Flashback begins. 

I'm seventeen years old. It's the day of my high school graduation.

I'm struggling with slicking my hair down into a low bun. The cheap hair gel I had gotten from the dollar store wasn't taming my curls.

Graduation was in an hour and I knew if I didn't hop on the next city bus, I'd be late.

I yanked my hair out of the failed style and shook out my curls. I wet my hair with the sink water and finger combed it. 

I stood in my bedroom mirror. On my body was a pink fitted t-shirt, a light blue jean skirt, and I wore brown flats. ...