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“I live right next door. I’m Emily. Nice to meet you,” she uttered.

“This isn’t the best time for a nice to meet you, but I’ll take it,” I added.

“Why? Why are you doing this to yourself? Aren’t you, like 18?” she questioned.

“It’s been hard, I guess,” I said.

“No matter how hard it is, you shouldn’t do this to yourself. It is still unreasonable
to harm yourself. You are so dumb!” she said.

I looked dead straight into her eyes, and it felt like I was going to lose my mind. I
was angry.

“Do you think it is that easy? To quit this stupid addiction that has influenced me
ever since I was eight years old? You’re just lucky you have minimal problems!
My parents were never there for me. I have lived alone since I was 15. I only

have myself. Why can’t you cut me some slack? Why is it just ten times harder
for me all the time? I didn’t choose to be born this way! If I knew my life was
destined to be like this, I would have died earlier.” I screamed at her as I broke
down.

“I already got through this once, it is not easy, but it is possible”, she said. “Don’t
drink until the sun comes up, ok? Your life is valuable.”

I specifically remembered that moment. It was the first time someone looked me
in the eye and reassured me. It motivated me to change for the better. She
helped me start my recovery, and I cherish her dearly. This was my quest to be
sober.

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