Alright, Mollie is about to start her Sophomore year at SMA, and I'm so excited for her. I know I only adopted her, but she really is my daughter. I just hope she has a good time. She needs to learn to trust again. I'm still so happy she goes here. She'll love it, I'm sure.
I still remember when she was a kid. She was so tiny. I just can't believe she's sixteen now.
Look how cute she was. Now my baby's going to become all grown up. I say it like she's moving away, but I know that she's going to learn how to be a strong independent woman here. I know I did.
I'm giving her directions to neverland. She thinks I'm insane, but she'll use it if she needs it. I know she will.
Mollie doesn't know it yet, but I've been dating a new guy. I probably won't tell her unless it gets too serious. She's always thinking about how to keep her life a secret. She's just lucky I'm not in front of the camera. She'd never catch a break.
All I know is I wish her the best.
Love,
Penny
P.S. I totally know you're reading this, Molls. I stuck it in your box on purpose. I love you. See you on break.
P.S.S I know I mentioned my boyfriend. I'm sure you can put it together.
The first day of college. Back in New York, standing in front of the place that would start her forever. NYFA, one of the best schools in the country had accepted her. It was the end of summer and it was starting to get colder, but she could hardly feel the nipping breeze. Penny was too excited too finally start her life. With her last box in hand, she turned to wave to her brother and her parents who were in the car.
She walked through the doors of the school, seeing everyone moving and talking reminding her of her first day at SMA. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face at the memory of the school. It was hell and heaven at the same time. She'd miss it no matter how much she pretended not to.
Penny walked through the crowded hallways, waving at a few people she recognized from orientation. After finally getting to her new dorm, she, of course, tripped on the edge of the door, sending papers, photos, and books to scatter across the floor. She cursed under her breath, starting to gather whatever she could, but she slowly looked got distracted as she started looking at the photos.
There were so many of her and her friends being dorks. Making stupid faces at the camera, or doing the lame poses thirteen year old girls do in the mirror. She grinned going through those and even the more normal ones. It almost made her want to cry a little. These were the people that have known her through break downs, and amazing times. It was insane to think that graduation was the last time she saw any of them. Especially Jamie. She would have to call him. She still had his number in her phone, along with half the other people she knew from SMA.
When Penny graduated, she thought it would be her freedom, but it surprisingly wasn't. Everywhere she went, things she had learned from St. Mary's followed her. The school had changed her life for the better if that was even possible.
Penny looked around the room, spying the little black diary she kept during high school. Flipping through the worn out, roughly scribbled on pages, she looked at old entries. The depression, the cutting, the misery. It was all so sad. Penny finally found what she was looking for; a blank page.
Journal #11-
Here I am now, a college student. I'm actually out of SMA. It's pretty crazy. I like it here, though. Everyone gets me. I can't help but miss St. Mary's, though. It's taught me a lot. If I ever have a kid, I'm sending them there. It really does change your life.
I'm going to have to keep in touch with some people from there. I don't know why, but being in college is almost making me miss it. I'm excited still. I'm studying what I love. What more could I ask for?
Penny closed the little black journal, and smiled. She tucked it back in the box along with her photographs and countless Stephen King books, sliding it under her bed.
"Hey, Penn, you coming?" Someone called from the hallway, dangling her car keys through the door. "Lunch on me."
Penny grinned and nodded, standing up from the floor. "Sounds like a plan." She walked out into the hallway where two other kids were waited. "To a half decent, college student meal." One of them called grabbing the other girls hand and running down the hallway. Penny laughed and followed, starting the first day of forever.
