the only thing i can think of right now is yes, i was once a teenager, yes i was once a wide-eyed girl, yes, i once sought the attention of a man who i thought would make me happy, yes, I was once in a seemingly-infinite tumble towards something i hoped to god would amount to something good, that yes, i couldn't tell the difference between heart and hormones, that yes, i lost and regained control and regained myself and self-respect, that yes, relinquishing control, dignity and self-worth is worse than faerie dust, sighs and beaming eyes combined, multiplied and stretched exponentially.

that yes, i am one with my compass and so to those who are still finding their paths and worlds in men and boys i can only smile, smirk, be angry and exasperated, be patient to the nameless and stifled, be forgiving and always lend the compassionate ear. legions of hopefuls and hopefools have come and gone and you may be another statistic (and believe you me you will not be the last one) but i see you and i can only cross my fingers that you come out of this better than the man you have fashioned for yourself as your reason, your world, your everything.