It'll Change Without You [FINISHED]

Chapter four: Back at school.

TW:

Attempted suicide

Mention of person who offed themself

September 13, Monday.

[Shadow POV]

I'm awakened by Lemon shaking me awake, whining about how I needed to get up right now or we would miss the train. "I'm up, I'm up. Calm down." I muttered sleepily, still half asleep. "You need to get ready for school!" Lemon hissed. I sit up, and swing my feet over the side of the bed. "Fine, fine." I hiss, standing up. Lemon is already dressed in an oversized collared blue sweater, a black pleated skirt with a white stripe at the bottom, and white thigh high socks. The outfit combined managed to hide any bruises from last night, even if Lemon had to run. "Wanna wear matching outfits?" I asked excitedly, grinning. Lemon smiled back. "Sure!" She said, slightly giggling.

I walk over to my dresser, which is covered in random papers and school items on the top, and dig into my drawers. I pull out my own rendition of the outfit, but mine is a tad different. Instead of a blue collared sweater, mine is a raspberry-pinkish color, the skirt is the same, black with a white stripe, and my socks are dark grey boot socks or whatever they're called. I pull the outfit on, along with a pair of shorts to go under my skirt, and smile. "Ready to go?" I ask Lemon. Lemon nods, and we head out of my room.

[At the train station]

Lemon and I waited patiently for the train to arrive, both of us staying relatively quiet, besides the occasional cough. "No!" Someone had screamed, catching Lemon and I's attention. Someone was screaming and crying at the wall like barriers that London had placed on the rails. There to prevent people from jumping in front of the trains. The person was being dragged away by security now, as the person cried and kicked at them, or, more at the barrier. I could tell the security officers were getting annoyed. "No! No, let me go! I don't wanna be here anymore!" The person yelled, still directed towards the wall, and not the security. "You can't get past anyway! The barriers prevent it!" One of the guards yelled, snapping. I glance at Lemon, who seems concerned.

The train pulls up, it's wheels screeching loudly against the track. "Damn it!" The person said, loudly enough for me to hear. "Let's go." I say, slightly tipping my head in the direction of the train. Lemon nods, and we walk onto the train, finding seats and sitting down. We arrive at school eventually, going into the gym for the assembly.

"Good morning everyone!" The principal, Mr. Wilson said, getting a few "Good mornings" in response. The assembly went on, going over major topics like how school would be running with the pandemic and regulations. "Before we go, I'd like to have our consular, Mrs. Abbett, go over an important topic for children your age." Mr. Wilson said, moving off the stage to let Mrs. Abbett on. "As some of you may know, one of our freshmen recently committed suicide over the time we've been in distance learning." Mrs. Abbett said, mentioning the sensitive topic with no warning, causing some of the high school kids to flinch. "Because of this, our school will be allowing a few days off on the rest of the week for a whole school mental health... Week." Mrs. Abbett started, causing some students to perk up at the mention of no school. "Any tests or lessons will be delayed until next week, and any homework won't be handed out until further notice." Mrs. Abbett said, barely managing to finish over the loud chatter, excited over the temporary lack of homework. "Quiet, please. There's still a bit more." Mrs. Abbett said, causing the excited chatter to drop to the occasional whisper.

"Because this happened, we've got to go over some mental health guidelines. First off, you should know that you're valued and appreciated, and if you need help, all you need to do is ask. We can help you through anything you're going through, and suicide is not the only way out. Things will get better, no matter how bad it is." Mrs. Abbett took a breath. "After all, there's a reason London puts barriers on the train tracks." She finished quickly from there. "If you need someone to talk to, my door is always open. Thanks for your time, and see you monday." She said, before stepping off the stage. The rest of the day was boring, most classes having free time instead of the planned schoolwork.

"Not gonna lie, I'm kind of disappointed there's no school." I said, fumbling with the hem of my skirt while Nox braided my hair. "How come?" Lemon asked, looking up from the sketch she was working on. Something about her fifty subs special. "I won't see you in person for a week, unless we meet up, which is unlikely." I said, handing a stray piece of hair back to Nox. "Thanks." They muttered, before continuing to braid my hair. "No problem." I responded. "What's so important about keeping in touch with everyone anyways?" Lemon asked, returning some of her attention back to the sketch. "I just... Don't like feeling alone, I guess." I said softly. "You know, living alone isn't all that easy." I muttered, closing my eyes. "Yeah, I get it." Nox responded, continuing to braid my hair. "How are you still braiding her hair?!" Lemon asked, lighting the mood. "It's really freaking thick! And long!" Nox hissed back, seeming to regret what they said when we all started giggling.

"That's what she said." I managed between laughter. It was all going fine. Just fine.

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CLiffhANGER! HAHA, S U F F E R T I L L N E X T U P D A T E . (sorry I didn't update on Sunday)