FOR the first time in a while, things felt like they were looking up.

My grades were finally back to how they used to be before everything happened and no one at school looked at me like a puppy kicked to the curb. It was as if I was old news, which I wasn't complaining about.

But what was most exciting was that my guidance counselor believed that if I stayed on track, I would have a shot at getting into my dream college.

Columbia University.

I quickly walk into the school building, trying to escape the cold. It was December now which meant that winter would be approaching soon...