T is for Trauma (Book 1)

Chapter One: Monday January 24

When it comes to the game called life, I've been dealt an interesting hand. Abandoned by my mother and abused by my father, I was adopted into an exceedingly large family. Life has its ups and downs and we have our unnecessary amount of drama, but overall a positive energy and support within our house and community which is vital for my well-being. I couldn't have been adopted by a better family.

Unfortunately, I still have to interact and do things with my biological parents. My mother's family didn't even know that she gave up custody of me almost three years ago until she drunkenly admitted it during our family trip to New York City. My cousin Samantha and I turned sixteen in December and instead of buying us gifts, they planned this trip. It's been fun but I'm honestly glad we are on our final flight home.

I looked up from my service-less phone and glanced out the airplane window, studying the stars. They look like they are close enough to grab, but in reality I know they are a million miles away. In a way, I feel that way about my life. The things that I want the most are just out of my reach. Perhaps a shooting star will fly past us and I could just wish for what I want.

My first wish would be for my mental health to not be the heaping shit storm that it is. I have been through more traumatic shit than any other sixteen year old and instead of just going through it once and moving on with my life, I get to have reoccurring nightmares and being triggered by the most stupidest things. I am on medication and have been in therapy for a year and a half now, but we've only just scratched the surface. Slow and steady progress my ass, I'm ready to be past it all now. Or have my wish granted for my PTSD to be gone.

My second wish is to find a new boyfriend. Being a popular Varsity cheerleader, I know I will have no trouble with that. The thing is, will it be the only man I want or another one who will use my body? When I left for this trip, he was single and we've discussed getting together on multiple occasions. His name is Christopher Collingwood and he has the most beautiful ocean blue eyes, a killer smile and he treats me like royalty. My only concern is Josh Smith, one of the boys I live with, is single too. We've had an ongoing friends with benefits relationship for years so if he got to me first, I would impulsively say yes.

My final wish would be for less drama in my social life. I can shatter that illusion though because I know it's not realistic. I'm known at school, from a small town and have one of the larger circle of friends at Plant City High School. With that many teenagers congregated together, something is always going on.

It seems like I need a magic genie instead of a shooting star, but we know coming across either one of those is next to impossible.

A loud ding caused me to jump. I looked up and noticed the fasten seatbelt light was now glowing. That means we're hitting turbulence or we're about to land. I can't wait to be back on the ground so I can use my phone again. I'm sure there's a boatload of texts waiting in limbo to bombard my phone once we land, especially with keeping myself occupied with texting during the layover. I have a love/hate relationship with texting. It beats talking on the phone, but it also gets overwhelming when multiple conversations are going on, which for me is all the time.

"Everyone please be seated and fasten your seatbelts; we are getting ready to land. The weather is currently fifty-five degrees, and the sky is clear. Enjoy your stay in Tampa!" The flight attendant called over the speaker.

"Fifty degrees seems like nothing compared to what we came from." My cousin Samantha sighed from the seat next to me.

I smiled and nodded in agreement. The past few days we've been in New York City with our moms, Aunt McKenzie, and Grandma. Mom, Grandma and Aunt Natalie are sitting a few rows ahead of us. We couldn't get seats together but at least we're all on the same flight.