Do you hear me now ?

"Veiled confessions"

The bus ride to the school was silent like everyday. In her daily life at school, Emily is known as a participative and engaged individual. She actively takes part in class discussions, raises her hand to answer questions, and contributes to group projects. On the surface, she appears confident and enthusiastic, hiding her true feelings of detachment and isolation from her peers.

During classes, Emily remains focused and determined, her mind brilliantly absorbing new knowledge and ideas. As her classmates chat and socialize during breaks, she prefers to immerse herself in books or engage in activities that keep her mind occupied.

Emily's best friend, Hannah, notices slight changes in Emily's behavior, but is unaware of the deep emotional struggles she experiences. Hannah observes Emily's moments of introspection and the occasional distant gaze, but she assumes that Emily is simply lost in thought or daydreaming. Emily remains guarded, maintaining a façade of strength and positivity around others, including Hannah.

Behind closed doors, however, Emily faces her battles in solitude. She wrestles with her inner demons, but is determined to keep her struggles hidden, fearing judgment and stigma from her peers. Emily copes with her emotions in her own way, channeling her energy into creative pursuits or seeking solace in activities that bring her joy and solace.

In these moments, Emily engages in an internal dialogue, debating whether to show her vulnerable side and reach out for help or to continue to wear a mask of strength. She questions the potential impact it may have on her relationships and the perception others may have of her. The fear of being seen as weak or different gnaws at her, leading her to believe that keeping her struggles concealed is the best option.

Emily's daily life at school paints a picture of a participative and accomplished person. However, beneath her confident exterior lies a constant battle with detachment and isolation. Emily chooses to hide her struggles from her peers, presenting a brave face to the outside world while silently grappling with her inner darkness.

In the school courtyard, Emily and Hannah sit on a bench during a lunch break, the sun shining down on them. Emily absentmindedly picks at her lunch while Hannah watches her intently.

"You seem lost today, Em. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just thinking about a lot of things. Nothing to worry about."

"You know you can talk to me, right? I'm here for you."

"I appreciate that, Hannah. But this is something I need to figure out on my own."

"Alright, but remember that you're not alone. If you ever change your mind, I'm here."

"Thanks, Hannah. That means a lot to me."Emily replies while nodding.

Later, in the quiet confines of Emily's room, she sits at her desk, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her gaze falls upon the hidden scars on her arm, triggering a flood of emotions.
Whispering to herself, "Is this all there is? Am I meant to suffer in silence forever?"

A battle of thoughts begins in Emily's mind, a debate between seeking help and keeping her struggles hidden. "If I reach out, will others understand? Or will they see me as weak?"

A small glimmer of hope flickers within Emily, urging her to open up and share her pain. "Maybe it's time to let someone in. Maybe they can help me find light in this darkness."

But doubts and fears creep back in, clouding her decision. "But what if they don't understand? What if it changes how they see me?"

Yet, despite the uncertainties, Emily's longing for relief and understanding grows stronger. "I can't keep pretending everything is fine. It's time to take that first step and find the support I need, I can't take this anymore."

Emily reaches for her phone, contemplating who to reach out to for help. She knows that breaking the wall of detachment and isolation won't be easy, but she's willing to face the struggles to find solace and support.