All By Myself

Confrontations

Seek help when you need them, don't just stay silent.

I was back at school waiting for Charmaine in the hallway. I was tucked in a huge coat because it's snowing today. I love the snow. I actually taste them. Elliot and I would throw snowballs at each other when we were little but he barely does anything with me nowadays. He's always in his room studying for competitions after competitions.

I saw Charmaine in the crowd. Her silky blonde hair stood out. She has her father's hair. He had long straight blonde locks just like Charmaine. I always thought he as nice but after reading it I would never look at Mr. Aldric Alphelion the same way I did ever again.

"You left your diary on the bus Char." I told her.

"Thanks, did you read it?" she asked as though she doesn't trust me at all.

"Charmaine Alphelion I am concerned!" I confronted.

"Estella Davids why would you read my diary?" She snarled at me.

"Well, if I didn't read it, I won't be able to help you." I snapped back.

"No one can help me, ok? Forget everything you saw or I'll obliviate you just like how Hermione Granger did to her parents." She spoke.

"Charmaine, you always help me why can't I do it too?", I asked.

"Let's stop discussing this. I swear if I have a wand, I'll definitely wipe out your memories. You'll soon be like Gilderoy Lockhart." She replied.

"You have been reading your Harry Potters!" I chuckled.

"I found it in Father's study, I took it without his permission and I actually like it." she explained.

"Why did you take it from him? You could borrow mine; you'll easily get in trouble!" I warned.

"Yeah right, there's nothing he could do again that haven't happened." She looked down.

"You already got in trouble for that?" I was concerned. Charmaine wasn't the type of girl that would get in trouble. She's perfect, to me. Well, she seems like she lived a perfect life.

"Forget I said that, Stella, besides its class time."

Why would she get in trouble for reading fantasy books though? I only ever seen her reading books that has things to do with history or general knowledge skills.

Why can't she give me at least a glimpse of her life so that I can actually help her? Why is she refusing help? I am stuck in a land of confusion and worriedness.

It was English class and we had to hand in our essay. Thank goodness I did it, it was worth 20% of our final exam happening next week, then I'll graduate and get into Year 10!

I was stunned when Charmaine told my teacher she hasn't finished it. The whole class was stunned. I stared at her in disbelief. What's going on in this girl's head? Fiona who was behind me started to whisper to her gang. Ms. Raegan got Charmaine to talk to her outside for a minute. The class was silent. A wave of shock was spread in the class. I was afraid for her. I didn't know what was happening.

Charmaine came into the class with tears dangling under her eyes. What have Ms. Raegan done this time? It's not like it's rare seeing Charmaine cry but a teacher made her cry. She probably threated to call her parents. I think Charmaine's parents are who Charmaine's scared of most. They traumatize their child!

The class passed slowly. I hated English class but somehow, I like writing. I felt like I was stuck in a time wasp in English class but luckily next class was swimming. I love swimming classes. I was one of the fastest swimmers in the class. Charmaine struggled with swimming. That's the only I know that she's bad at.

We got out of class and I went over to Charmaine who looked sorrow and blue. I grabbed her arms and dragged her to one of the common rooms. We have common rooms here at our school but we aren't sorted into houses, instead we are sorted into classes. Each year has their own common room. I think it looks like the Harry Potter common rooms. There are sofas, vending machines, charging stations, tables for group discussions, a speaker, 3 TVs and even a shelf of course books for students that forget books at home. Today the room was empty. I sat with the sobbing Charmaine. She was tearing up. I was confused. Should I talk about this to an adult? No, Charmaine would kill me.

I sat with her until she was more relaxed. "She'll call my parents." Charmaine cried.

Oh no. This is not going well. How would they react? I want to help Charmaine so badly but I can't go to the Alphelion's residence and just yell into her parents' faces for mistreating their daughter.

I didn't know what to say but just gave Charmaine a concerned look. I hugged her to make sure she felt warmth and love. That's the only thing I could think of doing. You see, I am a slow thinker so the fastest thing I could do to comfort Charmaine is a hug. I haven't got one from my parents for years but I got one from Charmaine when I struggled with the frogs. Charmaine was always there for me so I should be brave and be there for her too. She's the only support I have right now and I don't know what I would do without her. I hated to see her sad, I'll blame it or Mr. and Mrs. Alphelion. My parents do neglect me but at least they aren't cruel and strict like Charmaine's. I think I know the reason Charmaine didn't hand in her essay. She went through too much and Ms. Raegan should understand that. The Headmistress should hire more teachers like Ms. Amelia!