C C A A feels like a
writtenby
In the quiet village of Villa Esperanza, where gardens bloomed and neighbors treated each other like family, everyone knew the name Faith.
From childhood, she was the girl who seemed to have it all—pretty, polite, and always at the top of her class.
Teachers adored her, classmates admired her, and parents often told their children, “BelikeFaith”
By the time she reached college, her reputation only grew. She spoke with confidence, volunteered at every event, and came from a family who gave her everything she needed.
To
others, Faith’s life looked flawless.
But
what no one realized was that
Perfection, though beautiful, could sometimes feel like a Prison.
One rainy evening, Faith overheard her parents speaking in hushed tones. Their voices, usually light, carried a weight that unsettled her.
That night, they confessed the truth—the family business was At first, Faith brushed it aside. Her parents had always managed to solve problems. But soon, she noticed the signs: her father’s tired eyes, her mother’s forced smile, the unpaid bills gathering on the counter.
At school, Faith kept smiling. She laughed with friends, joined meetings, and stood tall as if nothing was wrong.
what once felt like Pride now felt like Chains
But inside, she was unraveling. She slept less, skipped meals, and slowly pulled away from people who might notice her pain.
The image she had built for years—perfect student, perfect daughter, perfect girl—grew heavier by the day.
The breaking point came during a school presentation. Standing in front of her classmates, Faith’s hands trembled, her throat tightened, and her voice cracked.
For the first time, she froze. Whispers filled the room as she rushed to the bathroom.
She locked the door and stared at her reflection—pale skin, swollen eyes, slumped shoulders. The truth hit her hard: the perfect Faith everyone admired was falling apart.
After that day, she could no longer keep up the act. Her grades slipped, her presence in organizations faded, and rumors began to spread.
One evening at dinner, the weight became too much. Through tears, she told her parents how exhausting it had been to always smile, always excel, always hide her weakness.
Her parents listened closely. Then, with quiet reassurance, they reminded her that she didn’t need to be perfect to be loved.
Thatnight,Faithrealizedhercagehadneverbeenherlife—it wastheperfectionsheforceduponherself.Everymedal,every praise,everyforcedsmilehadbeenanotherbar.
Theroadaheadwasstilluncertain.Thefamilybusiness remainedintrouble,andherownstrugglesweren’tover.But now,shenolongercarriedtheweightalone.
The End Grade 8 -
CMD