Brave Enough

Chapter Four: Comfort From a Stranger

Lindsey's POV

When I got back from talking to the teacher I noticed that there was four trays at the table but only the boys were eating. I walk up to the table, "Have you guys seen Willow?" The both shake their heads. I continue to look around for Willow but there was no sign of her. So I started to look for Yazmin. She arguing with the guy that they told me was Vincent. Then she walked angrily towards the bathroom. I put down my tray and started towards the bathroom but I was stopped again. "Hi Ms. Stirling! My name is Vincent. I just wanted to say that I'm such a huge fan of your music." "He doesn't seem that bad," I thought to myself. But, I remember something. "He's ignorant, narcissistic, and egocentric," "Nicholas said earlier. "What your favorite song," I asked him. Then there was silence. "Ummm," he said, "You know, I just can't choose one. They are all so amazingly wonderful. I just wanted to ask if you could spend some time with my friends and I." "I'm sorry, but I can't. I have to stay with Willow. If you would excuse me, I have to go find her." I say and try to walk away. "No," he grabs my wrist, "Please reconsider your answer." "Still the answer is no," I stand my ground, "Now, let me go so I can go and find Willow." But, he didn't let go. He tightened his grip on my wrist. It was to the point where it started to hurt. "You don't understand do you. How things work around here. Why we do what we do." His voice expressed the anger he was feeling. "Willow and her geek group are not the kind of people you want to be around. Everyone practically hates them! They're into the craziest of things. Whatever we like they don't and they like we don't. It's the way things work around here. And, hanging out with her will only hurt your reputation. But if you hang out with my friends and I, you could earn a few more fans. So you can choose, the weirdos or us. Your reputation is hanging in the balance." This boy made my blood boil. He talks about Willow likes she's trash. And he claims to be a fan of my music. I pry my wrist from his hand. "You think I came here to get more fans! In fact, the amount of people I have now is more than enough which is a God-given blessing! I came to support a fan. And Willow is a great person and so are friends! And if you were really a fan you would know that I wouldn't let any of my FRIENDS or FANS down unless if there was a SERIOUS EMERGENCY! AND I DON'T CARE ABOUT POPULARITY! She's nice and kind and respectful unlike YOU! Willow was right you really are a bully." And I walk away in a fit of rage. I unleashing my anger on others but I believe he got what was coming to him. He shouldn't hurt other people for his own benefit. No one should.

I ran into the girls' bathroom and I see Yazmin sitting outside of closed stall. "I swear the next time I that theatre idiot, I'm gonna beat the song and dance out of him." I sat down beside Yazmin as she makes some space for me closer to the stall door, "Willow are you okay?" "Why are you here," she said choked up. You could hear the pain and sorrow in voice. "You shouldn't be hanging out with me. You should be hanging out with Vincent. I'm nothing." She was hurt and broken. Her eyes were dimmed and filled with despair. She had lost the spark she had before. "I would never do that. Vincent is a big-headed jerk. And, I don't give up on people just like that. And, And, I wouldn't give up on you. You're an amazing person and you shouldn't let anyone else tell you otherwise. In the few hours that I've known you Plus, what you wrote was actually pretty helpful for me. And I wasn't exactly supposed to be here." She unlocks the door and pushes it open. Her eyes were red from crying and her cheeks were stained with tears. She sniffles, "What do you mean?" I take a deep breath and give her an explanation on what was going on. "I was pretty unhappy. And I was a bit self conscious. I thought that I would mess up and ruin my career. It was like no one was listening to my music. It thought I was a failure. Your letter gave strength to remember that I have millions of people who care about me. So I made a few connections and I decided to fly out here to meet you. When I found out that you won, I decided to extend my visit. The original prize was four hundred dollars, but I didn't feel like that was enough for what you said.You seemed like an awesome person and now that I'm here, I realize that I was right." She started to cry again but, this she was smiling, "I-I-I don't know what to say. I knew you were nice, but this is a lot! This is more than above and beyond!" She got up and hugged me. "Thank you," she said. Then she got up and hugged Yazmin, "And thanks for being a good friend!" "Ahhh," she yelled as she tried to pry herself from Willow's hug, "No physical contact!" She eventually lets go Yazmin. She wipes the stained tears from her face, brushes off her uniform, and stretches out her arms and legs. She looks towards us and smiles, "Come on, we still have to finish our lunch." Then, she pushes open the door with her newly-found confidence.

YAY! IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS ***\(• . •)/*** ! And the year is almost over. Sadly, this will the last chapter of the year. But, I do have some very important news for the upcoming year.... I'm starting another book! Even though I just started this one, I think it's nice to have a head start. I'll give you more details on it next year. And going update my Rant Book soon so look out for that.

Merry #Stirlingitemas and Happy New Year

-CJStirlingite