Scars.

I close my eyes. Tears stream down my face. All I see is you. Still. Why? Why can’t I escape the pain, the fear, the hurt.

I open my eyes. I pretend. Pretend I’m okay. A smile plastered across my face, day after day after day...

Removing my clothes piece by piece I step into the shower. The water scorching hot. I try to wash away the memories running throughout my mind every second, all the time.

Water and tears...streaming down my face.

I’m not sure what is real anymore.

I close my eyes. The memories, all of them back instantly.

There you are. Your eyes locked with mine. I scream till I can no longer see you.

My legs shaking, I can't stand up any longer. I sit against the faucet, water pouring down my back and disappearing into the drain.

Alone. I'm standing in my room. The floor full of broken glass. My mirror standing in the corner, shattered. Every piece of me in a piece of my once perfect mirror.

My confidence. My love. My passion. My smile. The sparkle in my eyes. The sweetness of my lips.

You took every piece of me. Everything that made me me...gone.

Left behind...a shell of a person. Lost, confused, hopeless.

I open my eyes. Standing up, I turn off the water and step out. Wrapping the towel around my body, I walk to my room. Climbing into bed, I try to fall asleep, hoping to escape the thoughts running through my mind.

But again, there you are.

Only this time smiling, laughing, happy. I smile. My stomach in knots...as I remember the beauty of back then but not ever wanting to go back.

I smile.

I go to grab your hand but it’s out of reach. You turn, your back facing me. I call out your name but nothing. I call it again, this time louder. Still nothing.

Silence.

I follow you.

You finally turn back. Stopping me in my tracks, our eyes meet. You mouth, “I’m sorry.”

Tears flow down my cheeks. You turn back around and keep on walking.

I open my eyes. My pillow soaked from my tears.

I get out of bed. I put on a pair of underwear and my oversized Friends T-shirt and climb back under my covers.

I put on Kacey, her voice calming as I stare up at the ceiling. Tears of relief begin to stream down my cheeks. My eyes close as I begin to fall back asleep.

I stand in the same room. Only this time there's no shattered glass.

No you.

My bedroom mirror stands intact in the corner. I walk towards it and see a sparkle on the ground in front of it. A small piece of glass. I notice a space in the corner, the piece in my hands fits perfectly, like a missing puzzle piece.

I smile. For the first time in a long time I take a deep breath. I stare back at myself for a few moments.

As I stand, my reflection stares back at me through my mirror. The cracks in the glass are like are like the scars you left. Here to serve as a reminder...a reminder that I overcame, I survived and I will continue to stand tall.