Back in my room, I clutched my body, fighting back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. Crying was for the weak, I reminded myself, taking deep breaths to regain my composure.
My gaze shifted to the scratch marks that Smith had left on my skin, a painful reminder of what had just transpired. I had to stay calm, to remind myself that I was not weak. I couldn't let the actions of others define my strength.
I lay down on the bed, my mind racing, telling myself that I had faced challenges before and come out stronger. I wouldn't let this incident break me, no matter how much it shook me to my core.
As I lay on the bed, fighting back the memories of that unsettling encounter, I couldn't help but wonder about my resilience. It was conversations with friends like Lily and the support o
