... like there’s this weight pressing down on me. Especially at home,” I finally managed. My voice wavered, and for a second, I thought about stopping. But when I looked up, Mystara was watching me, her expression soft and understanding, without a trace of judgment.

She didn’t rush me or ask questions. She just listened as I explained what it’s like to feel trapped in the middle of my parents’ arguments, to feel like I’m carrying a burden that isn’t even mine. “It’s like I’m invisible, or worse, like I’m only seen when they need someone to blame,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. Saying it out loud made it feel more real, but it also made the weight a little less crushing.

Mystara reached out and put a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I know how that feels,” she said quietly. And then, she started to share her own story.

Mystara opened up about the pressure she feels at home too—the constant need to put on a brave face so her parents don’t worry. “There are days when I don’t even feel like myself anymore,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s like... I’m wearing this mask all the time, and I don’t even know who’s underneath it.”

Her words resonated with me in a way I didn’t expect. I’d always thought I was alone in feeling this way, that no one else could understand what it’s like to hide parts of yourself just to keep everyone else happy. But hearing Mystara talk, I realized I wasn’t as alone as I thought.

We sat there, sharing pieces of ourselves we’d never shared with anyone else. We didn’t need to tell each other everything; it was enough to know that we both understood, that we were both carrying things too heavy to handle on our own. There was a strange kind of relief in it, like finally being able to put down something I’d been holding onto for far too long.

When the lunch bell rang, signaling the end of our quiet escape, Mystara turned to me and smiled—a real, genuine smile that reached her eyes. “Thanks for trusting me with that,” she said, her voice gentle.

“Thank you for trusting me too,” I replied. And in that moment, I knew that our friendship was different, deeper. We weren’t just sharing lunch or laughing about silly things anymore; we were sharing parts of ourselves that we’d kept hidden from everyone else.

As we walked back to class, I felt lighter somehow. The problems were still there, waiting for me at home, but knowing I wasn’t alone made them feel a little more bearable. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had someone who understood, someone who didn’t need me to pretend I was okay all the time.

That night, as I wrote in my diary, I thought about Mystara and how meeting her had changed everything. Sometimes, it really does help to share the things that hurt, to let someone else in on the secrets we keep locked away. And as scary as it had been to open up, I realized that maybe, just maybe, trusting someone could be the start of something healing.

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Afterthoughts on Trust

As I lay in bed, I thought about what it means to trust someone and realized a few things:

1. Trust those who make you feel safe, not judged.

Like Mystara, people who truly care will listen without making you feel small or wrong. They’ll help you carry the weight without making it feel heavier.

2. Notice how they handle your secrets.

If someone, like Maya, shares things about you that you told them in confidence, that’s a sign they might not be trustworthy. Real friends keep what’s private, private.

3. Look for people who are willing to open up too.

When Mystara shared her own struggles, it showed me she wasn’t just listening out of curiosity. She understood what it’s like to feel vulnerable, and that made it easier for me to trust her.

4. Trust builds slowly—don’t rush it.

I’ve learned that trust doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something that grows with time and experience, as you see how someone responds to your feelings.

5. Follow your instincts.

If something feels wrong, like it did with Maya’s betrayal, it probably is. It’s okay to be careful with who you open up to.

I’m learning that trust isn’t about being close to someone instantly—it’s about paying attention to who makes you feel safe, who respects your boundaries, and who stays by your side when you’re not at your best.