Never Lost, Always Found

Chapter Five

        "Watch where you're going, Paige."

Benji's eyes glare down at me. "Benji, calm down. I still want to be your friend..." I whisper. He shakes his head disdainfully. "I don't want to be your friend!" he shouts, storming away, stranding me on the floor, alone.

Bailey rushes to my aid. "Paige, what happened?" she questions. I'm on the threshold of tears as I whisper, "Benji..." "Oh my God, did he do this to you?" she asks. I nod sadly. She peeks at my arm, which has just unveiled the cast from the shove. As if they were ready for this moment, the girls round the corner. The blonde girl with the pigtails points at me.

"Look at Paige! Her arm's broken, the poor baby! Let's go sign it," she says, smirking. The group surrounds me, pulling Bailey away. She screams my name as they flood around me. There's a murmur from the crowd that's begun to gather around the girls.

The entire school seems to be laughing at me. I curl up into a ball and pray this will be over soon. Ridicules are flying at me, and I start to let those tears cascade from my face. Bailey touches my arm, and I recoil. She assists me to my feet and maneuvers me into the girls' private bathroom.

She locks the door and looks at me. "Are you okay?" she asks. I shake my head, sobbing hard. She stares into my eyes. "Promise me you won't let their words get to you. You can be anything apart from those girls, who can't do anything talented," she says. "I-I promise," I say between cries of anguish.

She hugs me.

It's an odd feeling at first, hugging a girl. I adjust and I realize I needed a friend like this. I cry harder now, realizing someone is here for me to cry to. She rubs my back softly.

"I make so many things a mess!" I sob. "No, you don't," she says. Shakily nodding my head, I whisper, "How do you find so many good things about me?" She stares into my eyes, and I gaze into hers. She sighs, "Well, I know you're caring, accepting, and sweet. People just need to learn to see that in you." I look into her eyes. "Do you really mean that?"

She nods. "I wouldn't lie to you, Paige. You would know."

"I guess so," I whisper, the tears slowing down to a small drizzle. "Bailey, will nobody like me?" I ask. She shakes her head. "You've reached rock bottom, but that only means you will go up from there," she says quietly. "That sounds like something Benji would say," I say. She pulls away. "Remember, Benji's not having a good time right now in his life." I sigh. "I guess not," I say.

"An old lady stopped me yesterday and told me my singing voice was beautiful," I blurt. Bailey's eyebrows raise. "What did you say back?" she asks. "Well, I only said thank you before running to the park," I say.

"Did you sing there, too?" she asks. "No, I just climbed a tree and cried for a little. I always feel better when I cry," I add. "Then a little boy came up to me. He said something like, Find the light, before his mom dragged him away." Bailey looks at me, astounded. "A little boy?" I nod.

"People see you, Paige. You need to see that. See that everyone does care about you. See that you aren't alone completely in this world. That's why you are singing in the talent show. So you can see what people truly think of you," Bailey says earnestly. "But what happens if I slip up on the stage?" I request. She shrugs. "You need to stop looking at things negatively. Maybe throw some sanguinity in there," she says. "I'll try," I whisper.

"That's more like it. You're more profitable already."

"Bailey, you are amazing."

"No, Paige. You are."