So, Now You Care

Volume 1

"So now you care, huh?"

I glare at her as she holds me down to the roof.

"No, you're wrong! It's just- I... I didn't know."

"Exactly... No one, and I mean no one took notice. Did you all even care about me?"

I continue pressuring her, feeling her grip loosening by the second.

"Of course... We would all miss you!"

"Lies! Filthy lies! Where was your support during the torment? Where were you back when everyone drew on my desk? Where were you when I sat alone up here, crying myself until the bell rang? WHERE?"

She begins tearing up at my remarks.

"I'm sorry..."

"What. Do you think that will-"

"I said I'm sorry! We all are! Please, just..."

"Oh, what is this? Do you expect me to believe you?"

I begin laughing like a maniac as I watch her horrified expression.

"Lia, you're well off, right? You've been my best friend for years now, right?"

"..."

Tears drop on my face as she releases me and continues sitting on my stomach.

"Exactly where were you when both my parents died? It was tough, you know? A teenage boy was all alone and forced to provide for himself. Do you know what I had to do? LOOK AT ME."

She gets off me and sits in silence.

I crouch beside her and stare through her and into her soul.

She slowly turns her head to face me.

The first thing she took notice of would be the eyepatch on my right eye. Or was it the broken nose? Maybe it was the grip mark around my neck.

"Man, I just love my life."

I say, before climbing the ledge again.

The wind blows past me and brings me out of balance, making me a little wobbly.

I break down as I lean forward.

I was falling.

I close my eyes and let myself flow through the wind, but something halts me.

I open my eyes to see Lia holding on to my ankle with all her might.

"...Let go."

I tell her to let go, and as I do, she begins hysterically crying.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

She apologises as she pulls me up. Her arms tremble as the tears continue to drop onto me. It begins pouring, yet she still tries.

Despite the slippery railing, she tries. I notice her begin to slip, but she holds on.

"What are you doing...? Lia, let go. Let go!"

She pulls me up just enough for me to hold on to the ledge.

Lia slips up and loses her grip. She's falling.

"Hey... HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

The bells ring loudly in my ears as students soon come rushing out of the entrance. Lia hits the shallow pond below as soon as the bells begin ringing.

I grit my teeth and attempt to pull myself up.

My fingers were freezing, and I was in shock.

I manage to pull myself over, and after I do, I take a look.