He was an actor-to-be.

I could see it in high cheekbones, in dark curly hair, and easy grace. It showed when he stood fluidly and mightily in front of judgmental eyes. He looked like a god up there, filling every inch of the stage.

He was willing to sacrifice anything, money, comfort, even future stability for his dream.

“If I’ll starve, at least I’ll starve doing what I love.”

Words only eighteen-year-olds could feel proud of.

His unwavering resolve painted a picture both daunting and beautiful, a perfect canvas for a success story. It colored my world. 

Law school lost its shine, the politics I dabbled in didn't really help anyone, campaigning to get power for another liar… What was the point? I knew what I wanted to be doing. And law wasn’t it.

I quit.

It was worth it when I saw the excited gleam in his eyes. When my heart almost beat itself out of my chest. I applied everywhere I could. I was going to be a teacher. I was going to change the lives of teenagers, just like my own teachers had changed mine.

But, the world isn’t meant for success stories. Everywhere I looked there were dollar signs and my mother’s pinched face, eyes pained in complete disappointment with herself.

I wanted to scream.

“Try harder.” But while he sat across from me, looking grim… all I could think was that I was the only one risking anything.

All I could see where thousands of dollars in his bank account, the millions his old man was gonna leave him. The way university pricing meant absolutely nothing to him. “I’m sure you’ll find a way.”

What would you know, Trust Fund? Hover over my lips.

“Dreaming isn’t meant for people like me.” It’s just not.