Breaking the Boards

Jared's uniform was huge.

It was definitely way too big for me. I silently cursed my brother for being so freaking tall even at my age. I kicked off my uniform debating whether I should even wear it.

Yes, of course, I would wear it. A ridiculously large uniform would be better than no uniform in my opinion. Easier to blend in that way. I slowly brushed up my long black hair into a ponytail, trying to kill time.

"Liliana, are you ready yet?" Mom's voice cut into the calm silence of my room.

I groaned. "Do I really have to go?"

"Yes, I already told you why. Now hurry up and get ready or you'll be late."

Ughh. Yeah yeah, I need to learn self-defense and be more physically active do I don't turn into a potato chip freaking chicken nugget.

...

To be honest, I did want to learn Taekwondo and martial arts and all that stuff. I just really, really did not like interacting with other people. I hated talking to anyone except for my family and close friends. But the thing is... I don't really have any friends. That's the other reason mom was making me go learn Taekwondo. To add to my misery of interacting with total and utterly complete strangers. I had to make friends. Alone. By myself. With strangers.

Frick my life.

*****

All she ever wanted was to just be left alone. All he wanted was to ease the guilt. And we all know that loneliness and guilt never go well together.

But there's always a first. Especially when you're given a new life. A blank slate.

Their lives can change. And they know it. All they have to do is accept.