I gradually gained some more friends, but Hillel and I remained the best of friends, even after we finished college. One day, while we were browsing a music store, we were talking about different artists. We talked about how the notes would be too high for us to sing on certain songs, so we agreed that we would change the key to hit those notes. The store owner had been listening to our conversation. He said, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. What instrument do you guys play?" I said, "I play guitar." Hillel replied, "I also play guitar." The store owner said, "Well, I have a program on the side where I have people teach kids how to play instruments. Our guitar teachers both quit. I could use two new guitar teachers. What do you say?" I said, "That would be great." Hillel said, "I think so, too!" Pretty soon, Hillel and I started teaching guitar. As we were leaving to go home, I said to Hillel, "If my friends could see me now!" Hillel said, "Letty, they were not your friends." I said, "I know that." I was referring to the acquaintances I had in high school. They didn't think I'd make it in music, but I did. Maybe I'm not a famous rock star, but I'm sure I'm teaching some future ones.
THE END
THE END
It was summer, and I was back at home helping my parents with the farm. The summer was really fun, and I really enjoyed it. Hillel and I kept in touch throughout the summer. One day, when we talked over the phone, I said, "My parents said it was okay with them. I wanted to ask you if you would like to share an apartment with me this year. I don't want to go through another bad roommate experience." He said, "I'd love to! I'll go ask my parents if it's okay." There was silence for a long time. After a long time of silence, I heard Hillel's voice again. He said, "I'm back. They said that since it was okay with your parents, it was okay with them." I said, "That's great." Toward the end of the summer, we moved into our apartment. I was glad that I didn't have to put up with a roommate listening to rap music and refusing to turn it down. I later learned that Hillel was a very valuable roommate. I never knew that one day, he would end up saving my life.
TO BE CONTINUED
TO BE CONTINUED
After a long time of getting bullied, I began to consider self-harm. I confessed this consideration to Zoe and Gavin. Zoe said, "Please don't hurt yourself. It's not the answer." Gavin said, "Zoe's right. If you hurt yourself, you'll have to deal with all those scars. Why do you want to hurt yourself anyway?" I began to cry. He hugged me and said, "It's all right. You can tell me." I talked about all the bullying I was facing. Zoe said, "Alyssa, those bullies are just losers. You have family and friends who love you." Gavin said, "That's right. You don't have to hurt yourself. Any time something is bothering you, tell us." I said, "Okay." Zoe said, "If you hurt yourself, you won't be the only one who hurts. We'll be hurt, too." I said, "I don't want to hurt you all." We shared a group hug. Over the years, I gained some friends and lost some, too, but I still had Zoe and Gavin. They will be my closest friends until the end of time.
THE END
THE END