Saving Persephone

Chapter 4

Tyler's POV

I saw her turn, the more she drunk, the more of a different person she was. Sephy was probably the most beautiful girl at our school and one of the smartest too but she didn't know it. She could have been anything that she wanted to be. Even when drunk, her muddy brown eyes looked glorious and her bright red hair made her stand out from all those other boring girls. She was perfect and always had been to me. I'd never had the heart to tell her that me and her sister were never that exclusive, and I'd always been way more into her. Her sister knew though, of course she knew, everyone could tell I loved Sephy just from the way I looked at her. That is...apart from Stephy.

She wasn't my Sephy then though, at least a dozen double vodka's later, she was someone I didn't recognize.

"I hate life, Tyler," She told me, not a glint of sarcasm in her tone, she meant it, I knew she did.

I pulled her closer to me and she placed her head on my chest, filling my nose with the beautiful smell of vanilla from her hair. It made me melt and feel so much love, I just wanted to protect her.

"Do you know what?" She said jumping up and nearly falling over as she did. "I'm not going to sit down and let this happen." She quickly headed towards the door, falling over in all directions.

I raced behind her as quick as I could. I had to keep her safe. She started running, Jesus I don't know how it was possible, this girl couldn't walk properly, but she was sprinting. I kept next to her, not saying anything because I knew it wasn't the right thing to do. I knew how quick she could go when she'd been drinking. It was better to just stay by her side.

She stopped running when we got to the school.

"I wonder if it's open," She said.

"It'll be locked," I told her. It was too late though, she was trying to push the door of the tall building.

I followed her round the side, desperate to keep her safe, but equally desperate not to get caught. All the doors were locked, unsurprisingly.

"Let's just get out of here," I pleaded with her.

"You go," She spat. "I've had enough! Why is nothing how I want it? I just want to go inside! How much is that to ask for?"

Before I knew what she was doing she smashed the window. Shit. We were definitely going to get caught now, and I didn't want to get kicked out of school but it was more important to me that I didn't lose Sephy. I knew I had to stay calm with her.

"I'm going inside!" She shouted.

I tried to hold her back but I knew it wouldn't work, she elbowed me hard in the face, making me bolt back. I wasn't expecting it, she'd never hurt me before when drunk. She quickly climbed through the window, I could see herself scraping her skin on the glass as she did. I heard her fall to the floor below and then nothing. How could I have let this happen? I panicked, my heart beating quicker than it ever had before. I quickly scrambled after her, cutting my legs as I did, but not really caring.

That's when I saw her, just laying there. I was by her side as quick as a flash but there was blood everywhere, she was covered in it. Then I heard footsteps coming. Shit. They thudded closer and closer. I didn't even dare to look up, I just held Sephy's delicate hands as tight as I could, never wanting to look go. The footsteps turned the corner, they were meters away now and must have seen us because they came running.

"Kyle, what happened?" Mr Barker screamed, pushing me out of the way to get next to Sephy's side, I resisted at first, not wanting to let go of her hand.

"Sephy?" He said, getting close to her ear. "Can you hear me, Sephy?" She moved her head and her arm, grabbing his to show him she was okay. Relief shot through my body. She was going to be okay.

"Don't move Sephy, you're going to be fine, they're just cuts," He said gently.

Then he turned to me, "How much has she drunk?"

"A lot."

"You let her?"

"Have you ever tried telling her what to do?"

"Go home, don't tell anyone about this," He told me, strictly. I'd never heard Mr Barker sound like that, normally you couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

I knew that I had best listen so I kissed Sephy's cheek and slowly got up.

"Tell no one." I nodded and walked off. As if I'd tell anyone. I knew Sephy was in good hands but I wished it had been me that had made her wake up and had reassured her. I hated myself for allowing her to get in that state, it wasn't simple with her though, it never was.