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#animatedstories #lifeexperiences #personaldrama #emotionalanimation #inspirationaltales #teenstruggles #familyconflicts #relationshipissues #comingofage #highschooldrama #friendshipstories #lifelessons #personalgrowth #selfdiscovery #uniquestories #animatedlife #reallifeevents #motivationalstories #lovestories #betrayaltales #overcomingchallenges #animatedconfessions #familydynamics #socialissues #mentalhealth #identitycrisis #animatednarratives #dramafilledstories #relatablecontent #animatedvlogs #viewersubmissions
MSA, formerly known as "My Story Animated," is a dynamic YouTube channel that brings real-life stories to life through engaging and visually captivating animations. Specializing in personal drama, emotional journeys, and life-changing experiences, MSA transforms viewers' submissions into powerful animated narratives that resonate deeply with its audience. Each video tackles a wide range of topics, including relationship struggles, overcoming adversity, and self-discovery, making it a platform where real-life events are depicted with creativity and authenticity.
The channel's content is crafted to be relatable and inspirational, offering viewers a blend of entertainment and life lessons. Through animated storytelling, MSA explores complex social dynamics, personal growth, and the challenges of everyday life, providing viewers with stories that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.
**Disclaimer:** The stories presented on this channel are based on personal submissions and are animated for entertainment purposes. While the narratives are inspired by real events, the characters and specific details may be fictionalized to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The opinions and experiences expressed in the videos are those of the individuals submitting the stories and do not necessarily reflect the views of MSA. Viewer discretion is advised.
MSA, formerly known as "My Story Animated," is a dynamic YouTube channel that brings real-life stories to life through engaging and visually captivating animations. Specializing in personal drama, emotional journeys, and life-changing experiences, MSA transforms viewers' submissions into powerful animated narratives that resonate deeply with its audience. Each video tackles a wide range of topics, including relationship struggles, overcoming adversity, and self-discovery, making it a platform where real-life events are depicted with creativity and authenticity.
The channel's content is crafted to be relatable and inspirational, offering viewers a blend of entertainment and life lessons. Through animated storytelling, MSA explores complex social dynamics, personal growth, and the challenges of everyday life, providing viewers with stories that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.
**Disclaimer:** The stories presented on this channel are based on personal submissions and are animated for entertainment purposes. While the narratives are inspired by real events, the characters and specific details may be fictionalized to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The opinions and experiences expressed in the videos are those of the individuals submitting the stories and do not necessarily reflect the views of MSA. Viewer discretion is advised.
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:01Good day everyone. My name is Odette and I'm in the 10th grade.
00:06They say you can tell a lot from someone's face.
00:09Mine says please look away.
00:13I'm an only child with only child parents.
00:16Meaning I have no aunts or uncles.
00:19My life is boring.
00:21My parents are calm and reasonable in that polite suburban way.
00:26I always believed even my face looks boring.
00:29You know Odette, it's time to have some purpose in your life.
00:33Well, I'm just waiting for the tragic twist in my life arc.
00:37Because you guys didn't give me a dramatic backstory to work with.
00:41Okay, maybe start with a job?
00:45Yeah, Sharon, lead with that next time. Don't make it sound philosophical.
00:50You just want another income stream.
00:52Whatever, I'm going to my room.
00:54Where did we go wrong with our one and only?
00:57A few days later, I started babysitting.
01:00It was the worst decision of my life.
01:03I got an email from a woman saying she had a disabled daughter and needed someone to start immediately.
01:09She'd already left for work, but there was a note on the fridge with a list of instructions and $300
01:14on the kitchen table.
01:15The daughter was quiet, sweet even.
01:18I gave her food, helped her to the bathroom, and for a few hours, everything was fine.
01:23Then, I started noticing things.
01:26Shadows in the hallway, footsteps behind me.
01:29You know, classic horror movie nonsense.
01:32Long story short, she wasn't disabled.
01:35She was just pretending, for fun.
01:38People are weird.
01:40Yeah, I think my purpose in life can wait.
