As soon as I dialed the number, I felt a sense of liberation wash over me—a strange but empowering sensation that I had been deprived of for years. The person on the other end was my friend, Lisa, the only one who had consistently supported me through the ups and downs, never wavering in her belief that I had potential far beyond what my family could see.
“Hey, Mads. What’s up?” Lisa’s voice was warm and instantly comforting.
“I’m leaving,” I whispered, my voice quivering slightly despite my resolve. “I need a ride to my interview.”
