LETS     JUST     SAY     THAT     THIS     WASN’T     EXPECTED.     Sitting     across     from     someone     who     he     had     HORRID     memories     aligned     with     during         a     youth     of     HIGH     SCHOOL.       BAD     MEMORIES,     &&     enjoying         company     rather     than     hostilities     fired     back      //     FORTH     like     in     the     days     of     OLD-     two     years     it     had     been     since     graduation,     SINCE     IT     HAD     BEEN     SENIOR     YEAR         (     his     failed     attempt     )         &&     they     both     look     different.     ALMOST     having     not     recognized     the     other,     double     take    -     TRIPLE     TAKE. 

“ have you been writing those letters to yourself? ” “ dear ____, today’s gonna be a good day & here’s why…” “ can we try to have an optimistic outlook, huh? ” “ can we buck up just enough to see the world won’t fall apart? ” “ we’re not giving up before we’ve tried. ” “ this year, we make a new start. ” “ perfect. ” “ i’m proud of you already. ” “ another stellar conversation for the scrapbook. ” “ i’m kinda coming up empty. ” “ does anybody have a map? ” “ anybody maybe happen to know how the hell to do this? ” “ i don’t know if you can tell, but this is just me pretending to know. ” “ i need a clue. ” “ the scary truth is i’m flying blind. ” “ i’m making this up as i go. ” “ you are not missing the first day. ” “ i already said i’d go tomorrow. ” “ he doesn’t listen. ” “ look at him, he’s probably high.” “ he’s definitely high. ” “ each days another wrong turn. ” “ i’ve learned to slam on the brake before i even turn the key. ” “ give them no reason to stare. ”