01:43Maybe my purpose was to find a boy instead.
01:46I saw my classmates getting boyfriends and having cute relationships.
01:50Except me.
01:51I have this friend in particular.
01:53Her name is Lila.
01:55And she genuinely loves boys.
01:58God created Adam and noticed he was bored.
02:00Imagine being in heaven and still feeling bored.
02:03So Eve was made to entertain him.
02:06Can't you see it?
02:07We girls are men's heaven.
02:09All you have to do is just smile and entertain them.
02:12But Odette, you're a frowny, boring little creature.
02:16Smile, so you attract good energy.
02:19And by that, I mean boys.
02:21But I didn't know how to smile to attract boys.
02:24I didn't have it in me.
02:25Whenever I saw a boy, I'd just frown and keep my head down and walk away.
02:30I once tried with the new boy.
02:32He was wearing sunglasses indoors.
02:35I don't know if he thought he was famous or had an eye infection.
02:38Either way, I decided to smile.
02:41Are you sneezing or threatening me with your face?
02:45I stared at him, frozen.
02:47Okay, I'm calling you Snarly.
02:50Like Charlie, but with a snarl.
02:52People laughed.
02:53Even me.
02:54That was Rafe.
02:56He went from being the new student to the popular one instantly.
03:00He had this annoying way of making fun of you and still making you laugh.
03:05From that moment on, he kept showing up in my life.
03:09Unfortunately, so did the name Snarly.
03:13Every girl tried to be his girlfriend.
03:15Especially Lila.
03:17Oh, the heck she tried.
03:20He said he was waiting for someone special to have a relationship with.
03:23What does that even mean?
03:25He's a teenager.
03:26A popular, cool one.
03:29Just hang out with the prettiest girl in the school.
03:31Which is me.
03:32But seriously, what's wrong with him?
03:34Maybe romantic guys do exist.
03:37You're so naive.
03:38Anyway, what did your mom cook today?
03:40I smelled meatloaf.
03:43So, that.
03:45Again?
03:46Hey, beggars can't be choosers.
03:48Hey, you.
03:49First of all, I really don't want to stay with that ugly stepmom of mine.
03:53Second of all, I'm doing you a favor.
03:55It's not like you've found a better friend.
03:57The heck, you only have meat.
03:59So shut up and get me some meatloaf.
04:01Lila didn't exactly have a calm life.
04:04Her dad was a useless, handsome man who somehow got tricked into divorcing her goddess of a mom.
04:10Thanks to a stepmom so ugly she could curdle milk.
04:14Her real mom either ran away or fell into depression.
04:17We don't know.
04:18What we do know is that Lila never saw her again.
04:22Then one day, Rafe was playing in the final, super important basketball game of the year.
04:28Everyone was cheering for him.
04:30Some girls were even crying.
04:32If they lose, I'll spit on their faces.
04:34Except Rafe.
04:35He can spit on mine if it helps him release some of that frustration.
04:39Do you not have even a shred of self-respect?
04:42Everyone glared at me.
04:44Apparently, I was the fun killer.
04:46And an idiot.
04:47Why are you like this?
04:49You don't have to take life so seriously.
04:51Just chill and enjoy the vibe.
04:53Then Rafe scored the final shot and our school won.
04:57The crowd went feral.
05:00People were chanting his name.
05:02They lifted him up on their shoulders like he was a national hero.
05:06But then Rafe asked them to put him down.
05:09His face was weirdly serious.
05:12He turned and looked directly at me.
05:15Then he started walking toward me.
05:17Everyone fell silent.
05:19Even me.
05:20He looked deep into my eyes and said,
05:23Would you go out with me, Odette?
05:25The crowd gasped.
05:27But not the cute, supportive kind.
05:30More like an, is this a prank, gasp.
05:33Haha, Rafe, nice one.
05:35But Rafe didn't laugh.
05:37He just kept looking at me.
05:40With a soft, serious expression.
05:43I wanted to laugh it off.
05:44I really did.
