Craig Gilner

— I want to kill myself.
— Fill this out.

— I don't have any friends.
— This is very tough thing to learn.

Okay, I know you're thinking, "What is this? "Kid spends a few days in the hospital "and all his problems are cured?" But I'm not. I know I'm not. I can tell this is just the beginning. I still need to face my homework, my school, my friends. My dad. <...> But the difference between today and last Saturday is that for the first time in a while, I can look forward to the things I want to do in my life. <...> Bike, eat, drink, talk. Ride the subway, read, read maps. Make maps, make art. Finish the Gates application. Tell my dad not to stress about it. Hug my mom. Kiss my little sister. Kiss my dad. Make out with Noelle. Make out with her more. Take her on a picnic. See a movie with her. See a movie with Aaron. Heck, see a movie with Nia. Have a party. Tell people my story. Volunteer at 3 North. Help people like Bobby. Like Muqtada. Like me. Draw more. Draw a person. Draw a naked person. Draw Noelle naked. Run, travel, swim, skip. Yeah, I know it's lame, but, whatever. Skip anyway. Breathe. Live.

Like I'm on the verge of just blowing up. All the stress and pressure and anxiety just bubbling up. But I'm never able to let it out like that. You know, I just keep it inside.

It feels like everything is just building up, and everyone else, they just seem to handle everything. You know, like... But not me, you know. I'm scared, okay?