From Cocoon to Butterfly: Meeting the Beautiful Self

Zoey looked at our parents, took a deep breath, and said, “Mom, Dad, his family’s finances are a mess. They’re getting slammed by competitors and might go under.”

“Edward’s different,” she added. “I’ve heard he’s getting a promotion soon because of his brilliant business plan. If I married Charles, I don’t know how hard it’d be. And... Edward’s been in love with me for over ten years. He’ll treat me right.”

She spoke through her tears in my dad’s arms. My mom, looking heartbroken, said, “Oh, sweetie, you’ve finally grown up and started thinking about what’s best for you. It’s okay, it’s okay. Mom and Dad will handle everything.”

But how could Zoey and Edward have gone to the same high school?

This doesn’t make any sense.

I shook my head and turned to walk out the door, an idea suddenly exploding in my mind.

In my memory, the first time I met Edward was in my second year of junior high school, back in 2012.

At that time, I was introverted and withdrawn. My parents always favored my sister, making me feel like an outsider at home. Because of this, I often stayed at school late to avoid going back.

I remember that night being very cold. I was walking home alone, and a strong sense of unease heightened my senses. When I realized someone was following me, I panicked and started running.

Tears streamed down my face as I ran, and in my panic, I tripped and fell.

Just when I thought it was all over, Edward appeared.

He was wearing a blue uniform, standing in front of me like a hero from a movie. He gently helped me up and told me not to be afraid. He explained that the strange noise was just a plastic bag caught on my shoe. He also mentioned that the area hadn’t been very safe lately and advised me not to stay out too late.

Edward took off his coat and wrapped it around me. I noticed his school uniform underneath.

That day, he bundled me up and told me not to be afraid. He was about to call my parents to come get me, but they hung up as soon as they heard my name.

As he was about to call again, I stopped him and whispered, "Don't bother. They won't answer. My parents... they don’t like me causing trouble."

Edward gently patted my head, and I looked up at him, confused. He said, "Even if they don’t like you, you have to like yourself. If you don’t stand up for yourself, the people who bully you will just get worse..."

That night, he shared a lot about himself. I found out he went to the neighboring high school and that his dad was a cop. In his spare time, he helped out at the police station.

Edward was such a good man. He pulled me out of my darkest moments. He was my beacon of hope.

For my entire third year of junior high, Edward would quietly walk me home, making me feel safe.

Edward once told me that a butterfly dancing in the air was a worm that had broken free from its cocoon.

"No matter how tough your past or how your family treats you, those are just the cocoons holding you back, Celina. When you become a butterfly and fly high, those things will be in the past and won't be able to hurt you anymore."