You were right there: Just Leave

There was a ‘sixteen-year-old’ boy, the narrator. His name was Terry. He was born in a small city in South Korea. He was a model student who never broke the rules. He was also a smart and versatile student. He had never left his country, because he had no reason to leave. He was stable, and he never thought of challenges or adventures. He was hesitant when he needed to decide something, because he always calculated if it would affect him negatively.

One day, this boy experienced a turning point in his life. His parents asked him to go to Canada to study-abroad, because of a particular event. This time, he did not hesitate, and he decided to go. He did not know the right answer, but he chose to follow his heart.

This book consists of a series of three letters. The first letter, episode one, was written to Terry’s younger brother, J. It is about adapting to a new world, excessive loneliness and struggle, and the life of a stranger. Terry is young in this episode, and everything is a first-time experience for him. There was no one who could guide him, so he had to figure out his new life by himself.

The second letter, episode two, was written to Terry’s ex-girlfriend. She and Terry were a couple at university. She was Terry’s first love. He loved her with his whole being. He had trust in their relationship, and he believed that they would eventually get married. But he was still young. He did not know that Life does not always turn out the way he plans. She left him after a whirlwind romance. He was so hurt after he broke up with her. For him, it was not just the failure of love, but also the failure of his life. Once again, there was no one who could give him advice and help ease his pain, so he had to figure it out by himself.

The third letter, episode three, was written to Terry, himself. It is a kind of soliloquy, monologue, or mumbling to himself. He lost too much. He got suspended for a year from university, lost all his friends, and his love ended in failure. He lost his life’s direction, and did not know what to do next. Once again, he had to figure it out by himself. So, he decided to try everything he could. He began to focus on himself, and not on other people and things. He began to understand himself, and gradually, he came to realize what he really wanted. He was still young, but not too young, anymore. And it was time to leave, again.

This story will be helpful to someone who: is planning to move to another country; has recently arrived in Canada (or a new country); is afraid to leave their regular life; is afraid of trying something new; or, is afraid of pursuing their dreams.