Don't Let Me Go #Wattys2015

Chapter 3

Later that night Lia returned to the dorms looking like hell.  She seemed lost with the black bags underneath her eyes, smudged mascara and all. The green top she had on, was covered in blotches from her back and around her waist line. Instead of her earlier exhilarated self, her posture now screamed 'fatigued'. This was most definitely not the Lia I met in the morning. She honestly appeared as if she had just escaped from purgatory.

"Whoa, girl." She all but sprinted towards me before aiming her bag in the direction of her bed. I gladly hugged her back. And soon I could hear her whimpers as she continued wailing into my shoulders.

Ignoring the fact that her strawberry scent now had a mixture of.. hospitals, sterilizers and chemicals odor to it, I continued to hold her until she ran out of tears.

"I don't mean to be nosy or anything but as your roommate, I'd really like to know what has been going on with you for the past few hours."

I used the term 'roommate'

I used the term 'roommate' instead of 'friend' because I didn't want to go ahead of myself and claim to be the friend of such a popular and beautiful girl. I mean, I know my standards.

No sooner had I finished than I heard her dry heaving. Quickly, tossing her a cold Tupperware bottle, I guided her to the closest seat, my reading chair.

Taking a sit on my bed, I watched her from afar because I didn't know what else to do. Me speaking only caused her to break down. Not just once, but twice. So I kept my mouth shut and wondered what could possibly happen to bring this beautiful, bright girl to this dirty, crying mess. Growing up alone, I've never had to show my condolences to anyone and no one did that to me either.

Being the freak I was, I just stared as she climbed to her bed without changing her attire. I watched as her eyelids drooped and soon she lost all consciousness. With every passing day I realized how worthless I am.

*Flashback*

It reminds me of the day of my eighth birthday. The day my life had been snatched away from me. The day I started realizing how bogus I am.

That morning I was woken up from my slumber with my mother's light kiss on my temple while my whole family watched from their positions. Their 'Happy Birthday Song' made me hide my yawn.

The only mornings I actually looked forward to waking up were my birthdays. Because this was the day I was tested as the princess I was. That day was no different. Mom brought me my favorite breakfast to bed. Pancakes with strawberry sauce. I shared some with Liza because she was eyeing my meal with great interest.

Landon kissed my hair and murmured a "Happy Birthday, Princess Leah." And before I could hug him, my face was smeared with strawberry sauce. I all but lunged at him. "Landon!"

"Stop screeching! A princess should not forget her etiquettes," that's my brother for you.

A light beep brought me out of my reverie.



I moved my body enough to bring my phone from the nightstand and stared at it. And then, I realized I was seeing blurred lines. I touched my eyes to find myself wearing my glasses.

"What the heck?"

I took off the thing to realize, my face was wet. I quickly pulled my T-shirt up and cleared my face off the wetness.

Readjusting my nerdy glasses, I slid the screen of the smartphone to find a new text from an unknown number. I hadn't given my number to anyone.. anyone except Lia. Yes, the same girl who's dead to the world right across from me.

Before I could start zoning off again, curiosity got the best of me and I tapped on the message app. It said,

"Hey, Princess, told you this was just the beginning. And believe me when I say this, I really do love a good chase. XX"

It isn't who I think it is. It can't be, can it?

"Um, I think you got the wrong person, mister.

PS: word of advice- don't disturb strangers at such ungodly hours."

If I was unsure before, I'm not anymore. Now that I've got your response."

"Like hell you know. Wait, where did you get my number again."

"I have my sources, princess. 😉"

"Ugh. Be like that. I don't chat with strangers anyway. And don't you dare call me that!"

"Why, princess? Does it bother you?"

I typed a reply to that with very colorful words but in the end I just I just added the text to the drafts instead. Why waste my time on strangers when I need my long wanted sleep.

"Sleep tight, princess. Don't forget to dream about me.😉"

With that, I have to admit the stupid, egotistical, beautiful.. Erase that, I meant conceited guy did succeed in bringing a silly smile to my face. And maybe for the first time in years I would go to bed with a real smile. The world does need changes sometimes.