"...'cause honestly, I'm not that strong. I'm not alright, I'm broken inside, broken inside... I'm not alright x3. That's why I need you." -Sanctus Real, I'm Not Alright.I sniffle and I trembleunder blankets too warmand loneliness too heavy.He doesn't care,Loneliness. He doesn'tcare if I can't carry himright now. He just pileson top while Anxiety makesme panic on the bus andfeel like an idiot whenI try to pick up the phon...

"Because of you I try my hardest just to forget everything, Because of you I don't know how to let anyone else in, Because of you I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty, Because of you..."She opens her new closet door and runs right into herself. The owners before them must have forgotten the mirror. Her eyes are distant and sad, her movements both curious and anxious. She bites her lip, the stops because she looks stu...

I have things to do, people to talk to, places to call in order to live my life. My mom reminds me of this every single day. So does my dad, though in a more harsh and sarcastic manner. I need to call so the bill doesn't go to collection, but don't they understand? Every time I pick up a phone to call someone or to answer it, my heart races and my mind makes up all kinds of situations where everything goes wrong and I say...

Everyone thinks it isme who's to blame for whathappened that night, but allI wanted was a kiss.Innocent fantasies infiltratedmy mind that night--Holding hands on the beach, orsoft loving kisses on each fingerbefore a kiss goodnight and a 'see you tomorrow'.I thought you loved me, thought itwas what parents call 'puppy love'--How wrong was I, Alaric?Was I wrong enough to deservewhat you did to me, to deservethe stares and...

"I miss you so much."I kneel on the grass and stare into the darkening horizon for a long period of time, my mind whirling, the compulsively organized file cabinets in my brain spewing memories onto the floor. I am forced to sift through them in order to find their dwelling place. I run into the memory of standing up for you to Dad. His voice pierces my heart, driving as deep as it did the first time around."No son of min...

(All of the "If You're Reading This"s comes from the song titled "If You're Reading This" by Tim McGraw. The letter was inspired by that song and "Letters From Home" by John Michael Montgomery as well as "I'm Already There" by Lonestar and "A Soldier's Memoir" by Joe Bachman).The plane touches down and Jennifer stands when the other passengers do. Within this plane, at least, she seemed to be equal- the same as every othe...

After my initial reply, Adam and I sit across the desk from Boss and wait for her to start in on me with questions. She sits for a little while, quiet, making me nervous. I just want to get this over with, but I know that's not how it works. We'll talk at her pace, not mine. I'm the one that came in to talk, but she's the one asking the questions.Adam's hand is on my shoulder again and he squeezes it reassuringly, bringin...

Adam hands me the pregnancy test and a package of mini blueberry muffins. I set the muffins aside and look in his eyes as I grab the test and exit the car. I don't say a word, but he nods in understanding, sitting back and drinking his morning coffee, eating--of all things--some mini donuts while I enter the store. I go to the counter first, asking if I may use their restroom. The guy behind the counter says that usually...

The days blur as time passes and I wait for Garrett's reply. Bruises disappear as scars multiply and Adam is still as persistant as usual. He wants to know why I'm so silent. He wants to know what 'that' scar is from and where 'this' scar is from. He wants answers from me and I'm just too tired to give them to him, so he finally just hands me a slip of paper with his phone number on it and shuts his lips. But that doesn't...

---------------------- Please be advised that this work contains language which some readers may find offensive. In consideration, Stories Space has hidden the preview of this selection. By choosing to view the piece in its entirety, you agree that you are 18 or older and do not object to such content. ----------------------People ask why I didn't leave sooner. Why I didn't tell someone sooner. Why I just let him do what...

"Bring [them] home Santa, Bring [them] home to Jon and me. Let us wake up Christmas morning and find [them] standing by our tree." ~Bring Him Home Santa... with some edits.I open the shed to get out the Christmas decorations. It's the first time in a while that I've actually done so. It just hasn't felt like Christmas the past few years.When I reach for the box that holds the tree ornaments, a small, crinkled paper falls...

Boss falls asleep staring at a picture of her husband. Today would be their 16-year anniversary if he were still around. No matter how many happy thoughts she fills her mind with before closing her eyes, the memories return.They were walking through a small town, guard up. Her feelings are safely tucked away in a hidden place, a dark place at the back of her mind. She told herself she was just doing her job; just listenin...

It's an understatement to say that Stepmonster wasn't all too happy when I got home twenty minutes late. But because he was hungry, he let me make dinner first. Small reprieve, but a reprieve all the same. He had me sit down next to him and watch him eat. Not that I was hungry. In fact, it made me even more thankful for the stop at the cafe that Adam made.Stepmonster tried his version of small-talk."So what were you doing...

Hey guys. My name's Sapphire. Yes, like the gemstone. I know, original, right? What were my parents thinking? Well, my eyes are sapphire blue. Gorgeous image, right? Jealous? Don't be.Have any of you ever heard of schizophrenia? Do you know what it really is? Or is all of your knowledge from one source: movies?Thought so. Not many people actually know what all it entails. Hell, even I don't know everything about it, but I...

As Adam knocks on Boss' door, he goes over the events of the previous day.There wasn't anything to question about the actions of Chase Brickley. It was clear he needed much more than a stern talking-to from the school or his parents. He needed to realize that at his age of 18, he can- and will if Adam has anything to say about it- be tried for attempted rape and assault. Not to mention the very recent stabbing.Philena had...