Freefalling

2

Earlier

Even as they sit in math class, she is beautiful to him. He loves the way her black hair shines when the light hits it. He loves the way her ocean blue eyes stand out against her pale skin. He loves the way she pays so much attention and makes it look like she doesn't.

She isn't beautiful to society's standards, but he doesn't mind. He thinks it gives him that much more of a chance with her.

As they sit in math, she thinks he is a geeky version of cute. She admires the way he always stares at her and blushes when he is caught. She mentally giggles at the way he writes notes about everything the teacher says. She loves the way that he gets flustered when he's called on.

They talk all the time, in and out of school. She doesn't mind his presence. He absolutely loves hers.

She is aware of the fact that he was the only person to willingly approach and be friendly to her. He strongly believes in love at first sight and strongly believes that this is it.

Today they went to her house. Her parents don't like her and don't hesitate to show it. They told her she was worthless. They told her she was fat. They told her she was stupid. They told her that yesterday. And the day before. And the week before. And the month before. And the year before. And many years before. And she believes it.

She is bulimic. She is a cutter. She is seen as the creepy goth girl. Her lips are black. Her nails are black. Her hair is black. Her clothes are black. Her thoughts are dark. Her music is loud. Her blades are her escape.

He knows this. All of it. It makes him upset that someone like her is treated the way she is. He doesn't care what people think about her as long as they only think it.

She got fed up with her parents, so they left. They walked until they reached her neighborhood park. He guided her over to the swings and they sat. They stayed quiet. It wasn't awkward. It was a caring silence. A noiseless gesture that said, "I care."

She finally spoke. "I fucking hate them. I want you to know that you are the only person I can trust." He was bewildered. He looked at her with a face of confusion. He asked if she really meant it. She said absolutely.

He got up from the swing and held his arms in a way that begged for a hug. In a few seconds, their bodies were pressed together. This made him very happy and her very calm. They both seemed to forget about everything else. Not a care in the world, just each other's embrace.

She pulled away and thanked him. Even though she was content at the moment, she still urged to cut. He could see it in her face. He told her that they should keep busy to keep it off of her mind. She was very curious, but skeptical. He wanted her trust as he guided her away.

He brought her to a dump. She was clueless until he walked up to an old discarded window. He grasped a pipe that was in his reach. He proceeded to beat the hell out of that window. He was yelling curses and flat out releasing his rage. She found an old car, then a rotting baseball bat and joined him.

And it worked. She didn't want to slice her wrists right now. She wanted to demolish this rusty vehicle. This car was her parents. This car was the kids at school. This car was the non-believers. This car was everyone and everything that she's ever hated. And it felt good. It felt so fucking good.