365 Days (Part 1) | ✓

180. Running

180. Running: Write about running away from someone or something.

"I feel like once this summer is over, so is my childhood," I texted, slipping into my deep self that occasionally breaks out of writer's shell into my reality.

"It has to happen," Carol said.

"I wish summer would never end," Nathan messaged.

I wished so too. Because the end of summer signaled the beginning of a new life -- a life of adulthood. How can I adequately explain the melancholy feelings accompanying this? It is the farewell to an old, familiar life. I wish I had the words.

Maybe I am more affected than others because of a nasty habit I have of clinging to memories. When my life is hard -- and unfortunately, I am in a season of it where I am struggling -- I tend to dwell on the happy past than the hopeful future. I want time to rewind instead of going forward, because going back means I know where I'm headed.

Adulting. It's a terrible idea.

Things are ending. I don't want them to. I want to flee from this upheaval.

Contentment is a hard lesson to learn, but I had swallowed it and been pleased with my life. I had my family, my friends, and my own small pleasures to combat a heavy workload. I learned to be content in my situation, and then it changes. I admit, the reason I want to stop time so badly is because I am on the verge of losing people.

My friends. My beloved friends who I love so much. I love them so, so much. There is not any one of them that I wouldn't die for. Maybe they don't hold that depth of feeling for me, but that's okay. Love doesn't have to be returned to be love.

They're leaving for college. Most of them are going out-of-state. They were ambitious, responsible, and intelligent, and they now reaped the benefits with scholarships. I will miss them.

Turn back the clock, please, of please. Give me more time.

I want to run from this. Run from the future that is being thrust upon me. I am not ready, I want to return to simple days. But there are people I must take care of, and even though I try to escape, their needs will inevitably bring me back to the road to adulthood.