nine things || lrh

Fifth Thing

My phone vibrated.

Who could it be? Maybe my parents? I doubt, we don't talk. Maybe my friend? I haven't had one for a long time. Maybe a telemarketer? Most likely.

I looked at the phone which was lying on the kitchen counter.

Michael.

What did he want? Probably check how I holding up.

Charmingly.

But it wasn't my friend. It was Luke's friend. And Luke wasn't here.

I rejected the call. I looked at the date.

September 20th.

I thought about him again. Today is my birthday. I guess I should celebrate.

Should I?

༻✧༺

"Oh Lysa"

This voice. I knew him too well. If the devil somehow came down to earth, that's what I imagine he would sound like.

"What do you want, Blake"

I pressed my pink notebook a little bit more to my chest.

Just not today.

I thought he gave up today.

Not on my birthday.

I prayed in my mind. Although I knew it was a vain attempt.

If God existed, he wouldn't let it happen or at least he would heard out my prayers, right?

"What are you holding there, sweet Lysa?"

I backed away until my back pressed against the blue lockers.

He was standing right in front of me. So powerful. Even though he was 12 years old and not much taller than I was, I felt that he could trample me like an ant.

I hate this.

"Can you leave me alone"

I whispered.

I didn't dare to meet his eyes, let alone stand up to him.

I couldn't.

"If you report me to the principal again, I will stop being so nice to you"

That wasn't me. It wasn't me.

I wanted to tell him.

This was my mother. It's her fault.

He grabbed my ponytail, pulling my hair down so I could look at his face.

Surprisingly, he did it quite delicately today.

The corridor was almost empty. I was trapped.

Nobody's gonna save you, Lysa. I kept telling myself.

"Do you understand, sweet Lysa"

His face. His eyes. Filled with hate.

But was the hate directed at me? Or maybe on his parents? Or maybe on teachers? Or on Mrs. Pankway, his eighty-year-old neighbor, who threw small pebbles at him as he smashed more flowers in front of her house?

Who was Blake? What was he really afraid of?

"Blake leave her alone"

My guardian angel. Or maybe it was God who changed his mind?

"Why do you interfere, Melani"

He let go of my brown hair.

"Come on, hang out with me. Don't waste your time on this freak"

However, I was wrong. Again.

The girl crossed her arms over her chest, coming closer to me and Blake.

"And you go to hell, bitch"

She laughed sweetly. The voice didn't suit her. The voice didn't suit her character.

She knocked my notebook out of my hands, along with the english book and two others books.

Bang.

She grabbed Blake's hand and pulled him away from me.

"See you later, sweet Lysa" my tormentor shouted.

I knelt down to collect my things.

I could feel the tears starting to flood my eyes. I tried to stop it.

Black. Black shoes.

Black shoes stood by my books. I was afraid to look up. But I did it.

The stranger smiled crookedly. He knelt down and helped me pick up my things.

"Are you okay? I mean.. I know a stupid question. I saw what happened. I mean not everything" we stood up.

He had beautiful eyes. Blue like the ocean.

"Why don't you stand up to her?"

If only it was that simple. I took the rest of my things from the stranger.

I pressed them to my chest again, a lot tighter this time.

He noticed my despair. I could see the compassion on his face.

I hated it.

I hated when people felt sorry for me.

"Anyway.. I'm Luke"

He put out his hand.

I didn't trust him. I didn't know what he was going to do. I wanted to be careful.

He took his hand away when he realized I not going to shake her.

Awkward moment.

"What's your name?"

I was afraid.

I could have gained an ally or an enemy.

Risk? This day couldn't get any worse.

"Lysa"

This day will not be worse. Not with him.

༻✧༺

Now he was gone.

He didn't come to my rescue.

Not any more.

He won't do that anymore. I have to do it myself.

The only question is.

Can I make it?