05:45But something about the way he looked at me made my stomach flip.
05:50Some girls laughed nervously and touched his shoulder.
05:53A few boys joined in, filming the whole thing.
05:56One guy grabbed Lila's hand.
05:58Will you be my girlfriend?
05:59Oh no, wait.
06:00What did Rafe say?
06:01Oh yeah.
06:02Would you go out with me, Lila?
06:05Hahaha.
06:05Then out of nowhere, Rafe shoved him, hard.
06:10The laughter died instantly.
06:13Then he just turned back to me, calm as ever.
06:17So...
06:17Just say yes for now.
06:19Let's see where this goes.
06:20Y-yeah.
06:22I'll go out with you, Rafe.
06:23He grinned from ear to ear.
06:26Picked me up on his shoulder and carried me away.
06:30Everyone just stood there.
06:31Blinking, whispering, filming.
06:34Trying to figure out what had just happened.
06:37And from that day on, my life changed forever.
06:41For a while, everything felt perfect.
06:45Rafe and I became that couple.
06:47Walking the halls hand in hand.
06:49Skipping class to sit behind the gym and share terrible vending machine snacks.
06:54My parents were totally against me dating Rafe.
06:57I don't get it.
06:58He's handsome, funny and successful.
07:02Yeah, but something's off.
07:04Like how he just sat in our living room with his feet on the coffee table.
07:08Little things like that say a lot.
07:10Oh, come on, Daddy.
07:12Listen to your old man, daughter.
07:14He's no good news.
07:16For God's sake, last time I checked, you're an accountant living a boring life with dead
07:21parents, no siblings and zero friends.
07:24Since when are you a psychologist, David?
07:27Oh, Dad, come on, honey.
07:29It's his vibe, his aura.
07:31Are you a psychologist?
07:33No.
07:34Do you read psychology books, human behavior?
07:37Facebook posts don't count.
07:39No.
07:40Then please, just let me have this one.
07:43Finally, finally someone notices me.
07:46And he's not just anyone.
07:48He's the most popular boy in the entire school.
07:51Maybe the whole city.
07:53That's what makes it even more fishy.
07:55Why would he choose you?
07:57Honey, that's not how we agreed to phrase.
08:00Aha!
08:00So it is because he chose me, not his aura or his feet on the coffee table.
08:06Why am I not even surprised?
08:08Can we please, please never talk about this again?
08:14Lila was the happiest for me.
08:16Look, I know most besties would be super jealous if their average boring looking friend got the hottest guy in
08:22school.
08:23Especially when that bestie is as pretty and fun as me.
08:26But trust me, I'm proud of you.
08:29Thanks.
08:30But why are you spraying that pink stuff on your feet?
08:34Oh, I've got a date with this rich guy.
08:35He's a couple years older than us.
08:37Well, maybe a couple years on top of those couple years.
08:41He's five years older, okay?
08:43But love doesn't care about age.
08:45I just want everything to be perfect, including my feet.
08:48So you're gonna tell him, nice to feet you?
08:51Ha ha.
08:52You're actually so stupid sometimes.
08:54I love it.
08:56So, how's everything with Rave?
08:58It's fine, I guess.
09:00But there's this nagging feeling.
09:02Like something's off.
09:04I don't know.
09:05I know that feeling.
09:07It's called insecurity.
09:08Just live in the moment, babe.
09:09Stop overthinking.
09:11Oh, and I just had meatloaf.
09:13But brace yourself.
09:14It was actually good today.
09:15Like, edible.
09:16Anyway, I gotta go.
09:18Love ya!
09:18Mwah!
09:19Maybe Lila was right.
09:20Maybe it was all in my head.
09:22Maybe I just needed to loosen up.
09:25Until...
09:26Things took a different turn.
09:28I started spending more and more time with Rave.
09:31He was sweet and generous.
09:33But he never invited me to his house.
09:36I kept asking.
09:37Then I started nagging.
09:40Finally, he agreed to take me there.
09:42I was surprised by how old and worn down the house looked.
