atelophobia | justin huang

begin

atelophobia (n):

the fear of imperfection; fear of not being enough.

...

all my life-

i've been pushed to be perfect.

you're good?

you can be better.

you're better?

you can be the best.

in the world it's like that:

best takes all,

good gets none.

you're the best,

or you're nothing.

and that's the way our school works.

a hierarchy of students,

all competing for the top.

first days matter.

you're either accepted,

or you're not.

and that's the way it's been forever.

the best...

always the best...

when you're at the top,

it starts to exhaust you.

because you know that the rest of the school is fighting for your spot.

and while you're looked up to,

you're also everyone's biggest rival.

and eventually,

some people crack under the strain.

and they break,

crumble,

fall into pieces.

and everyone else?

no one cares.

because the downfall of one person,

means a new opportunity for someone else.

you'll never know who's your friend,

or your enemy,

and you'll never know who to trust.

the best...

is it worth it?