At 20 years old, Emily had already faced more challenges than most. She had dropped out of her first school at 14, a decision that had changed the course of her life. Moving to a new town with her parents had seemed like a fresh start, but it had brought its own set of struggles.
Emily's parents were strict, too strict for her liking. They monitored her every move, from installing a CCTV camera in her room to calling her whenever she took a break from studying. They meant well, she knew that, but their love often felt suffocating.
Despite the challenges, Emily threw herself into her new school life. She joined the senior western band, became the guitarist of the school orchestra, and was even appointed as the deputy head prefect of the school. But behind her bright smile, she hid a world of pain.
Everyone thought Emily had it all together, that her life was perfect. But they didn't see the tears she cried in her room every night, the loneliness that gnawed at her heart. She longed to talk to her parents, to make them understand, but the fear of hurting them held her back.
One day, a ray of light entered Emily's life in the form of a friend from her old school. They had never been close, but they bonded over their shared experiences. This friend 'Rosy' became Emily's lifeline, the one person she could truly be herself with.
But even with her friend's support, Emily's struggles continued. She felt the pressure of her final school exams looming over her, a reminder of all the expectations placed upon her. She knew she had to pass, not just for herself, but for her parents who had sacrificed so much for her.
As Emily sat at her desk, studying late into the night, she couldn't help but wonder if this was all there was to life. Was she destined to live for others, to wear a mask of smiles while her heart cried out in silence? Or could she find the courage to speak her truth, to break free from the chains that bound her?