A Call for Help

Chapter Six: First Cut

Johnathan soon felt terrible for Samantha. She lived a life that nobody deserves. It's her sixth day in the hospital and she's feeling better. Johnathan came in early today. Mr. Blander hadn't been outside today.
She began to write again after he'd given her a hug. She wrote for a long time, until the page filled up. Once again at the end she started to cry. He walked over and she cried on his shoulder yet again. He hated seeing her sad, anyone for that matter.
He sat on the bedside, and read it, taking in the detail she was giving.
After the foster home life didn't get much better, she began. I went to school again, but I was instantly the target for bullies. Every day it was worse and worse. After six months, I could barely cry. My eyes were dry and my voice hurt from sobbing.
Then I realized I was going numb to the pain and the sadness. I didn't like it. It was like I was, dead. So, I found an old pocket knife in a box my father hadn't taken. I remember holding the blade to my skin and, the writing stops in a scribble. Tears had stained the page.
It had hurt, but I knew I wasn't dead. I don't know if that made it better or worse. Afterward, whenever I felt I should have been sad, or crying, that's what I'd do. You can see if you want.
Johnathan looked at her. She looked back at him anxiously. He did something he didn't expect, even from himself. He took her hand in his. She looked up at him.
He couldn't bring words to his mouth. Instead he placed his other hand gently and her sleeve and looked at her with sadness in his eyes. She nodded at him with a few tears in her eyes.
He pushed her sleeve up slowly, looking at the scars on her arm. He fought back tears as he tried to count them. 1, 2, 3,... 6... 10... 14... 17.. Seventeen scars...
The tears fell from his eyes and she followed his example. They held each other crying. After they both calmed down, they didn't break the hug. Johnathan listened to her breathing, her mind and heart calming down. Samantha did the same.
After a short time, a nurse walked in. She said nothing waiting for a moment. When they still didn't separate after a minute or two, she cleared her throat. They both looked at her, surprised and embarrassed.
"Oh, uh," Johnathan began nervous and embarrassed. "Well, it was nice to see you but, uh." He looked at the time. "Oh shit! I have to go," he said to Samantha. He gave her another quick hug and stepped past the nurse.
"Someone has a crush," the nurse said teasing Samantha. She blushed and wrote 'shut up' on her pad. The nurse only laughed. Samantha couldn't get him out of her mind. She couldn't stop smiling either.