One day after practice, he walks me home,

"Hey, I have something to tell you." The love of my life says. 

That second, world spinning, tears running, mouth opening without sound. 

"I'm sorry." He says, "We'll still be friends."

One day after school, I check my email. 

"Hey, I have something to tell you." College Board says. 

My hands shaking, slowly clicking, heart pumping. 

"I'm sorry." My SAT score tells me. "You can try one more time."

One day at lunch, the bully walks over. 

"Hey, I have something to tell you." She says. 

My lunch dropping, my face hurting, my heart breaking. 

"I'm sorry." She says. "I guess your English isn't good enough."

"Hey, I have something to tell you."

8 bombs in Sri Lanka. 9 hours until the last heartbeat. 10 seconds until the end of race.

I won, I lost. 

With pain, 

I grew up. 

I glow up.