Nostalgic is how I feel as I sing along to a song from the early twenty tens. A sad smile is on my face as I remember the memories I created back then: I really can't believe how fast time is moving.

I feel like life was so easy and fun then, or was I just too young to see the real world?

I had nothing to worry about, and I wasn't so deep in my feelings. Yes, I do remember passing through some struggles, which weren't that serious.

I want to go back to my childhood, cause adulting is not working like it's suppose it. I'm tired of thinking about this messed up world and what's to come.

A sigh leaves my mouth as I think about the future. I can't help but ask if I'll live to see where this world will go.

Will I really live to see the future? I always ask myself this question, but I never seem to have an answer.

To be honest, I never thought I'd reach my twenties. I always thought I'd die in my teen years.

I've heard people say that being a teenager is the most amazing part of life, because you get closer to being an adult. But I guess those people were lying.

My teenage life was a nightmare, it's an era that I never want to go back to.

During my teens, I was getting groomed by a good for nothing man, I was almost assaulted, and everyone in high school hated me-- for reasons that are unknown to me.

Because of everything that I passed through, I began consuming a lot of alcohol, and I also started doing drugs-- which made me very suicidal.

I was very depressed back then, and the only things that seemed to make me feel better were the toxic substances that I consumed on a daily basis.

I developed addictions that were so very close to killing me. I turned into a clown I'm embarrassed to talk about. I turned into a sorry excuse of a daughter-- I became a disappointment to my parents, and to myself.

I always hid from those that I knew, not wanting them to see the embarrassment that I became. I didn't want anyone to say more bad things about me. I didn't want to continue dwelling in my self-pity.

I'm really glad I overcame that era. I'm really glad I'm no longer part of that life.

Yes, I do admit that it took a while for me to overcome my demons. It took me months to realize that I was ruining my life, and it took me an entire year to get clean.

Addiction is something that can't be overcome with a snap of a finger: it takes a lot of dedication, and hard work. It also takes a lot of support from one's loved ones.

I usually wonder why people mock and laugh at those that have addictions-- I wonder why they can't offer the person a helping hand.

Honestly, I would be six feet under if my parents gave up on me, or I would be in a mental hospital. My life would be a complete mess and I would have nobody but myself to blame.

Yes, because no one held the drugs and alcohol to my mouth. I had a choice to turn away from them before I even got a taste. I could have stood up to my bullies. I could have begged for a transfer. I could have avoided being groomed.

But I didn't, and the excuse I have for doing the things I did is very simple and straightforward-- I didn't know any better.

I was always taught about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, but I wasn't taught everything that I needed to know.

Nobody told me that one sip or sniff of the toxic substances was enough to get me hooked. Nobody told me that one taste of the substances was enough to almost get my life ruined.

Nobody taught me that the devil that ruins will make me get comfortable first-- they didn't tell me that the devil will give me relief before wanting to kill me.

People talk about the dangers of substance abuse, but they forget to mention how safe it makes you feel before it begins to ruin you.

I shake my head as I try to forget the life that I used to live-- which thankfully works.

I don't want to remember that part of my life... I've left it in the past, and I never plan on going back to it.

A breath of relief leaves my mouth as I stand up from the floor, my heart filled with happiness as I finally manage to get all of Mr Martino's files in order.

Every single file I own seemed to get into Mr Martino's file, and I'm thankful I got to check everything before I left my room-- cause he would be reading my gynecologist report right now.

I walk towards my bed, grabbing my car keys and plate-- which was filled with cookies when I got here.

It seems like my parents knew about my coming home today, because they baked a lot of my favorite pastries before they left for their trip.

My parents are out of town for their monthly anniversary. They have been married for twenty three years, and yet they still go out to celebrate the day that they met on... I really hope I get to have a love like theirs.

I hope I marry a man that loves me like my father loves my mother, because I know that I will love him like my mother loves my father.

