The Girl With Blue Hair

Chapter 6

The whole school had heard about what I said at the memorial by Monday morning. They didn't dare talk to me.

The teachers were quiet, too. They knew that they were guilty of ignoring her, too.

School went by quickly. I walked to Angela's school so I could talk to her on the way home. I didn't want to go straight to the house, just in case her uncle got angry.

Her face lit up when she saw me waiting for her outside the school gates. We spoke about Arabella while we walked.

"Bella missed our parents all the time. I don't really remember them, but she remembered how kind and loving they were. This life is all I know." she said.

"I'm so sorry." I said, holding her hand as we crossed the street.

"It's okay," she said," I'm fine, but Bella used to do bad things."

"Like what?"

"She made herself bleed with that sharp thing you use to shave." she said.

She was beaten and she cut herself.

I left Angela to walk home alone just a few metres away from her house. Then, I left to comfort my depressed mother.

***

I bought doughnuts on the way home, hoping that might make my mom feel better.

When I walked in, I found furniture missing and the kitchen in a mess.

I ran up to my mom's room to find empty cubboards wide open and my mom sitting on the bed, staring at nothing.

"Mom?" I asked, beginning to cry.

"He took all his stuff today." she said in a monotone.

"Mom, come downstairs. I bought doughnuts."

She didn't move.

I sat down next to her. She'd been staring at the dressing table, where my dad's wedding ring sat.

***

That night, I was in bed, on my laptop. I Googled hotlines for child abuse and foster homes. I had to find a safe place for Angela.

She needs a home where she will feel safe. Not like what I have. I have a broken mom. I had an abusive boyfriend. I don't have a dad anymore.

I slammed my laptop shut. I sobbed into my pillow for a while. I hadn't cried so much before.

And that was all it took for me start cutting myself, too.

I went to bed straight after I did it. I just needed some sleep, then I'd be fine.

By morning, my eyes were puffy and it felt like needles were stuck in them. I was exhausted, but I got up.

That day was not going to be a wasted opportunity to help Angela.

***

After school, May and I went back to my place. I asked her to help me look for a foster home for Angela.

"It's really nice of you to do this." May said. She was lying on her stomach on my bed, researching on her laptop.

"I feel like I have to, since I couldn't help her sister. Also, it's the right thing to do." I replied from my desk. I was researching, too.

"Lyra, will you ever tell me what happened that day?" she asked. I turned around to look at her. She was waiting there, expecting me to explain every single thing.

"Maybe. It's complicated. I just..." I trailed off. She nodded her head, understanding that I wasn't ready.

"So, Adrian spoke to me today." she said.

"What did he say?" I asked anxiously.

"He wants to be with you again. He really loves you, but he could hurt you." May explained.

"I love him, too. I always will, but I can't put myself in that position."

"Maybe he'll change someday."

"May, I've seen what Adrian has done; I'm not risking it."