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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
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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. Mine says, please look away.
00:12I'm an only child with only child parents, meaning I have no aunts or uncles.
00:19My life is boring. My 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, because you guys didn't give me a dramatic
00:39backstory to work with.
00:41Okay, maybe start with a job?
00:45Yeah, Sharon, lead with that next time. Don't make it sound philosophical. You 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. It 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. I gave her food, helped her to the bathroom, and for a few hours,
01:22everything was fine.
01:23Then, I started noticing things. Shadows in the hallway, footsteps behind me, you know, classic horror movie nonsense.
01:32Long story short, she wasn't disabled. She was just pretending for fun.
01:37People are weird. Yeah, I think my purpose in life can wait. Maybe my purpose was to find a boy
01:45instead.
01:46I saw my classmates getting boyfriends and having cute relationships. Except me.
01:51I have this friend in particular. Her name is Lila, and she genuinely loves boys.
01:57God created Adam and noticed he was bored. Imagine being in heaven and still feeling bored. So Eve was made
02:04to entertain him.
02:05Can't you see it? We girls are men's heaven. All you have to do is just smile and entertain them.
02:13But Odette, you're a frowny, boring little creature. Smile, so you attract good energy. And by that, I mean boys.
02:20But I didn't know how to smile to attract boys. I didn't have it in me. Whenever I saw a
02:26boy, I'd just frown and keep my head down and walk away.
02:30I once tried with the new boy. He was wearing sunglasses indoors. I don't know if he thought he was
02:36famous or had an eye infection. Either 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. Like Charlie, but with a snarl.
02:52People laughed. Even me. That was Rafe. He 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. From that moment on, he
03:07kept showing up in my life.
03:09Unfortunately, so did the name Snarly. Every girl tried to be his girlfriend, especially Lila.
03:17Oh, the heck she tried.
03:19He said he was waiting for someone special to have a relationship with. What does that even mean? He's a
03:25teenager. A popular, cool one. Just hang out with the prettiest girl in the school. Which is me. But seriously,
03:33what's wrong with him?
03:34Maybe romantic guys do exist.
03:36Ugh, you're so naive. Anyway, what did your mom cook today?
03:40I smelled... meatloaf? So, that.
03:45Again?
03:45Hey, beggars can't be choosers.
03:48Hey, you. First 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. It's not like you found a better friend.
03:57The heck, you only have me. So shut up and get me some meatloaf.
04:01Lila didn't exactly have a calm life. Her dad was a useless, handsome man who somehow got tricked into divorcing
04:09her goddess of a mom thanks to a stepmom so ugly she could curdle milk.
04:14Her real mom either ran away or fell into depression. We don't know. What we do know is that Lila
04:20never saw her again.
04:21Then one day, Rafe was playing in the final, super important basketball game of the year. Everyone was cheering for
04:29him. Some girls were even crying.
04:32If they lose, I'll spit on their faces. Except Rafe. He can spit on mine if it helps him release
04:37some of that frustration.
04:39Do you not have even a shred of self-respect? Everyone glared at me. Apparently, I was the fun killer.
04:46And an idiot.
04:47Why are you like this? You don't have to take life so seriously. Just chill and enjoy the vibe.
04:53Then Rafe scored the final shot and our school won. The crowd went feral. People were chanting his name. They
05:02lifted him up on their shoulders like he was a national hero.
05:05But then Rafe asked them to put him down. His face was weirdly serious. He turned and looked directly at
05:14me.
05:14Then he started walking toward me. Everyone fell silent. Even me. He looked deep into my eyes and said,
05:23Would you go out with me, Odette?
05:25The crowd gasped. But not the cute, supportive kind. More like an, is-this-a-prank gasp.
05:34Rafe, nice one.
05:35But Rafe didn't laugh. He just kept looking at me with this soft, serious expression. I wanted to laugh it
05:44off. I really did.
05:45But something about the way he looked at me made my stomach flip. Some girls laughed nervously and touched his
05:52shoulder.
05:52A few boys joined in, filming the whole thing. One guy grabbed Lila's hand.
05:58Will you be my girlfriend? Oh no, wait. What did Rafe say? Oh yeah. Would you go out with me,
06:04Lila?
06:06Then out of nowhere, Rafe shoved him hard. The laughter died instantly. Then he just turned back to me, calm
06:15as ever.
06:16So?
06:17Just say yes for now. Let's see where this goes.
06:21Yeah, I'll go out with you, Rafe.
