Unexpected 5: The Perfect Daughter

Chapter 11: Bottled up

"Chiquita, what's going on? Your dad tells me you've been very quiet lately." Chris asked concerned, as the teenager led her by her free hand to a table.

Both ladies made their way to a table far away from the doors, as the teenager gestured once they separated from the group for Chris to follow her. To Chris' surprise, neither Annie nor Deacon had followed... or even interrupted. She didn't want to step onto their business, but Lila seemed desperate. Maybe they figured it was better if she let go of what was bothering her with Chris and then sit down calmly to talk stuff through. The only issue was: why her? Why Chris?

They sat down, as Lila seemed physically uncomfortable. She looked around, making sure nobody could hear her. 

"Hey! If you don't wanna talk, it's okay. I don't want you to feel forced." Chris said trying to comfort the teen.

All of a sudden the girl got teared up, as she scrunched her face. Chris moved her chair right next to her, and placed her arm around her shoulder. The teenager exploded in tears as she felt Chris' nudge.

"Breath, breath. Calm down" Chris kept repeating

Chris felt devastated as she could only hold on. There was nothing for her to do than just be there...just like Luca did with her when Erika died. At one point she became as quiet as Lila was right there, not knowing what to say, what to feel, what to do...

After some minutes, Lila finally calmed down. She was sobbing quietly now, as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand, which she covered with her jacket.

"I'm so sorry, Lila...I'm sure Emily will be okay." Chris said softly

Lila swallowed hard, as she said, "She wanted to die...to not come back!"

Chris straightened up, and frowned surprised. "She told you this?"

Lila nodded with her gaze stuck on the ground.

"Did she tell you why?"

Lila sat up straight, wiped her face again with her jacket and then turned sideways to face Chris. At least she was calmed now.

"That's why I wanted to talk to you. I knew you are the only one that would understand."

"Tell me." Chris said imitating the teen by sitting sideways, looking straight at her.

Lila took a deep breath, "Please don't tell my parents. I know you're close with dad, but...I can't say I've never considered Emily's choice."

Chris panicked, "What? Lila, you're not thinking of..."

"No! I know suicide's a sin."

"Lila, listen-" Chris interrupted her. She placed the folder on the table in front of them and then placed both hands on her shoulders to keep the teen from focusing elsewhere, "I want you to listen to me very carefully."

Lila nodded quietly.

"Your parents love you, I love you, your brothers and sister love you, your grandparents love you... you have a lot of people that love you! Don't ever consider giving up on  life. Do you hear me?"

Lila nodded as she hung her head. Chris immediately removed her right hand and grabbed her chin to lift her head. "Lila, please! You are a beautiful, smart, creative, talkative and amazing girl that I absolutely adore. Please listen to me when I tell you there is always a solution here with us. We want you here, ok? If you need to talk, you can always call me, 24/7, no matter what. You know that, right?"

Lila nodded again, as Chris let go of her chin, as the teen kept staring at Chris. In her eyes, the officer could see tears forming and her face getting redder and redder.