09:47The front porch creaked under her feet.
09:50Just as Rave opened the door, a glass flew past us and shattered onto the street.
09:55Rave yanked me back.
09:56Where did you put the money, you useless witch?
09:59I bought food with it.
10:00Wait, you want me to leave money here so you can waste it on more cigarettes, you junkie?
10:04Well, welcome to my house.
10:07We stepped inside.
10:09The place was a mess.
10:11Dark, musty, with dishes piled up and clothes tossed over furniture.
10:17His mom looked pale and worn out.
10:20His dad looked like he hadn't showered in weeks.
10:23Mom, dad, this is Odette, my girlfriend.
10:27Oh, so now it's mom, dad, and not dad mom.
10:31Why is she first, huh?
10:32You stinking little disappointment.
10:34You can't tell me how to speak.
10:36I said what I said.
10:37What are you going to do?
10:38Hit me?
10:39Burn me?
10:40Go ahead.
10:41What do you even want from us?
10:42Why are you still alive?
10:44Oh, trying to show off in front of your girlfriend like you're the man of the house?
10:49Joke's on you, she's not even pretty.
10:51Don't listen to him, sweetheart.
10:52Don't talk about her like that.
10:54Fine, let's talk about you then.
10:57Hey, bimbo, this kid you're dating still wets the bed.
11:00His mom dragged him to every doctor in town, but some people are just born failures.
11:04How dare you?
11:06She grabbed a rolled up newspaper and smacked him across the head.
11:10I stood there, frozen.
11:12Rafe took my hand without saying a word, and we walked out.
11:16Well, I guess I'll never complain about the boring life my parents gave me again.
11:21Haha, yeah, I get it.
11:23Now you know why I never wanted you to meet them.
11:25I'm sorry you had to see all that.
11:27Don't be, Rafe.
11:28I'm your girlfriend.
11:30I'll accept you no matter what.
11:32Cool, I like acceptance.
11:33So, not leveling up yet?
11:35You know, like, love?
11:37Because, Odette, I love you.
11:40Finally!
11:41What took you so long?
11:44It's been, like, a few weeks.
11:47But, yeah, I mean, you're amazing.
11:48I'm lucky to have you.
11:50And when I become this huge, successful basketball player, I'll give you the best life.
11:55He was ambitious.
11:57He had dreams.
11:58And I liked that about him.
12:00Then, he leaned in to kiss me.
12:03And my stomach flipped.
12:04But just then, my phone rang.
12:07Ugh.
12:08It's my mom.
12:09Don't answer, Snarly.
12:10Let me kiss you and take you to your favorite diner.
12:13Rafe and I were only getting closer.
12:16Which I didn't want my parents to know about, so I kept lying more and more to them.
12:21My grades slipped, but I told myself it was fine.
12:25I'd catch up later.
12:26I just needed time.
12:28Time to be with Rafe.
12:29To support him.
12:30To listen to his rants.
12:32To calm him down when he got angry for no reason and swore he wasn't actually mad.
12:36We had a routine.
12:38After school, I'd meet him behind the gas station near the edge of town.
12:41We'd sit on the curb, share a soda, and talk about how fake everyone else was.
12:46He said I was the only real person he knew.
12:49He started asking for little favors.
12:52Borrowing my phone.
12:54Asking me to cover for him when he missed something.
12:56Lying to his mom.
12:58I did it all.
12:59That's what you do when someone loves you, right?
13:01Sometimes, he disappeared for a day or two.
13:04And when he came back, he acted like nothing happened.
13:08And so would I.
13:10I stopped hanging out with Lila as much.
13:12You've been ditching me like you're in a full-time relationship with a ghost.
13:15He's just going through stuff.
13:17Right.
13:18And you're the emotional support animal.
13:20You're the one who told me to follow my heart and live in the moment.
13:23Yeah, the moment.
13:24Not the weeks.
13:26Not the months.
13:27Odette, your parents call me all the time asking where you are.
13:30I lie and say you're with me.
