Into The Light

New Friends

Getting adjusted to a new house in a new city has been a lot tougher than I thought it would be. Since the day we moved in, I've become best friends with my next door neighbor.

Sarah is 14 years old and goes to my school . She and I have become really close over the last few days. She's the sister that I always wanted.

Tonight, She invited me to go to the picnic her youth group is having at Saylor Park. After talking with mom about it, she thinks it would be a good idea for me to go and make some more friends before I start school tomorrow.

"Lila, Sarah's here," Mom yells up the stairs. Seconds later my door opens, and Sarah walks in.

"Hey, Lila, How are you?"

"Hey, Sarah, I'm okay, I'm anxious, How are you?"

"I'm good! Why are you anxious? Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened, I'm anxious because of the picnic and meeting new people,"

Sarah smiles, pulling me into a tight hug, "There's nothing to be anxious about, Zack and Luke are the sweetest, you're going to love them!"

I wiped away the few tears that had started to roll down my cheeks, "I'm scared that they won't like me, after getting bullied every day for the last nine years, I don't trust anyone," I lift my shirt slightly to show her the scars on my stomach."The bullying got so bad that I would cut my stomach, thighs, or anywhere I could without someone knowing,"

"Please don't cut yourself anymore, You're beautiful. What the bullies said isn't true,"

"I haven't cut since right after I found out we were moving,"

She moves the bracelets and shows me her scars, "Only Luke knows that I used to self harm, in seventh grade, I was in an abusive relationship, I was only thirteen at the time, but I wanted to fit in with all the other girls and have a 'boyfriend' too. He started calling me names after a few weeks, He'd hit me, or do whatever he could to try and make me fear him. I wasn't allowed to hang out with Luke or Zack. Luke saw what was happening and helped me get away from Trent. Luke has helped me so much, after dealing with my ex, I started to believe a lot of the lies that he told me. Luke is the exact opposite, he always reminds me how beautiful and special I am. When I lost all hope, he picked up the broken pieces and put them back together, stronger than they were before,"

"I'm glad you found a guy who treats you right, I've never had a boyfriend, but I know how it feels to be manipulated. A few months ago, I tried to do anything I could to get Connor to like me, One night, we were hanging out, and he wanted to have sex, and I agreed to it. Later that night, he slipped something into my drink and I passed out,"

She hugs me tightly"Oh Lila, I'm so sorry. I promise that one day, you'll have someone who loves you unconditionally and would never hurt you,"

"I don't know if anyone will want me after what happened with Connor,"

"I felt the same way after I dated Trent. When Luke asked me on a date, I was worried about ruining our friendship. I've known him and Zack since First grade, and we've been inseparable ever since the day we met,"

"I wish I had friends,"

"You have me. Ever since I met you, I haven't stopped talking to Luke and Zack about you. They're excited to meet you, and they already love you. They're two of the sweetest guys you'll ever meet. I think in the future, when you're ready to date, You and Zack would make the cutest couple!"

"I don't even know him yet, but maybe in a few years, I'll be ready to date someone,"

"Just remember, you deserve to be happy,"