Serena

I couldn't tell my mom. I tried, and I just couldn't. What's worse, she didn't try to make me.

**************************************************

Later, I had cried out every tear I had, but it wasn't enough.

Just as I'd parked my car outside the complex where I now lived, a spark of hope flared inside me.

No one ever would know.

I sprinted up the stairs, I just couldn't handle the idleness of taking the elevator. I needed to run.

I burst through the door and immediately headed for the hall closet.

I pulled out a large suitcase and stuffed as many of my clothes as I could in it.

**************************************************

Finally, I was packed. But I still wasn't done. There was one last thing I needed to do.

I ran into the kitchen, grabbed a pencil and pulled a pad of بان paper out from under the phone.

I knew who would come looking for me first.

Shaun, I wrote.

I'm leaving. Please, please, don't tell anyone why. Pretend آپ don't know. Act like I never existed.

Don't come looking for me. I want آپ to finish college, and اقدام on. آپ deserve happiness, which I can't ever give you, no matter how much I wish I could. And don't blame yourself. It's my fault. It's entirely my fault.

I still love you, and I always will.

Serena.

A small tear fell onto the page. I turned my head, and ripped the page from the pad.

I pinned it to the door of my bedroom.

I glanced back over my shoulder one last time, as I closed the door of my apartment, and closed the door on everyone I'd ever known and loved.