13:31Or studying in the library.
13:33It sucks.
13:34I hate lying to them.
13:35Then don't.
13:36If covering for me is such a burden, maybe you weren't a good friend to begin with.
13:41Whoa.
13:42Since when do you talk to me like that?
13:45Oh, wait.
13:46Since you started hanging out with Rafe.
13:48Open your eyes, Odette.
13:49Don't lose yourself.
13:51Oh, please.
13:52Says the girl dating some guy five years older than her just because he's rich?
13:56You want to talk about self-respect?
13:59You know what?
13:59I'm done with this conversation.
14:01I'm leaving.
14:02No.
14:02Wait.
14:03Stay.
14:04You love my parents.
14:05They love you.
14:06You feel sorry for them, right?
14:08You can play the perfect daughter they wish they had.
14:10I'm leaving.
14:11We have SATs coming up, Odette.
14:14Don't you care?
14:15You're ruining everything for yourself over that dumb jerk.
14:18Surprisingly, Lila got a good score on the SATs.
14:22I got an acceptable grade, but not good enough to get into nursing school like I'd always planned.
14:28Rafe didn't even take the test.
14:30He overslept that day.
14:32I can't believe Lila scored higher than me.
14:35I mean, yeah, she's not dumb, but I've always been the one with the better grades.
14:41Now I can't even apply to nursing school.
14:43I should have studied more.
14:45I told you we didn't need to go to the movies every single night, Rafe.
14:49Oh, so now it's my fault, Snarley?
14:51Babe, what's done is done, okay?
14:53Don't beat yourself up.
14:54Come on.
14:55I'll get you some pancakes.
14:56That always cheers you up.
14:57Rafe?
14:58Where do you even get all this money from?
15:01I mean, yeah, I lend you some sometimes, but it's not enough to cover everything we do.
15:07Wow.
15:08So you think I can't survive without your little charity coins?
15:12First of all, they're not little coins.
15:16Oh, come on.
15:17I'm joking.
15:18You know I don't mind helping.
15:20I was just asking.
15:22No, you weren't.
15:23You were judging me, belittling me.
15:25Why do you care where the money comes from?
15:27I take care of you, don't I?
15:29I feed you, I spoil you.
15:31Isn't that enough?
15:32I'm sorry, babe.
15:33You're right.
15:34I didn't mean it like that.
15:35I'm sorry, okay?
15:37Tell me what I can do to make it up to you.
15:39You can come with me on a country tour.
15:41I got this RV from my uncle.
15:43We'll travel, see the world, hit every state.
15:46Just you and me.
15:47But what about college?
15:49And my parents?
15:50What about them?
15:52I'm sure your parents don't mind you having fun and taking a break from all the stress.
15:57And in college?
15:57You said yourself.
15:59You're not doing nursing anymore.
16:01Take an online course, finance or something.
16:03That's a good career too, babe.
16:05I told my parents I needed time to think about my future.
16:09They begged me to stay, but I'd already made up my mind.
16:12Two weeks later, I was packing my bags and climbing into the RV, ready for my freedom.
16:19At least, that's what I thought it was.
16:21It was amazing.
16:24They went to places I'd only seen on TV.
16:27Nevada desert, Hollywood, coastal cities with overpriced ice cream, and strangers who
16:32looked at us like we didn't match.
16:34People stared, sometimes whispered.
16:37Like they couldn't believe a guy like Rafe would be with someone like me.
16:41Once, a pretty girl asked for his number.
16:44He smiled and shook his head.
16:46Already got the best girl in the world.
16:48She scoffed and walked off.
16:51He never saw me watching.
16:53But for the rest of the day, I couldn't stop smiling.
16:56I once posted a picture of us eating instant noodles on the RV steps.
17:01The caption said,
17:02Love in the little things.
17:04It got a lot of likes.
17:06My parents still called.
17:08Sometimes I answered.
17:09And sometimes they were just yelling, begging me to come back.
17:14Eventually, I stopped picking up.
