How To Save A Life

Chapter 2

Kylie woke the next morning and finds Malia still asleep on the couch. She smiles sadly and heads into the kitchen. She starts making pancakes and brewing coffee. As she's flipping the last pancake, she hears footsteps approaching. "Good morning, i made breakfast." She offers her a plate. "Thank you." Malia spoke in a soft tone. They eat in silence until Malia speaks up.

"Why'd you help me?" She asks. Kylie shrugs. "Why wouldn't i help you?" "Because everyone always wants something...." Malia mumbles. "So what do you want? Money? Praise? Sex?" Kylie looks at her shocked. "I don't want anything, i helped you cause you seemed like you needed help." Malia tosses her fork onto her plate. "I don't need anyone's help." She suddenly stands and goes to leave. "Thanks, no thanks." She puts on her shoes and leaves, shutting the door behind her. Kylie quickly chases after her. "Wait! Wait!" She opens the door and looks around but she's gone. "What the fuck? How is she so quick?" She runs back inside and grabs her phone. "Pick up, pick up." "Ky?" "Ruby! I need your help!"

They spend the next half hour driving around so Kylie can look for Malia. "So who is this chick? And why do you need to find her right away?" She asks. "Her name is Malia, i met her last night and she needs help." Kylie wasn't sure if she should go into detail or not, that seemed personal and probably something Malia would rather keep private. "Ok, but do you really think you're gonna find her? She's prob-" "Stop the car!" Ruby breaks immediately. Kylie unbuckles her seatbelt and flies out of the car. "Malia!" She runs up to her. She turns around at the sound of her name and rolls her eyes. "Go away Kylie!" "I'm not going anywhere until i get you to come with me." "Well, good luck with that." Malia continues to walk, ignoring her. "Malia, stop!" She grabs her wrist. "Let go of me!" She yanks her arm back but Kylie keeps her grip. "Not until i get you to come with me." "Why?! Why do you care?! Nobody cares about me!" "I do!" "Why?!" "Because i just do, ok?!" Malia stares at her as tears start to form in her eyes. "Just leave me to die...." She whispered. Kylie shakes her head. "I can't let you do that....please, just come with me and we can get you help."

"There is no helping me...." Malia stares at her. "Yes there is, you just have to try." "I don't want to try, I don't want to anything. I don't want to be here anymore." Kylie pulls her in and hugs her tight, as if she was afraid if she let her go, she'd lose her. Cause in her mind, it was true, she'd lose her forever. "Please. I'm begging you, let me help you. Let me get you help. However you need it. It doesn't have to be therapy, just let me be here for you." Malia sighs as she holds her tight. "I don't think i can do this anymore...." She whispered. "Then I'll show you that you can." Kylie pulls away slightly and looks at her. Malia wipes her tears and nods. "Ok...." Kylie smiles and holds her hand tight as they walk back to Ruby's car. She opens the door and slides in after Malia. The car ride was silent until about halfway. "I'm Malia." She whispered. Ruby glances at her through the rearview mirror. "I'm Ruby." She glances at Kylie and raises her eyebrow. Kylie sighs and nods. She drops them off at Kylie's apartment. Kylie lets Malia out first and goes to the passenger window. "Ky, was she doing what i think she was doing?" Ruby glares at her, hard. Kylie swallows. "Y-yes." Ruby sighs and hits her head on the steering wheel. "Ky.... I can't...." Kylie nods. "I know, i know. Just go, i got her."

Ruby nods and drives off. Kylie watches her drive, wiping tears away before turning back towards Malia. Was she really going to do this again? She sighs before hugging Malia. "I promise, I'm here. Let me be here for you." No going back now, she will help Malia. This time, she will get it right. Malia hugs her back for a brief second before letting go. "Plenty of people have said that before and after a while, they eventually just gave up." Kylie shakes her head. "I won't. I promise." Malia scoffs. "Yeah, you say that now until my depression hits me and you can't take it anymore and abandon me." Just go! The flashback hits her like a brick. She pushes back the ache in her heart. "I'm not going anywhere." She tells her, determined.

"Yeah, we'll see about that." Kylie opens her front door and let's Malia in. "How about this? We get you out of here, go to the mall or the outlets, let me get you some new clothes. I always feel better after a makeover." Malia smirks and raises her eyebrow. "You think i look that much like a hobo? Too ashamed to be seen with me like this?" She teases. "Oh no, i love your....urban chic...." Malia laughs. Kylie smiles as she watches Malia. "I'm serious, we can grab a bite to eat, you can tell me more about yourself." It took some more convincing and an Uber ride, since she was not about to drag Ruby back into this, but they were finally out. Kylie dragging Malia along wherever she goes. Having her try on outfits, new shoes, some accessories. By the time they sit for lunch, Malia has a whole new wardrobe.

Was it a bit shallow using money to 'buy' happiness? Maybe, but every time Malia's eyes lit up when she saw a top that she liked or shoes that fit her, it was worth it. She didn't care. "So, tell me more about yourself." Malia sighs. "Well, my mom is a single mom, my parents are divorced, i have a younger sister, Ivory. " Kylie listens as she tells her about her family and old friends. From what she can gather, it seemed like Malia had a good life, so why would she want to end it? Then again....so did.... Kylie shakes her thoughts away. They eventually Uber back to Kylie's apartment. "So are you staying somewhere?" She asks Malia. "Um, my depression kicked in and I didn't go to work for a while and i never paid my rent so, no. I actually have until tomorrow to clear my stuff out." Malia sighs. "Just another fantastic part of my life." She mumbles. Oh yeah, my life is a joy! Kylie's breath hitches as another one hits her. "Where do you live? I'll help you clear your things." Apparently Malia lived just around the corner from her apartment. She helps Malia clear out all of her things, which were already in boxes. She didn't have much, surprisingly. The two of them together cleared out her things in one trip. They walk back to Kylie's apartment and set her things down. "You can stay with me in the meantime." Truth be told, she wants Malia to stay for as long as she wants. She wants her to stay forever. If she can prevent anything from happening this time, maybe this guilt will go away, finally. But she knows it never will. "You can stay in the guest room." She brings her things to the guest room and sets it on the bed. Was this extreme to be inviting a complete stranger to live with you so you can make sure nothing happens? Maybe. Did she care? No. She glances at the picture frame and her heart aches. "I'm so sorry i couldn't help you...." She whispered. She feels tears well up and she wills herself to not let them fall, blinking them away as Malia enters. "So, uh, you can stay here. Make yourself comfortable, make yourself at home. I'm gonna make us some lunch." Kylie leaves her alone to unpack. Malia looks around the room, it was nice, quaint, a bit extravagant, which makes her wonder how much money Kylie has and why is she living here if she has money to spare? She unpacks slowly when a picture catches her attention. She knows she shouldn't but, looking won't hurt, right? She grabs the picture frame and looks closely at who's in it. Kylie, the blonde from earlier who left in a hurry, someone kissing her cheek while looking at the camera. Her girlfriend maybe? She reads the note written at the bottom.

Friends in this life and the next and always

RIP Mel

What happened to Mel? From what she can gather, she was their friend, seems close to the blonde from earlier. Was this why Kylie was so determined to help her?