Dear Stranger

Dear Stranger,

One day I stumbled upon this guy on social media, someone from when I was young. I messaged him, but things didn’t look too hopeful. I came on strong and the timing in our lives wasn’t right. 

Fast forward, we met up at the library and everything changed from there. Our lives intertwined despite being the completely opposite. I shouldn’t have fallen for him, but we provided each other with something the other needed the most. We knew it was a bad idea, but people do crazy things when they feel lost and alone. 

Fast forward, things were going well despite him getting in trouble and the consequences that followed. Time changed and I started to neglect myself and he started to get high more. Life got rough, and the truth came out. We ignored the harsh written reality that was spelled out in front of us. 

Fast forward more, things got worse and we grew distant. I became so busy to quiet the relentless thoughts that were roaming in my head. Well, Stranger, the ending got messy. Boundaries blurred, feeling got played, and emotions ran wild. We wouldn’t let go of what we worked so hard to maintain; the false hope of a future together. We lasted longer than we should have and by relying on only each other, we were left with almost nothing. Emotions had gotten the better of us, he turned more to drugs to take away his pain. We ended with an argument that broke all ties, knots, and frayed ends of our rope of love we strung for too long.

The relationship taught me lessons I’ll never forget. I learned how to love myself again. The impact of how much strength addiction has, and the sheer power of will. I learned the harsh pain that haunts the truth, and the abrupt pain from being knocked down off the pedestal of trust. I learned hope could be the one thing that will cause the greatest suffering. Don’t get me wrong, Stranger, there were good times, great times. Ones that I will treasure and hold near to my heart, the heart that you swore to protect.

Stranger, you were the light at the end of my tunnel. You were my everything, my shotgun rider, my forever. But now you’ve returned to what you’ll always be to me: a stranger. 

Sincerely,                               

Somebody you used to know.