17:16Once, in Wyoming, there wasn't much to do.
17:20I went to sleep early.
17:22When I woke up, Rafe wasn't next to me.
17:25I called him, many times.
17:27And it went straight to voicemail.
17:29Evening came, and still nothing.
17:31I decided to look around for him.
17:34Just as I stepped out of the RV, a police officer, a woman, was walking up, about to knock.
17:40Miss Odette, you're under arrest.
17:41Anything you say or do can be used against you in court.
17:44What the actual heck?
17:45She flipped me around and cuffed me.
17:48I tried to resist.
17:50Tried to ask what was happening.
17:51She didn't answer.
17:52She just shoved me in the car.
17:57The RV is stolen.
17:58I mean, what else do you think we deal with out here?
18:01The Wall Street crash?
18:02What?
18:03It's not even mine.
18:04No kidding.
18:05That's exactly the problem.
18:07The guy who actually owns it just reported it's stolen.
18:10And he says you were the one driving it around.
18:12Can I make a phone call?
18:14I'm allowed one, right?
18:16Ugh, these movies.
18:17Everyone thinks they get one call.
18:19Fine, go ahead.
18:20Call the president if you want.
18:22I called my parents.
18:23And I prayed they'd come to help me out.
18:26What do you mean, arrested?
18:27Odette, where are you?
18:29Wyoming.
18:30Is that in Japan?
18:31No, honey.
18:32Give me the phone.
18:33Sweetie, that's like seven hours away from here.
18:36Yeah?
18:37And I'm your only daughter.
18:39We're coming, honey.
18:40Just stay strong.
18:42Just then, Rafe showed up.
18:44Where the heck were you?
18:46I ran to him, hitting his chest with both fists.
18:50The officer stepped in and pulled me back into the cell.
18:54You don't have to lock her up.
18:55I talked to my uncle.
18:57He's coming to sort this out.
18:59That jerk filed a report because I'm behind on paying him back.
19:02Where were you, Rafe?
19:04You've disappeared before.
19:05But this time, I was alone in a strange place, scared.
19:10And your uncle reported you?
19:12Nothing about this adds up.
19:14I'm sorry, but I called my parents.
19:17I think...
19:18I think I'm gonna stay with them for a while.
19:21No, babe.
19:22Please, don't say that.
19:23Don't give up on me.
19:25You're all I have.
19:26Please.
19:27I can't be without you.
19:29Don't make me beg.
19:30You already are begging.
19:32Is that part of your dream, too?
19:34The one where you become a famous basketball player and give me the perfect life?
19:38Yeah.
19:39How's that going so far?
19:41Funny thing.
19:42I once had someone beg like that.
19:44I didn't give him a chance.
19:46Thought I was being smart.
19:47And then, I lost him.
19:49Not saying what you should do, but some things haunt you.
19:52I hated how much that got to me.
19:55The thought of losing him.
19:57Of him disappearing forever.
19:59Made my stomach twist.
20:01I wasn't strong enough yet.
20:03Fine.
20:04I'll call my parents.
20:06Then let's go, babe.
20:07Before they get here.
20:08As we walked out, the officer leaned in and whispered in my ear.
20:12How'd you land someone that hot?
20:15Good for you, girl.
20:16You know what might even make him hotter?
20:18Liking this video and subscribing to MSA like everyone else?
20:22I called my parents.
20:23But they had already booked their flight and were heading to the airport.
20:27When they landed and kept calling, I let it ring.
20:30Then, I let it ring again.
20:32And then, I stopped checking.
20:34Two months went by and the fun life I had been living started to feel dull.
20:41My parents barely called anymore.
20:43I opened Instagram and saw that Lila had gotten into the nursing school I always wanted.
20:48She even posted a picture of her engagement to that rich, successful guy.
20:52Funny how I used to be the one with the bright future, while she came from a messy home and
20:58had this weird obsession with impressing men.
21:01That night, someone knocked on our door.
21:04Rafe started acting weird, like he didn't want me to see who it was.
