"You're a what?" Tristen's shocked expression said it all. I have lost everything even though I haven't lost anything. Yet. The sun's rays shone on her light brown eyes that allowed me to see my reflection in them. I got to see the person she has considered her friend for the past three years in high school. How did she see me now? I suddenly felt naked, inside and out. Like I've finally been exposed after all these years. It was so much easier not to say anything to anyone, that I knew especially, about it. It was so much easier to keep it hidden. But now my secrets out, and even though I've only told Tristen, she will tell everyone; popular and unpopular.

My breathing slowed and I took deep breaths inward; on some of my breaths I forgot to exhale and I suffocated briefly, basically feeling physically what I felt emotionally, spiritually. The wooden park bench didn't feel stable enough to hold me up anymore. I felt like I was lava and slowly I'll melt the bench until there's nothing left but ash and smoke. And as much as it pained me to say it again, I did it anyway.

 "I'm a Christian."