acceptance.
She shrugged. “I’m good at judging people.”
I didn’t press further and began to eat. After breakfast, Lucy dragged me hiking.
On the way, we talked like we’d known each other for years – about ourselves, our
futures, our pasts.
Lucy’s past was far more exciting than mine. She traveled extensively, renting places and singing in bars wherever she went, leaving when she felt like it.
I’d been trapped in the Hayes household for
ten years.
At the mountaintop, Lucy suddenly said,
“Love isn’t about promises or the future. The ending doesn’t erase the beautiful moments.” I smiled bitterly; my relationship with Harrison
く
was one–sided.
She linked arms with me. “Claire, you’re
weighed down. You need to break free,
explore yourself, define yourself, choose
yourself; that’s what it means to truly live!”
“To be loved, you must first love yourself.”
Then, she grabbed her camera and started
taking pictures.
I watched her run around, replaying her
words.
Years in the Hayes household had dulled my
edges; I’d lost the right to be reckless.
Leaving the Hayes family, leaving Harrison,
was the first decision I’d made for myself in
years.
But I felt like a dandelion seed, adrift,
homeless.
L
I’d never considered my future, only escaping
on courage alone.
But I’m only 25. Even if I admit to being
swallowed by darkness, I want to live in the
light.
Lucy returned, pulling me to sit and watch the
sky.
She pointed out clouds, commenting on their
shapes.
In the Hayes house, I was always told what to
do; this freedom was unimaginable.
We sat, watched the clouds, talked about
nonsense.
I made a decision.
To bravely step forward.
Since I’d left my comfort zone, I’d live my own
life.
<
“Lucy, I want to travel, see the world.”
Lucy happily slung her arm around me. “Let’s do it! We’ll create a travel vlogging channel, document our journey, and make money!” “I’ll take the pictures, you’re gorgeous, we’ll be huge!”
Her enthusiasm was contagious.
“I majored in English literature; I can write the scripts. I can learn anything else.”
Lucy clapped excitedly. “Perfect! We’re meant
to be friends.”
Her words made me laugh.
Lucy was a woman of action.
We headed back, ready to start.
I confessed I hadn’t brought anything; I needed to replace my ID and stay longer. On our way down, I pulled out my SIM card
