BENEATH THE SMILES

(TRIGGER WARNING!!)
This is my truth-the story of how a simple friend group I created became the catalyst for my undoing. What started as a haven of laughter and companionship spiraled into chaos, leaving me burdened by relentless arguments and a crushing sense of failure. Stepping down as its leader didn't free me; it only left me carrying the pieces-two addictions that consumed me, a pregnancy that forced me to grow up too soon, and a battle with my own mind as I wrestled with the scars of constant sexual abuse.
The smiles we wore for the world hid the fractures within, but beneath them lay pain, betrayal, and the silent weight of trauma that still haunts me. This is not just a story about friendship gone wrong; it's about the darkness that lingers when trust is shattered and the resilience it takes to rebuild when you've been broken by those you trusted most.