After a messy incident at a family party, my parents made me promise to give up drinking. I told them I would, but the truth is, I haven’t. I’ve just gotten better at hiding it. I keep a small bottle of vodka tucked away in an old Milo tin in my wardrobe. I only drink when I know no one is home, but the fear of getting caught is always there. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even worth it, but I also don’t want to feel like I’ve lost all my freedom. My parents keep praising me for ‘turning over a new leaf,’ and the guilt eats at me every time. I know I can’t keep this up forever, but for now, it’s the only way I can maintain my sanity without disappointing them.