The truth is such a real object, and most of the time the truth is difficult to grasp, to comprehend. We use lies to cover the truths when the truths seem too hard to bear, but a lie can only stretch so far. In life, we see lies stretch so far that they pop like rubber bands. We stretch the rubber band as a distraction or a stress reliever, but when the rubber loop pops, we are harmed and so are the people around us.

In high school, I have learned that rumors are constantly spreading and rubber bands expand and pop every second. A best friend breaks a pinky-promise, a boyfriend cheats, a parent lies, and an enemy deceives. Two people who seem to be attached like a handle to a coffee mug are suddenly shattered apart. A couple that seem to be so hung up on each other they cannot be separated are surprisingly seeing new people. A parent who promises to always love his or her child shows conditional love in a time of need. An enemy that tries to befriend someone only does so to jab a sharp knife into his or her adversary’s spine. Guarding our emotions can be nearly impossible when those who seem to be the sweet ones turn out to be the sour ones.

Lately, I have witnessed a great wave of lies, deceit, and betrayal. These ugly truths have bubbled up onto the beach around me and left the sand soiled. I let people into my life and handed out trust cards allowing others to guard my secrets. A friend of mine was in a desperate time of love and comfort, so I embraced her with open arms. We laughed together; we prayed together.We cried together, and we shared secrets that were not supposed to leave our own two minds. In return, my heart was shattered by disloyalty and I was left stranded on the beach, drenched in broken promises. My heart trembled because the trust I gave was taken advantage of and left to bleed.

High school has taught me hundreds of lessons, but one lesson taught me more than any other. The truth is not always as clear as we want the truth to be. A sweet friend can lie straight to our faces when we already know the truth. A classmate can break our trust. A parent can disappear when we need them the most. The ones we expect to stay by our sides are the ones to walk to furthest away. We must not be so gullible, and see truth and lies for what they are.