21:08But I pushed past him and opened the door and saw a bunch of dangerous looking guys with tattoos on
21:14their faces.
21:14Why am I not even surprised at this point?
21:17Babe, it's not what it looks like. I just borrowed some money and they're being dramatic.
21:21You're saying it like we just met you yesterday.
21:24You've been working for us for years.
21:27Now, are you paying up? Or can I take a closer look at your pretty little girlfriend?
21:34Don't touch her!
21:35I mean, babe, he thinks you're pretty and not boring.
21:38Don't touch her, you idiot!
21:40How much do you owe them?
21:42Just $25,000.
21:44Add a zero to that.
21:47$250,000 US dollars?
21:50And just like that, my stomach flipped.
21:53I gagged and nearly threw up on the mafia guy's boots.
21:57Whoa! She's so shocked she's about to hurl.
22:01I'm pregnant, you idiot!
22:03Rafe looked shocked, but also happy.
22:07His eyes lit up.
22:09Then he turned to the mafia guy and said,
22:11So, no baby discount?
22:13Are you seriously negotiating right now?
22:15I started hitting him and one of the mafia guys actually pulled me away.
22:20Relax, miss.
22:22It's not good for the baby.
22:25For the next few days, Rafe was acting super nice.
22:29It was almost humiliating how hard he tried to please me.
22:32Cutting my toenails, kissing my feet.
22:35And deep down, I felt sorry for him.
22:38With that dysfunctional family and the belittling jerk daddy had,
22:42I was sure it all made him the way he is.
22:45But I also believed I had lost so many years with him.
22:50I knew what was happening was wrong.
22:53It was just too hard to let go.
22:56That night, I left while Rafe was asleep.
22:59I had contacted Lila on Instagram sometime earlier,
23:02and we'd agreed to meet up.
23:04When I saw her, she didn't even look happy to see me.
23:07She was cold and dry.
23:10What? You want money now that you know I'm engaged to that rich guy?
23:14Whoa!
23:15You've changed a lot in the past two years.
23:17What the heck, Lila?
23:19Okay, fine.
23:20That was too much, I know.
23:22But still, why did you want to meet up?
23:24Considering your poor life choices.
23:26I know you've had problems ever since that thing happened when we were kids,
23:31and you can't carry a baby.
23:33So, I'm offering you something.
23:36Please don't take it as charity.
23:38I'm pregnant.
23:39And I thought, maybe you'd want to adopt the baby.
23:43Lila looked shocked.
23:45Then, her eyes lit up.
23:47She smiled wide and hugged me.
23:50Oh my god.
23:51My man doesn't even know I can't have kids.
23:53I've been too afraid to tell him.
23:55He'd probably leave me.
23:57But this?
23:58This is perfect.
23:59I'll just fake being pregnant.
24:01And when you give birth, I'll take the baby as mine.
24:04Wait, you don't mean legally?
24:06You don't want the papers to show I'm the biological mom?
24:10Who cares?
24:11You always said your life was boring.
24:14Abandoning a baby just fits you.
24:16I know this might feel hard.
24:17Because, well, having a baby might be your only achievement in life.
24:20But, babe, if cats can do it, it's not that deep.
24:23Let me get this straight.
24:25You think this is about achievement?
24:28Do you even know how hard it is to give up a baby that came from your own body?
24:32Not so hard for you, apparently.
24:34I mean, you're handing the baby away the second you found out you had one.
24:38What kind of mother does that?
24:40And BAM!
24:41I slapped her!
24:42She slapped me back!
24:44This'll slap you back to reality!
24:46You were my safest place, idiot!
24:48Look at you now!
24:49Take this!
24:50Do you hear yourself?
24:51Wake up, you stupid witch!
24:52Take this!
24:53And this!
24:54And this!
24:55So, what are you gonna do?
24:57If you can't adopt my baby, then maybe adopt me?
25:02Odette, nothing is forcing you to stay with him.
25:04But he loves me.
25:07And let's be honest, Lila.