06:23He grinned from ear to ear, picked me up on his shoulder and carried me away.
06:30Everyone just stood there, blinking, whispering, filming, trying to figure out what had just happened.
06:36And from that day on, my life changed forever. For a while, everything felt perfect. Rafe and I became that
06:46couple, walking the halls hand in hand, skipping class to sit behind the gym and share terrible vending machine snacks.
06:54My parents were totally against me dating Rafe. I don't get it. He's handsome, funny and successful.
07:02Yeah, but something's off. Like 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. He's no good news.
07:16For God's sake. Last time I checked, you're an accountant living a boring life with dead parents, no siblings, and
07:23zero friends. Since when are you a psychologist, David?
07:27Oh, Dad, come on, honey. It's his vibe, his aura.
07:31Are you a psychologist?
07:33No.
07:34Do you read psychology books? Human behavior? Facebook posts don't count. No.
07:40Then please, just let me have this one. Finally, finally someone notices me. And he's not just anyone. He's the
07:48most popular boy in the entire school. Maybe the whole city.
07:52That's what makes it even more fishy. Why would he choose you?
07:57Honey, that's not how we agreed to phrase. Aha! So it is because he chose me, not his aura or
08:04his feet on the coffee table. Why am I not even surprised? Can we please, please never talk about this
08:11again?
08:13Lila 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. Especially when that bestie is as pretty and fun as me. But trust me, I'm proud of you.
08:29Thanks. But why are you spraying that pink stuff on your feet?
08:33Oh, I've got a date with this rich guy. He's a couple years older than us. Well, maybe a couple
08:38years on top of those couple years. He's five years older, okay?
08:43But love doesn't care about age. I just want everything to be perfect, including my feet.
08:48So you're gonna tell him, nice to feet you?
08:51Ha ha. You're actually so stupid sometimes. I love it.
08:56So, how's everything with Rave?
08:58It's fine, I guess. But there's this nagging feeling. Like something's off. I don't know.
09:05I know that feeling. It's called insecurity. Just live in the moment, babe. Stop overthinking.
09:11Oh, and I just had meal-oaf. But brace yourself. It was actually good today. Like, edible.
09:16Anyway, I gotta go. Love ya.
09:19Maybe Lila was right. Maybe it was all in my head. Maybe I just needed to loosen up.
09:25Until things took a different turn. I started spending more and more time with Rave.
09:31He was sweet and generous, but he never invited me to his house.
09:36I kept asking. Then I started nagging. Finally, he agreed to take me there.
09:42I was surprised by how old and worn down the house looked. The front porch creaked under her feet.
09:49Just as Rave opened the door, a glass flew past us and shattered onto the street. Rave yanked me back.
09:56Where did you put the money, you useless witch?
09:59I bought food with it. Wait, you want me to leave money here so you can waste it on more
10:03cigarettes, you junkie?
10:04Well, welcome to my house.
10:07We stepped inside. The place was a mess. Dark, musty, with dishes piled up and clothes tossed over furniture.
10:17His mom looked pale and worn out. His 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. Why is she first, huh? You stinking little disappointment.
10:34You can't tell me how to speak. I said what I said. What are you going to do? Hit me?
10:39Burn me? Go ahead.
10:40What do you even want from us? Why are you still alive?
10:44Oh, trying to show off in front of your girlfriend? Like you're the man of the house? Joke's on you.
10:50She's not even pretty.
10:51Don't listen to him, sweetheart. Don't talk about her like that.
10:54Fine. Let's talk about you then. Hey, bimbo, this kid you're dating still wets the bed. His mom dragged him
11:01to every doctor in town, but some people are just born failures.
11:05How dare you?
11:06She grabbed a rolled up newspaper and smacked him across the head. I stood there, frozen. Rafe took my hand
11:13without saying a word, and we walked out.
11:15Well, I guess I'll never complain about the boring life my parents gave me again.
11:21Yeah, I get it. Now you know why I never wanted you to meet them. I'm sorry you had to
11:26see all that.
11:27Don't be, Rafe. I'm your girlfriend. I'll accept you no matter what.
11:32Cool. I like acceptance. So, not leveling up yet? You know, like, love? Because, Odette, I love you.
11:40Finally! What took you so long?
11:44It's been, like, a few weeks, but, yeah, I mean, you're amazing. I'm lucky to have you. And when I
11:50become this huge, successful basketball player, I'll give you the best life.
