"I just want to remind you that everything you say will be kept between us only, Josephine."

I looked at the women across me with red cat eye glasses and a hair styled in a beehive. Her name was Judy. She was nice and patient with me. It made me feel bad for the sessions where I wouldn't say anything to her and just look out the window.

It's been three weeks since that day. During that time I was admitted to a hospital where they have been taking care of me. I visit judy for a session three times a week. There are some weeks where we make progress and I am able to talk to her about the things that keep me up at night. There are other times where it feels like I haven't moved at all and I'm right back where I started. It's frustrating but I still push through so one day I can fulfill my mother's promise.

"I'm leaving tomorrow." I said slowly. The words tasted weird on my mouth. A part of me wanted to get out of here desperately but another part of me wanted to stay here where I didn't have to face the harsh realities of the world. In here it was quiet and peaceful. There was a routine that I followed everyday. Wake up, eat breakfast, go to group therapy, socialize with other patients, eat lunch, either have my session with Judy or I have alone time, socialize with the other patients again, eat dinner, watch a movie in the open area, get ready for bed, and sleep. During my time here Linda would visit me every other day and she would keep me updated on what was happening at school and at home.

One time I blew up at her because I got tired of only hearing the school gossip. I told her that I didn't care if Diana and George went on a date right after Diana broke up with Tom and I told her to shut up. I felt horrible about it and cried while begging for her forgiveness. When I talked about it with Judy she said perhaps it was because things like that feel insignificant after you attempt. She was right. But she was also wrong. In all my time here I wished and I waited for a certain pair of green eyes to visit me.

Soda was the one who found me. Linda told me never in her life had she seen a grown man cry the way Soda did when he called her to tell her what happened with me. I only recall being conscious once during this whole time. His arms were wrapped around me while rocking back and forth. He kept calling my name to wake up. He smelled like home to me. Cigarettes, his cologne, and the faint scent of gasoline.

"How does that make you feel?" Judy asked.

I shrugged and bit my lip. "I feel conflicted. I don't think I'm ready. I don't even know where I'm going to go." I told her.

"Truth be told I don't think anyone is ever ready to face the real world. It's harsh out there but, Josephine, I see something in you that I haven't seen in many of my patients who leave."

I looked back at her with confusion. "What's that?"

She smiled kindly at me. "Perseverance."

I blinked at her. "Really?"

"Of course dear. I wouldn't lie to you. You have gone through so many hardships and struggles and pain. Yet I can see in your eyes that despite all this you have hope. You have hope that things will get better for you and they will if you continue to persevere."

I felt a smile form at the corners of my lips and I looked down at my lap. "Thank you."

The rest of the day I focused on drawing a portrait of Judy that I had been working on for a couple of days. That night I spent the entire time staring blankly at the ceiling wondering what the world would hold for me outside the hospital doors.

A/N Hello lovelies! I know this is a super short chapter but hey at least I updated!

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