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Chapter Nine

SHAYLA

IONLY REALIZE WHEREmy feet have taken me when the front door opens, and a startled Hope lets me in. "Shayla?"

And I only realizewhyI'm here the moment I see her surprise turn to concern. "What is it?"

Ever since my parents' divorce, I've been determined to do things on my own.

To prove to everyone that I'm strong and independent, and that no one has any reason to look down on me even though I've come from a broken family.

I don't even like saying that word.

Broken.

Every time I hear someone talk about my family like that, it makes me feel they think I'm broken, too, by default.

And so I've made it a pointneverto ask for help.

Until now.

Because I think...

I really think I'm about to break.

"Oh, Shay."

Hope gets me inside, and I'm not sure how long I end up crying in their living room. I can't even make myself care that her husband's there to witness my breakdown.

I'm just so tired.

So, so tired of pretending to be strong when I'm really not.

And these two.

It's, like, they know exactly when and when not to speak.

They're perfect, really.

Either that...or it's just like Hope says, and God's the reason why they are how they are.