25:09Girls like me don't exactly get love stories.
25:12That's a lie Rafe told you to believe.
25:15You're lovable.
25:16You just forgot.
25:16And sometimes love destroys people, Odette.
25:20Especially when it's too much.
25:21When it blinds you.
25:23But he's a victim, Lila.
25:24He grew up with an abusive dad and a wrecked home.
25:28That messed him up.
25:29Maybe so.
25:30But your support has to stop when it starts destroying you.
25:33Don't turn yourself into the victim of your own choices.
25:36I don't even know why I gave him another chance.
25:39Maybe I didn't have the strength to leave.
25:41Or maybe I was afraid of being pregnant and alone.
25:44Maybe I believed him when the tears came and he promised he'd change.
25:49In the next months, Rafe came home bruised, limping, once even from jail.
25:54Other times he just didn't come at all.
25:57I spent nights alone at the hospital while he lost track of time.
26:02And when he did show up, it was with apologies and bruised knuckles, not flowers.
26:08Then one evening, I came home from a long hospital checkup to find him sitting outside the RV, staring into
26:16nothing.
26:16I have to sell it, the RV.
26:18I owe them and they want their money.
26:20Wait, what?
26:21No, don't sell it.
26:23I think...
26:24I think I can help.
26:26He looked at me like I was a ghost, then grinned.
26:29You're gonna borrow money from your parents?
26:31Borrow.
26:33Hahaha.
26:34As if we'd ever pay them back.
26:36I didn't answer.
26:38What, are you gonna rob a bank or maybe call a friend that hates me?
26:41Just wait for tonight.
26:42You'll know.
26:43I love you, Snarly.
26:45What would I do without you?
26:46That night, I messaged Lila.
26:48Asked her to meet me halfway.
26:50I told her I needed to go home.
26:53And she came and didn't ask me any questions.
26:57The drive was mostly silent.
26:59I watched the highway lights.
27:01She hummed softly.
27:03When we reached my parents' house, I braced for anger and shame.
27:08Instead, Mom opened the door, saw my swollen face and belly, and pulled me into an embrace
27:15so tight, it cracked everything I'd been holding in.
27:19Oh, sweetie.
27:21Welcome home.
27:22We missed you so much.
27:24I thought being loved meant being useful.
27:28I mean, why else would a handsome guy love someone like me?
27:33Dad draped my old blanket, the one I'd sworn I didn't need, over my shoulders.
27:38The next morning, I enrolled in online classes.
27:42Nothing grand.
27:43Just something manageable with a baby coming.
27:46And a life to rebuild.
27:48Weeks passed.
27:49I got bigger.
27:51Slower.
27:52Tired.
27:53And then, the baby came.
27:55It was a long night.
27:58Too long.
27:59I was sweaty, shaking, crying, maybe screaming.
28:03I don't remember half of it.
28:05But when the nurse placed him in my arms, everything went quiet.
28:10He was so tiny.
28:11Red, wrinkly, angry at the world already.
28:15His eyes didn't even open yet.
28:17But mine did.
28:18I looked at him.
28:20And I swore, I'm going to give you the life I never had.
28:25The love I spent years begging for.
28:27You won't have to earn it.
28:29You'll just have it.
28:31I found out sometime later that Rafe had been arrested for attempting some robbery.
28:37I guess he'd gotten desperate to pay off his debts.
28:40I almost felt relieved.
28:42He was better off in jail than being killed by some criminal on the streets.
28:46And he was no longer my problem.
28:49Because some people just can't be helped.
28:53But my mom was by my side, holding my hand.
28:56And my dad brought me soup.
28:58And Lila sent a message that just said,
29:01I'm proud of you, idiot.
29:02And for the first time in years, I didn't feel like running.
29:07I was exactly where I was meant to be.
29:10Sometimes, the bravest kind of love is the one you give yourself.
29:15And by of time, how would you kill yourself.
29:20That you want to know how to vandaag things will happen.
29:23Thank you very often, making sure you can spend the money somewhere.
29:26You