LOGINFor a moment, I feel that crushing guilt all over again. I don’t deserve her. I know that. But God, I love her. The song ends to roaring applause, but I barely hear it. Anxiety suddenly claws back into my chest, heavy and sharp. I turn away quickly and head back toward the pit. Focus. I need to focu
The stadium lights burn bright against the darkening evening sky, throwing silver across the packed dirt track and turning the haze of kicked-up dust into glowing clouds. The air smells of gasoline, hot rubber, sweat, and rain-soaked earth. To me, it smells like home. My chest tightens as I stand
My dad hugs me next just as tightly. “You’ve worked harder than anyone I know.” I laugh shakily against his shoulder. “I think I’m running purely on caffeine at this point.” “That sounds about right,” Chase calls from nearby. I immediately laugh as my brother pulls me into another hug. “You surviv
By Friday afternoon, I am fairly certain I have survived what could only be described as hell week. The past several days have blurred together into one endless cycle of stress and exhaustion. Exam after exam. Meeting after meeting. File after file. Paper after paper. Every morning starts before sun
I straighten my shoulders and steady my breathing just as the exam papers are handed out across the room. The second the instructor announces we could begin, something inside me shifts completely. Focus. Pure focus. My pencil moves across the paper almost instantly. Question after question flows fro
Sunlight filters softly through the curtains the next morning, casting a warm golden streak across the bed. I start to stir slowly beneath the blankets, still wrapped in the lingering comfort of sleep. For a few moments, I stay curled up on my side, eyes closed, listening to the quiet hum of the apa
Later that night, I am in my hotel room getting ready for this dinner with the guy I’m dating and my parents. I can’t truly say if Garrett is my boyfriend, as we haven’t had a conversation to make things official. Well, we’ve not exactly had the time to have this conversation. Our calls and texts la
“Oh, come on now, dear, that is something at least. I trust Jennifer’s judgement, you should too.” I just hope Mom can calm Dad down to let me live my life and not be under their shadow for the rest of my life. I turn and look at my dad to see a contemplating look on his face. Is what Mom just said
“The guy is lying in a hospital bed with no memory of the last two years, for starters. You are dating a guy who has the same interests as Greg, and lastly, Greg is still in love with you even if he can’t remember what happened two years ago. This would probably kill him if he agrees and signs it.”
The next day, the three of us met with my parents down in the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Mom greeted the three of us the same with a single kiss on the cheek and a hug. We ordered a round of mimosas for the table, as this feels like a morning of celebration. Dad asked Sav what the news was that







