The Project

14

Riley

I've been rereading the same message for the last 12 hours. I don't know what to say, what to think or anything
"Hey you" Hayden smiled coming to sit with me in Maths. The one lesson where it's just the two of us
"Hey" I smiled in his direction, he narrowed his eyes before slumping into his seat
"Spill" He said making me look at him confused
"What's got you so upset" He asked and I shook my head
"I'm not upset" I confirmed and it wasn't a lie

"then what is it?" he asked
"James messaged me last night" I said making Hayden smirk
"That's good no?" He asked and I sighed looking down at the message
"He read one of my letters" I said and Hayden nodding
"it was a letter about my attempt" I said fiddling with my fingers, Hayden placed his hand in mine making me look up at him
"Are you okay? What did he say?" He asked before I showed him the message 

'Hey, I know that your probably wouldn't be expecting this message and in no way am I expecting a reply. I just wanted you to know I read letter 4..
Riley, you are a hell of a lot stronger then you give yourself credit for 
I couldn't imagine what was going through your head or what is to this day
But I want you to know, you are your own person and that person is amazing 
Screw the comparison

I'm here if you ever want to talk and I mean that x'

I looked at Hayden who smiled towards me
"Seems like you've caught some luck in this project Rile" He teased making me roll my eyes
"Says you, how everything going with Michelle" I asked and Hayden winked
"I'm taking her out tonight after she finishes dance practice" He said and I smiled
"Look at you!" I said making him chuckle
"How did you get that passed Fred?" I asked
"I told him me and you were hanging out" He said making me roll my eyes
"So what? I'm your escape goat?" I asked and Hayden nodded
"Just like I'll be yours when it comes to you and James" He smirked
"Yeah like that'll happen" I said and Hayden merely smirked a little more 

--

It was my free period while everyone else would be in Drama so I headed to the library
James had read my 4th letter, i might as well stick to the same pace 

'Hellooooo,

The way I see myself is simple..
I'm James
You either like me or you don't. And if you don't I don't need you around 

So many kids our age struggle so much with their opinion on themselves when in reality the only person you should be trying to impress is yourself 

Shock yourself by showing you what you can accomplish
When everyone done and over with, one of the few people you can truly depend on is yourself anyway
That isn't me belittling anyone who has confidence issues. Not at all 
In fact someone very close to my heart struggles with it daily

I hate watching her beat herself up over the words of some stupid kids when in reality she's awesome in her own way

In my personal opinion, there is no such thing a bad quality, there is just this thing could jealousy
Anyone who is happy to point out your 'flaws' are nothing more then jealous of something you have that they don't 

At the end of the day, if you can look in mirror and smile at your reflection. Then why change a thing? 
If there is something you want to change for yourself do it
But if you want to change something because someone else doesn't like it? Keep it. Wear it like it's the best thing to walk this earth

The best thing we can do is be comfortable in our own skin

Until Next Time!

James'

I couldn't help but chuckle slightly, I can actually imagine James saying the last paragraph. It it's a little upsetting that Piper is going through something similar to me though. I would hate for anyone else to feel like this especially someone like Piper 
From what I've heard from James, she's the best thing to ever enter his life 

But I like that last line, Maybe I should learn to be comfortable in my own skin