I had been suffering from anorexia and bulimia for more than a year when she first started asking me what was wrong. I didn't want to tell her; not because she was my math teacher and it was "uncool" to get close to teachers- it was because I was afraid to trust.
The past year had been a rough one, and I felt that I had been deceived many times by people with whom I thought I could share anything. I was afraid to get hurt again. Whether I want to admit it or not, the truth is I was sinking deeper into the eating disorder each time I was burned. I could make my other problems go away or ignore them by doing that.
This teacher was extremely sweet, and deep down in my heart I knew she was only asking because she was really concerned and cared a lot about me. Even though I was scared out of my wits, I decided to take a leap of faith and tell her what was causing my fatigue and failing health.
It's been four months since that day. I'm happier than I've been in a long time and I am on my way to recovery. Not only has this teacher become a wonderful friend and supporter to me, she has been what I had been so desperately looking for: a person I could trust.