Hidden Inside

The Troublesome King

She couldn't help the smile that grew on her face. Something that was so rare and exquisite. It wasn't often that the light could reach her eyes as well. Most of the time, she played the part of the happy soul for those around her but in actuality she carried the weight of the world and so much more like she was Atlas trying to hold the sky. 

"I know that look!" Her friend snickered, but the forthcoming jabs were quickly replaced when her eyes followed her friends to the troublemaker close by. "No, stay away from him. You're only going to get hurt in the end." 

Her smiled turned bittersweet as she mustered the only thing she could think of. "I know."

As the boy in front of them turned around her friend quickly pulled her towards their next class, one of the three they shared together. 

Another came to join the one as a mischievous smirk took over his expression. "Don't do anything. She's been through enough." He warned the other. 

"I wasn't going to do anything." The prior reacted. 

The day went on for the four of them. The two girls split off at lunch while the boys continued to go on with their day.  As the day came to end the boys split and the first went to find the one who carried the weight. 

"Hey Leona, right? You're the new girl." He asked her.

"Sorta, I've been here for about a month now." She responded. "You're  Cason right?" Though she already knew the answer. 

"Yeah that's right. I've seen you around, and I was wondering if you would want to hang out." He smiled sweetly. 

"Oh, um...sure" She replied returning the gesture. 

The two friends watched from the same spot in the hallway. "I can't believe she wouldn't take my advice. I know we haven't known each other long but I know the trouble he brings. She's been though enough. I told you." She sighed. The boy beside her looked at her. "I know Julie, but you can't save her from everything." 

The months passed and Leona wore a smile most days. One that was full of joy, Cason seemed to make her forget of the mess that was left outside the four brick walls. She could leave it inside the tower she called a house. 

But as the school year came to a close, so did the novelty of the girl in front of him, and Cason found himself growing too close.  He knew what he was going to do. Yet this simply wasn't what he expected. He didn't actually expect to care what happened to her, but he started to pick up on the little things. He could tell something hadn't been right, but it hadn't stopped her. They were just too different and now he knew he would be adding to the problem. 

"Leona, there you are. I was just looking for you," he sighed. He could feel the weight of what he was about to do but it needed to be done. 

"Yeah, I was just about to meet up with Julie and Callan. Aren't you coming?" She asked as she grabbed her books out of the locker for the last time. The last couple of weeks had been stressful with finals that had now come and gone. "We were supposed to all go to the movies tonight to celebrate the beginning of summer break. We have to make this one really count since we won't see each other again till the next one," She finished with a bittersweet smile. It was true this was it for now. They were all going off to different schools for the next year. Different pathways and different dreams leading in different directions. 

"I'm not coming tonight, or any of the others. I can't be around you anymore Leona, I'm breaking up with you. I can't do this, I'm bored and this wasn't ever supposed to happen in the first place." He continued on. She stood in shock. Not believing the words straight from the lion's mouth. She didn't see this coming. She thought they were good, she was starting to smile more and he had made her happy. She could see the little changes in him as well, he was smiling more, he was more caring, more kind. She could tell the difference in him. He wasn't the boy she was crushing on. He was someone new, becoming someone better than who he was originally.  "You should still go meet up with Julie and Callan." He said before turning away from her, not wanting to fully accept the damage he had just done. He left her their alone as the other two caught the end of what happened and rushed up to her. Callan catching her just before her legs gave out. Julie met them on the ground. She wasn't expecting the hug that came as Leona gripped her tight. Callan rushed after his once best friend. 

"What the hell was that!" He screamed. Cason turned around. "I lost my interest in her," He replied flatly. "Bullshit!" Callan accused, "You were doing so much better with her. I stopped chasing her because I saw the way the two of you were together! She was happy, like actually happy, and so were you." 

"Listen, she's got a heavy heart, a messy soul, and a reckless mind, and I think it's beautiful the way she carries herself. Which is why I couldn't do that to her anymore. She needs something better, someone better."

Meanwhile.... 

"I know sweetie. I tried to tell you, he wears trouble like a crown, and your tears are just another diamond in the headpiece he parades under." Julie whispered. 

"I should've listened to you."  

"Sometimes we just have to find out for ourselves and trust we will have people to catch us when we fall."