11:55He was ambitious. He had dreams, and I liked that about him. Then, he leaned in to kiss me, and
12:03my stomach flipped. But just then, my phone rang. Ugh, it's my mom.
12:08Don't answer, Snarly. Let me kiss you, and take you to your favorite diner.
12:13Rafe and I were only getting closer, which I didn't want my parents to know about, so I kept lying
12:20more and more to them.
12:21My grades slipped, but I told myself it was fine. I'd catch up later. I just needed time. Time to
12:28be with Rafe. To support him. To listen to his rants. To calm him down when he got angry for
12:34no reason, and swore he wasn't actually mad.
12:36We had a routine. After school, I'd meet him behind the gas station near the edge of town. We'd sit
12:42on the curb, share a soda, and talk about how fake everyone else was.
12:46He said I was the only real person he knew. He started asking for little favors. Borrowing my phone. Asking
12:54me to cover for him when he missed something. Lying to his mom.
12:57I did it all. That's what you do when someone loves you, right? Sometimes he disappeared for a day or
13:04two. And when he came back, he acted like nothing happened. And so would I.
13:09I stopped hanging out with Lila as much. You've been ditching me like you're in a full-time relationship with
13:15a ghost. He's just going through stuff.
13:17Right. And you're the emotional support animal. You're the one who told me to follow my heart and live in
13:22the moment.
13:23Yeah, the moment. Not the weeks. Not the months. Odette, your parents call me all the time asking where you
13:29are. I lie and say you're with me. Or studying in the library. It sucks. I hate lying to them.
13:35Then don't. If covering for me is such a burden, maybe you weren't a good friend to begin with.
13:41Whoa. Since when do you talk to me like that? Oh, wait. Since you started hanging out with Rafe. Open
13:48your eyes, Odette. Don't lose yourself.
13:51Oh, please. Says the girl dating some guy five years older than her just because he's rich? You want to
13:57talk about self-respect?
13:59You know what? I'm done with this conversation. I'm leaving.
14:02No, wait. Stay. You love my parents. They love you. You feel sorry for them, right?
14:07You can play the perfect daughter they wish they had. I'm leaving.
14:11We have SATs coming up, Odette. Don't you care? You're ruining everything for yourself over that dumb jerk.
14:18Surprisingly, Lila got a good score on the SATs. I got an acceptable grade, but not good enough to get
14:25into nursing school like I'd always planned.
14:28Rafe didn't even take the test. He overslept that day. I can't believe Lila scored higher than me. I mean,
14:36yeah, 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. I should have studied more. I told you we didn't need to
14:46go to the movies every single night, Rafe.
14:48Oh, so now it's my fault, Snarly? Babe, what's done is done, okay? Don't beat yourself up. Come on. I'll
14:55get you some pancakes. That always cheers you up.
14:57Rafe, where do you even get all this money from? I mean, yeah, I lend you some sometimes, but it's
15:05not enough to cover everything we do.
15:07Wow. So you think I can't survive without your little charity coins?
15:11First of all, they're not little coins. Oh, come on. I'm joking. You know I don't mind helping. I was
15:20just asking.
15:22No, you weren't. You were judging me, belittling me. Why do you care where the money comes from? I take
15:28care of you, don't I? I feed you. I spoil you. Isn't that enough?
15:32I'm sorry, babe. You're right. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry, okay? Tell me what I can do
15:38to make it up to you.
15:39You can come with me on a country tour. I got this RV from my uncle. We'll travel, see the
15:44world, hit every state. Just you and me.
15:47But what about college and my parents?
15:51What about them? I'm sure your parents don't mind you having fun and taking a break from all the stress.
15:56And in college, you said yourself, you're not doing nursing anymore. Take an online course, finance or something. That's a
16:04good career too, babe.
16:05I told my parents I needed time to think about my future. They begged me to stay, but I'd already
16:11made up my mind.
16:12Two weeks later, I was packing my bags and climbing into the RV, ready for my freedom.
16:18At least, that's what I thought it was. It was amazing. They went to places I'd only seen on TV.
16:27Nevada desert, Hollywood, coastal cities with overpriced ice cream, and strangers who looked at us like we didn't match.
16:34People stared, sometimes whispered, like they couldn't believe a guy like Rafe would be with someone like me.
16:41Once, a pretty girl asked for his number. He smiled and shook his head.
16:46Already got the best girl in the world.
16:48She scoffed and walked off. He never saw me watching. But for the rest of the day, I couldn't stop
16:55smiling.
