mirrors.

I understand image very well.

Being in a creative communications college, we're taught in Public Relations that image is a very important thing. Yes, you can be an individual - in fact, it's even encouraged. However, integrity of that image is infinitely important. You have to maintain it and be proud of it. Fluctuating between that isn't something one can afford to do.

That was my mistake before this. I was fluid in my image, aiming to fit into whatever mold I was given. Now, my image is concrete set and the only reason I can shape it is because I am my own architect. In my search for myself, I had chosen partners who were weak and undetermined in their own image. In their weakness, I lost myself.

Thankfully though, I was able to pull myself up. I've challenged my limits and I am so proud of the person I am now. I wouldn't have been able to be this person without the help of the people around me. Unfortunately, some of them dislike the person I have become and they left.

Is it because I reflect the darker parts of their personality? Is it because I took the traits that left the strongest impressions on me from them? I wouldn't know. I know some of the people out there despise how stubborn I can be. I know some of them hate the way I will call them out on what they're doing or thinking.

Ultimately though, I have the best partner possible in this. He has slowly become everything to me, so strongly intertwined with me that to break him off is to sever parts of me away. The best part is that he understands and he is willing to teach me as I am willing to learn. He doesn't judge for me for who or what I've become, but has become my confidant and strategist. I am grateful. He's made me see how the people I've tried to bring back into my life were mistakes and how some of these people have incurred damage to my own psyche. Sure, it isn't beyond repair but my personal code dictates that these people do deserve some form of vengeance. Not for what they've done per se - hindering my own growth for their personal gain is something I've overcome - but because they need to learn. They're almost begging for it. That's a new thing I've learnt.

This isn't some petty form of revenge anymore. This is war, and while I might not play to win at this point in time - after all, both sides lose in any form of war - but I do intend to show these people how much they've lost. Right now, I only have one target in mind. One particular target that's going to make all of this so sweet.

Round two, go.