the scariest day of my life at the avenue of the stars
i've never talked about this, but i want to share one of the scariest days of my life. it all happened at the avenue of the stars. my mom and i went to marmalade cafe in calabasas after my shift at fabletics, feeling scared because court was the next day. the atmosphere at marmalade was usually comforting, but that day, it felt different. the usual buzz of conversations and clinking of cutlery seemed distant as my mind raced with thoughts of what was to come. my mom tried to reassure me, but i could see the worry in her eyes too. we both knew that the next day could change everything. going to the avenue of the stars was terrifying. i told my friends at fabletics that i was nervous. they were so supportive, trying to lift my spirits. one of my friends even gave me a hug and said, "don't be scared, you've got this!" their words meant a lot, but the anxiety was still there, gnawing at me. the next morning, i woke up with a knot in my stomach. as i got ready, my hands were shaking. the drive to the courthouse felt like it took forever. when we finally arrived, finding parking was a nightmare. i was already running late, and every minute felt like an eternity. by the time i found a spot, i was 45 minutes late. i rushed inside, my heart pounding in my chest. while i was at court, my friends at fabletics held an in-store yoga class. they knew how stressed i was and wanted to send positive vibes my way. the meditator was this beautiful blonde woman, very serene and almost ethereal, like a hologram. i could almost picture her calming presence, even though i wasn't there. inside the courtroom, everything felt surreal. the judge, the lawyers, the formalities – it was overwhelming. but despite the chaos, we won! the relief was indescribable. i felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. i left fabletics on a doctor's note but told them i would be back. the rest is history. that day taught me so much about resilience and the power of support from friends and family. it was one of the toughest experiences i've ever faced, but it also showed me how strong i can be when it really matters.
-mitchell royel!