Always And Forever

Chapter 6: Elisa's POV

After I had come out of school with a 'serious illness', I had caught the bus to the shopping centre.

I was in a hurry to grab something to drink because I was really thirsty, since I hadn't had a drink all day. So of course, I went to the first drink shop I could find which just so happened to be Starbucks.

Unfortunately, like always, luck seems to never be on my side and I had carelessly bumped into a girl who looked just a little bit older than me. Of course, I apologized and bought her a new drink, and I am now indeed sitting with her at a table in Starbucks.

"Elisa," I answer her question when she asks for my name.

"That's a lovely name. I wish I had a unique name. Stephanie doesn't suit me at all," she sighs as she takes a sip of her latte.

"I think that's a great name," I frown. How could she not like it?

"I'm named after my mother. She's never around to look after me, nor is my dad because they are doctors. They leave me in the care of our maid and chef. The maid, Natalie, is practically my mother. I would've rather been named after her. She's so sweet and is always there for me," she explains.

"Well at least you have someone supporting you and caring for you. I love my mum but she doesn't umderstand me at all," I tell her sadly, "I tell her I'm being bullied and she doesn't really care."

"Why don't you move school?" Stephanie questions.

I shake my head. "It's not as simple as that. I've already moved three times already, this being my fourth, and everytime I have started at a new school, the bullying starts. I can never escape it."

She nods her head as she listens to what I say and then folds her arms and leans back against the chair.

"Do you stand up for yourself?"

"I-I can't. I...just don't know what to say or...do," I stutter nervously as I play with a loose bit of thread hanging from my shorts.

"I think," she begins, "I think I see the problem."

I glance up at her and my eyes lock with her's. "You do?" I ask in surprise.

"Yes, I do. I used to get bullied in year seven by the school's most popular girl, Nancy. I later found out that she was bullying me because she was getting bullied. Then a few weeks later she came into school and she looked...different. It didn't take a genius to see that she had surgery. Then just like that-" she clicked her index finger with her thumb, "-she became popular."

"After that she stopped getting bullied. However, she continued to bully me. It was then that I started to self-harm because the words that everyone used to say to me where so hurtful. It didn't take long for Natalie to realize something was wrong because I wasn't my usual self. She sat me down and talked to me for a few hours; told me how to be strong, stand up for myself and be happy."

"How?" I question, eager to find out the answer. I take a few more sips of my drink and listen carefully.

"For starters, think positive. Don't think about negative things, that's bringing yourself down. Don't think about what happened yesterday, that's history. Don't think about the future, fate will work itself. Think about the present and the decisions you make."

I stare at this girl in front of me. Stephanie. I didn't even know she existed just over ten minutes ago. She was a complete stranger. But now, I feel like I've known her my whole life. Stupid as it may sound, but it's true. These words of wisdom she was telling me now meant so much too me.

"Also, comebacks are good," she continues whilst finishing off the last of her latte.

"Comebacks?" I repeat.

"Comebacks." She nodded. She rolled up her left sleeve and checked her watch, then her gaze holds mine. "I've got to run. I promised Natalie I wouldn't be late home," she sends me an apologetic smile.

"Oh." I'm upset at the fact that she has to leave so soon and the sadness is evident on my face. She sees this because she gets out a pen from her shirt and grabs my hand. I watch her intently as she scribbles a few digits. "That's my number. Call me, text me, whatever. We can meet here again, tomorrow if you like. Same time, same place?" She smiles at me and I nod my head so fast, my head feels dizzy.

"Great. Bye, Elisa." She waves at me with her and I give her a small smile in return.

I stay in my chair, stunned and surprised that I've just made a friend.

I've never had a friend before.

A smile makes it's way onto my face when realization sets in.

I've made a friend! Finally, I've met someone that likes me for who I am and won't bully me!

I look down at my hand and read the digits she wrote. Then I look back up with a full blown grin on my lips.

I can't wait for tomorrow.