"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I think you forgot how the world works. How it’s ok to be sad, angry, or even happy. You lost your memories of why you let these emotions roll through you like a tidal wave. Slowly and surely you withered away to ashes and broken dreams. I think you repressed all the things that made you stand out and be the beautiful weirdo I know you to be. The saddest part of it all, is that it happened and were powerless to stop it. You took all the words he said and believed them. You are not worthless. You are not lazy. And you are most definitely not stupid. These are words that come from a cruel man and it’s ok to be broken from it. Your limbs must be tired and achy from carry the weight. I am here to say forgive him. Forgive him and his seething hatred so you can forgive yourself.
I forgive you for not believing you can come back from this. The pit in my stomach will lessen knowing you are going to be ok. The anger, sadness, and joy you once felt will return and when it does I will be waiting for you. When you return to me in 5, 10, maybe 15 years, I will still love you the same as when you left all those years ago. I will still love you as I did then and we will be better together.