"Christmas break was over."
Talia sighed as she stared at the calendar, anxiety written all over her face. The days ahead felt heavy as she realized she would soon be facing another set of challenges. Another semester. Another test of her worth.
I hope this year will bring me success, she thought. This month, the school would announce the students who made it to the honors list and with it, the release of grades she had been overthinking for weeks.
The thought alone made her chest tighten.
Talia wasn't unhappy because she disliked studying. She was unhappy because she was afraid, afraid of failing, afraid of not being enough. Her parents expected so much from her, and she carried those expectations like a constant weight on her shoulders. Every grade mattered. Every mistake felt unforgivable.
In trying so hard not to disappoint others, Talia slowly forgot how to breathe for herself.
While sitting on the couch, Talia scrolled through her phone absentmindedly. Her thumb suddenly froze when she came across an old photo. It was of a younger version of herself, a girl smiling brightly, her eyes full of light, medals hanging proudly around her neck.
Her chest tightened.
"I miss you… I miss how innocent you were," Talia whispered.
Memories rushed back as she slowly lifted her gaze toward the cabinet across the room. The medals were still there, neatly displayed, shining under the soft light. She stood up and walked closer, her reflection faintly visible on their polished surface.
She barely recognized the girl staring back at her.
The medals reflected her face older, tired, and carrying more pressure than pride. Once, those awards symbolized joy and achievement. Now, they felt like reminders of who she used to be… and who she was afraid she could no longer become.
She slowly opened the cabinet and gently held the medals, as if they were still a part of her.
"I wish I had just stayed there," she whispered, "a brilliant girl who could easily accomplish her goals."
Her fingers tightened around the cold metal.
"You are me… but I'm not you anymore."
With a quiet breath, she carefully placed the medals back where they belonged. She closed the cabinet, the soft click echoing through the room, and walked away, leaving behind a part of herself she wasn't sure she could ever return to.