And most importantly, I want him to love our future children like my parents love me.

My parents aren't perfect, but they are to me. We argue and disagree on a lot of things, but that doesn't change the love that we have for each other.

The two are my idols. They are my true best friends. They are my true supporters. And they are my everything.

My parents have sacrificed a lot for me to be where I am today, and they continue to make sacrifices for me to this day.

They never complain. They have never raised their hand on me. And they have never called me names-- even when I disappoint them.

They always sit me down when I do something wrong. They tell me the consequences of my actions without sugarcoating anything, and they always render help to me without judging me.

A smile forms on my face as I think of my parents-- I really miss them. I can't wait for them to come back.

My feet carry me downstairs, and into the kitchen, where I run into Mrs. Smith.

I bid her my goodbyes, the two of us sharing a hug before she hands me two bags that are full of all my favorite foods-- this is the life I want, forever.

I walk towards my car after promising to see her soon, blowing her a kiss when I get inside the car.

I place the bags on the passenger's seat before beginning to drive out of the yard, singing along to my favorite songs as I drive into the main road, happy to see that there is no traffic today.

It doesn't take me more than fifty minutes to get to Mr. Martino's mansion, which makes my tired ass happy. I really need to sleep.

I do what's required of me when I reach the gate, waving at the guard that I have become very familiar with... He's always on duty when I'm going out and when I'm coming back.

A sigh leaves my mouth as I park my car in its usually spot, my eyes beginning to wander around as I imagine owning such beauty.

My mind always manages to create events that will likely never happen. It has managed to create images of a future that seems so damn difficult to achieve.

I can't count the many times that I've dreamt of owning a big mansion-- that my parents and I can live in. I can't count the many times that I've imagined myself owning big expensive cars. I can't count the many times that I've imagined myself taking my parents on vacation-- with my own money of course.

I can't wait for when I'll make my imaginations a reality. I can't wait to fulfill my dreams.

After making sure I've grabbed the file and bags, I get out my car, locking it as I walk towards the house entrance, greeting the police officers that I find there-- they are different ones today.

I rush to place the bags in my room, not wanting to leave them in the kitchen, fearing that someone will eat my food.

I don't mind sharing, but I do mind someone eating what belongs to me without my permission.

I walk towards Mr Martino's office, getting concerned when I only find Hunter, who looks quite drunk. "What happened here?" I ask, grabbing the two half filled alcohol bottles from Hunter's hands, ignoring the whines that leave his mouth.

"Diego is locked in that art room of his, and I'm worried that he'll hurt himself, again... Please, convince him to leave that place: I don't want him to get hurt," Hunter slurs, hiccuping as he begins to doze off on the floor, where I found him.

I sigh when I see this, not liking the image in front of me. I want to help him off the floor, but I know that he can crash me with one hand.

And that's why I rush out of the room, telling the two guards that I bump into to help Hunter, and thankfully they listen to me.

The two men help Hunter to his room with a bit of difficulty, and I thank them after I make sure he's safe. I place advil on his side table, with two bottles of water before beginning my journey to Mr Martino's art room.

My legs feel like jelly as I get closer to the art room, my hand beginning to get cold as I knock on the door.

His reply comes a few minutes later, his deep voice commanding me to enter.

I obey him, my heart beginning to beat fast as I walk inside the room.

Mr Martino doesn't say anything to me when I enter, but he does point to a couch that is a few feet from where he is.

I take that as an invitation to seat, placing the file and my laptop, which I grabbed on my way here, on my laps, watching as Mr Martino stands from his seat, moving towards the big floor to ceiling window, finally noticing the phone that is pressed to his ear.

A sigh leaves my mouth as I wait for him to finish with his call, my eyes beginning to wander around the room as I take in the beautiful art pieces-- Mr. Martino is very talented.

I continue to look around, my lips parting in awe when I see a picture of a woman that looks just like... Me?

Author's Note.