Opened Shell

by Zayne Ali

You could tell your friends,

but you don’t.

Instead you turn to the adults you’re so used to.

 

How would your friends act if they knew?

Would they scorn you?

Think you’re too vulnerable?

You don’t know.

You don’t want to know.

 

Why are you afraid of judgement?

These are your friends for gosh sakes!

They’ve been through the same stresses and challenges you have!

 

But you still don’t say.

Fear weighs on your heart.

Avoiding the topic is like a slow, careful dance.

 

But one day, the clouds were too much.

You just needed someone to talk to.

Someone who understood.

Someone who cared.

A peer that been through this dark storm like you.

 

This person appeared,

just like an angel.

The two of you had a heart-to-heart talk.

 

“It was like talking to a mirror,

you think to yourself.

“Someone who’s an introvert with depression too.”

 

You hugged together,

cried together.

You built a friendship that could never be broken.

 

Though depression might seem like a challenge,

don’t think it makes you any weaker!

It makes you stronger,

as a matter of fact.

Don’t let anything or anybody tell you otherwise.