16:56I once posted a picture of us eating instant noodles on the RV steps. The caption said,
17:02Love in the little things. It got a lot of likes.
17:06My parents still called. Sometimes I answered. And sometimes they were just yelling, begging me to come back.
17:13Eventually, I stopped picking up. Once, in Wyoming, there wasn't much to do. I went to sleep early.
17:22When I woke up, Rafe wasn't next to me. I called him many times, and it went straight to voicemail.
17:29Evening came, and still nothing. I 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.
17:39Miss Odette, you're under arrest. Anything you say or do can be used against you in court.
17:44What the actual heck? She flipped me around and cuffed me.
17:48I tried to resist. Tried to ask what was happening. She didn't answer. Just shoved me in the car.
17:57The RV is stolen. I mean, what else do you think we deal with out here? The Wall Street crash?
18:02What? It's not even mine.
18:04No kidding. That's exactly the problem. The guy who actually owns it just reported it's stolen, and he says you
18:11were the one driving it around.
18:13Can I make a phone call? I'm allowed one, right?
18:15Ugh, these movies. Everyone thinks they get one call.
18:19Fine, go ahead. Call the president if you want.
18:22I called my parents, and 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. Give me the phone. Sweetie, that's like seven hours away from here.
18:36Yeah, and I'm your only daughter.
18:39We're coming, honey. Just 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.
18:53You don't have to lock her up.
18:55I talked to my uncle. He's coming to sort this out.
18:58That jerk filed a report because I'm behind on paying him back.
19:02Where were you, Rafe?
19:04You've disappeared before, but 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... I think I'm going to stay with them for a while.
19:21No, babe.
19:21Please, don't say that. Don't give up on me. You're all I have.
19:26Please. I can't be without you. Don't make me beg.
19:30You already are begging. Is that part of your dream, too?
19:34The one where you become a famous basketball player and give me the perfect life?
19:38Yeah. How's that going so far?
19:41Funny thing. I 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. Not 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, of him disappearing forever, made my stomach twist.
20:01I wasn't strong enough yet.
20:03Fine. I'll call my parents.
20:06Then let's go, babe. Before 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? Good 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, but 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'd been living started to feel... dull.
20:40My parents barely called anymore.
20:42I 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.
20:53Funny how I used to be the one with the bright future.
20:56While she came from a messy home and had 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.
21:10And saw a bunch of dangerous looking guys with tattoos on their faces.
21:14Why am I not even surprised at this point?
21:17Babe, it's not what it looks like.
21:19I 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?
21:29Or 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?
21:49U.S. dollars?
21:50And just like that, my stomach flipped.
21:53I gagged and nearly threw up on the mafia guy's boots.
21:57Whoa!
21:58She's so shocked she's about to hurl.
22:01I'm pregnant, you idiot!
22:02Rafe looked shocked, but also happy.
22:07His eyes lit up.
22:08Then 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.
22:24For 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 and we'd agreed to meet up.
23:04When I saw her, she didn't even look happy to see me.
23:08She was cold and dry.
23:10What?
23:11You 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.
23:21But still, why did you want to meet up?
23:23Considering 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.
23:35Please 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.
24:03Wait.
24:04You 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, and this, and this.
24:55So, what are you going to 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.
25:17And sometimes love destroys people, Odette.
25:19Especially when it's too much.
25:21When it blinds you.
25:22But he's a victim, Lila.
25:24He grew up with an abusive dad and a wrecked home.
25:27That 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.
25:38Maybe 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.
25:48In the next months, Rafe came home bruised, limping.
25:53Once 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.
26:07Not 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.
26:17The 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.
26:25He looked at me like I was a ghost.
26:28Then grinned.
26:29You're gonna borrow money from your parents?
26:31Borrow.
26:34As if we'd ever pay them back.
26:36I didn't answer.
26:37What, 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, Snarley.
26:44What 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.
26:54And didn't ask me any questions.
26:56The 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.
27:27I mean, why else would a handsome guy love someone like me?
27:32Dad 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.
27:52And then, the baby came.
27:55It was a long night.
27:57Too 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.
28:09He was so tiny.
28:11Red.
28:12Wrinkly.
28:13Angry at the world already.
28:15His eyes didn't even open yet.
28:17But mine did.
28:18I looked at him, and I swore, I'm going to give you the life I never had.
28:24The 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.
28:36I 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.
28:52But my mom was by my side, holding my hand.
28:56My 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.
29:22Sometimes, the bravest kind of love is the one you give yourself.