Waiting For Superman

Reluctant Truths

“I’m really sorry about the other day,” Kara said as she apologized to Sharon. “I was overreacting.” Sharon laughed and said, “It’s fine. I’m not gonna let a stupid fight destroy our friendship.”

Kara smiled at her before plopping herself down in a seat. Sharon slid in across her and said, “Wow, it’s been ages since we last came to Starbucks together.” Kara nodded in agreement and said, “Of course it’s been ages. You’ve been too stingy to fork out seven bucks for a cup of coffee.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to save some money here. I’m being practical,” Sharon said in defence as she dug for her wallet. She threw it to Kara who rolled her eyes and said, “Fine then you stingy woman. I’ll treat you to a drink then.” Sharon winked at Kara before flipping over her phone.

Kara walked up to the counter and said to the cashier, “Hi, can I get a Grande caramel macchiato and a Venti java chip?” As she handed over her Starbucks card, she spotted a familiar face behind and turned around.

What she saw made her instantly turn back. She grabbed her card from the cashier and instantly walked over to Sharon and sat down, her mind racing. “What’s wrong?” Sharon asked, looking at her in concern.

“It’s Johnny,” Kara said, starting to hyperventilate. “I just saw him with another girl. I think he’s cheating on me.” “C-C-Cheating? I highly doubt so,” Sharon stammered, laughing awkwardly.

Kara looked up Sharon and said quietly, “You knew all along didn’t you?” Sharon stared back at her and sighed saying, “I thought it was a onetime thing.” Tears were welling up in Kara’s eyes by now and she said, “That time when we were at VivoCity, it wasn’t your cousin you were talking to was it?”

Sharon shook her head slowly and Kara laughed darkly. “I finally get what he was going on about that night,” she said darkly as tears streamed down her face. “He hit me because of that you know.” Sharon looked at her in shock and whispered, “He hit you because of that?”

Kara nodded and wiped her tears away saying, “He did. He was really mad when I came home that night. Now I know why.” “Kara, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” Sharon said apologetically. Kara gave her a small smile and said, “It’s fine. I think I’ll go now.” She stood up and grabbed her bad, not bothering to turn back and say bye to Sharon.

Her tears were flowing thickly down her face now, but she was too shocked to bother about the weird looks people were giving her. When she climbed into her car, she stared blankly ahead, her shoulders shaking with tears.

Kara started the engine and pulled out of the car park, her head throbbing. She couldn’t go home, not now. She was too tired to face Johnny and whatever that was. She drove around aimlessly for awhile, and soon found herself at Glenn’s place.

She climbed out of the car and walked up to his door before staring at it blankly. Slowly, she pulled her phone out of her bag and dialed his number. “Hello?” came Glenn’s voice.

“Glenn, it’s Kara,” she said shakily. “Kara, are you alright? You sound like you’re crying,” Glenn’s said, his voiced laced with concern. “I’m not fine,” Kara admitted, sniffling. “Where are you?” Glenn asked. “Outside your door,” she whispered.

She could see him sitting on his bed in his room, and he looked out the window and saw her standing there. She hung up as he ran out of the house and opened the door. “Hi,” she said weakly, when he opened the door. He gestured for her to come in and she stepped across the threshold.

“So what’s wrong?” Glenn asked as he handed Kara a cup of tea as they sat down on the sofa.  “It’s Johnny,” Kara admitted, her hands shaking as she sipped her tea. “I was at Starbucks with Sharon just now and saw him with another girl.”

Glenn frowned when he heard that and said, “He really is an asshole isn’t he?” Kara tried to smile at his remark, but found herself soon overcome by a fresh batch of tears.

Glenn moved closer to her and placed his arms around her saying comfortingly, “It’ll be fine Kara.” “I really loved him Glenn. I really did,” Kara whimpered, her entire small being trembling. Glenn rubbed relaxing circles on her back and nodded.

“I know you do Kara,” he said. “But I don’t understand why. The man treats you like shit.” Kara looked up at him and wiped away her tears. She sat up right and looked down at her arms.

“I’ve never told anyone this before, but I’ve was diagnosed with depression four years ago,” Kara said quietly. “It was right after I broke up with my abusive boyfriend Alex. “There was another one?” Glenn asked in disgust.

“Sharon had forced me to go to the doctor, who in turn referred me to a psychiatrist. She said I was traumatized by what had happened between Alex and I, and she gave me some medication,” Kara said, ignoring Glenn.

“I started cutting after that, and my psychiatrist got even more worried,” she said, running her hand up and down her left wrist. Glenn gingerly picked up her hand and saw the thin criss-crosses up and down her arm and bit his lip. “You shouldn’t have done it,” he said sadly.

“It helped me control my emotions,” Kara said, finally looking up to at Glenn. “I don’t know why, but I find physical pain easier to bear than emotional pain. It’s easier to get rid of somehow.” Glenn winced in pain at her words and said, “That’s why Johnny was the perfect boyfriend, wasn’t he? He was causing you physical pain.”

Kara nodded and looked at him quietly. “I know I’m being extremely naggy,” Glenn said. “But you really need to break up with him Kara. All this isn’t good for you at all.” “I know that Glenn,” Kara said harshly in reply. “Everyone says that to me.”

“I know it isn’t healthy. But I need this pain don’t you understand? I need to constantly be feeling pain. It keeps me in check, shows me that I’m still alive,” Kara whispered. “I’m just addicted to this kind of hurt. Betrayals, broken relationships are what I live on. I’ve been living in countless broken relationships since I was young. I’ve gotten used to it.”

Glenn shook his head slowly before saying, “Kara, no one deserves to have to go through so much pain. No one has to live through broken relationships all the time. You don’t deserve all this.” Kara looked over at him and said, “I don’t know Glenn. I’m so confused all the time.”

Glenn hesitated a little before saying, “I can help you sort things out Kara. You just need help and a little time for everything to be fine, I’m sure it will.” “You’ll help me?” Kara asked.

Glenn chuckled softly and said, “Of course I will. You just heard me confess my love for you barely two weeks ago. How could I go back on my promise?” Kara smiled at him and said, “Thanks a lot Glenn. You’ve been really supportive lately.”

Glenn looked over at her and leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. “I’ll always be here for you Kara,” he whispered before pulling away. Kara’s face was flushed and she looked down at the floor.

“I really don’t deserve such nice people in my life,” Kara said with a sigh as she placed her head on Glenn’s shoulder. “You do,” Glenn said as he mussed up her hair. “Everyone does.”

Both of them sat in silence, staring out at the swimming pool in Glenn’s backyard. “Thanks Glenn,” Kara murmured after awhile, closing her eyes. Glenn pecked her on the cheek and said, “You’re welcome.”

As he looked down at her, Glenn smiled to himself triumphantly. Finally Kara was his. And it wasn’t that hard a fight after all.