THE AFTERMATH

Dear Diary,

I was sexually assaulted in my college dorm room early on in the spring semester of 2020. I swallowed it down, repressed it, refused to think of it until recently. I’ve finally had to accept counseling through my school’s Title IX office. I can count the people who know about it on one hand. I still have nightmares, panic attacks, and flashbacks about everything I’ve experienced. To add insult to injury, the trauma has really affected my attention span and ability to learn. I’ve been just barely passing my classes these past few semesters no matter how hard I try to achieve more. I just want someone to be proud of me, to recognize my efforts as being the best I can do. I’m trying my hardest.