Found

~Chapter 1~

" Another few cuts to add to the collection.." A small blade is set down on a dresser, blood still lingering on the edge. Her eyes scanned the top of the dresser, noticing the dried stains from previous blades and knives. Sighing, she cleans her arm as best she can, blowing her blonde hair away from her eyesight as she cleaned the wound best she could. She looks up, her vision slightly blurry without her glasses. But she could still see the bags under her eyes. Running a hand through her hair, she turns on her heel, and begins getting dressed for the day, kicking clothes and other various items that happened to scatter her floor. "I.. I should pick up one of these days.. but today isn't that day." Slowly she bends over, picking up a black pullover hoodie with a small green alien head on it, and sniffed. Shrugging, she lays it on her bed and struggles to find shorts, setting them down along with the hoodie and spraying them both with perfume. Shortly after putting them both on, and tidying herself up as much as she cared to, a soft tune coming from her phone made her pause. She listened carefully, moving her fingers along to the beat, and closing her eyes, clearly not realizing the tune was signalling a alarm. She smiled softly, seemingly becoming lost in the tune as it repeated, each time becoming longer. " Got me.. got me so lonely.." She sang softly along with the music. " I cannot hear, and I cannot hear you.. Love is at hand, Be soft and control me, but you left me so lonely." After about 5 minutes the alarm stopped, and she raised her hand to her eye, wiping away a tear. Moving around the clutter she found her shoes, slipped them on, and stood at the door, her hand resting against the knob. "Alright Peri.. let's start the day." Peri breathed in heavily, held it and let it out. She put her headphones in, and her glasses on, looking for her playlist called 'Preventing Suicide' and walked out of the door.

The walk to school was the same as any day. Eyes down at her feet most of the time until a cross walk came up, and avoiding eye contact with other people. She would at times take a dirt path, liking the way she could feel the rocks under her shoes. Normally while walking through this dirt alley, she would sing louder, and more open, thinking she was alone. Because of having her headphones on max volume, she never noticed the workers and few stragglers that would hear, and enjoy her singing. A few workers complimenting her singing, though knowing she couldn't hear them.
" Everyday she walks by here, and either doesn't see us, or just doesn't care. But I tell ya man, her voice is something else." One would say.
"That it is, but she doesn't look like the type to pursue it. She doesn't even look happy. I bet you anything she isn't happy. I would know. I've been there."
"Yea Yea, we know. But now look at ya!" By now she would be out of earshot of the workers and others, some of them following a bit to catch a few more seconds of Peri's singing. Soon enough Peri noticed that more and more feet accompanied hers, which meant she was close to the school. She started counting the cracks in the sidewalk, trying to distract herself from the growing anxiety that creeped up on her. Taking another deep breath, Peri crossed on to the campus, taking a second to look up and around before moving again. Not many people talked to her, and she preferred it that way. She sat under her favorite tree, calmed herself the best she could. She closed her eyes, letting the music take her away from reality until she felt a soft tap on the toe of her shoe. She looked up, a irritated grimace on her pale face, until she realized who it was. "G-Garnet..! I didn't know that was you..!" Peri said, her small voice putting a smile on Garnet's face. Of all the people Peri had to be around, Garnet was her favorite. To Peri, Garnet was like the older sister she never had, although she was a year older. Garnet was with Peri in her darkest times, and even stopped her from commiting a few times. Garnet patted at her afro, and took off her heart shaped glasses and say next to Peri.
"And what are you listening to this morning? Found any new songs I might like?" Garnet's voice came out strong and proud. Peri had a playlist on her phone for Garnet, that she would add songs to every so often.
" I have.. I really like this one.." Peri said, looking down and smiling. She took out the headphone in her right ear, giving it to Garnet, who put it in and waited for her to restart the song. Garnet slowly started to tap her foot as the beat started to pick up, and the few words that did come up, Peri would start to sing. Garnet raised an eyebrow as she listened to the song and Peri, and chuckled a bit, knowing Peri was lost in the music again. When the song ended, Peri paused it and looked up at Garnet. "...So..did you like it?"
"Hell yea I liked it!" Garnet said a bit loud, making Peri jump alittle. Then in a quieter voice said. "But I loved hearing you sing better. I can tell you love this song. You sang in front of me haha!" Peri immediately blushed, and looked away, trying to hide her face.
"You really should break out of this shell Peridot, you could have so much going for you. But that's all I will say on this matter. Now I have to asked that question." Her voice lowered again and got more stern. "Where did you cut this time."
"I.. uh.. I didn't this time.." Peri looked up, seeing that Garnet wasn't fooled, and pulled down the shoulder of her hoodie, and turned so she could see. Garnet sighed, lightly touching over the cuts, her finger tips feeling every bump and scab from the wounds. She stayed quiet which in turn made Peri fidget and become uneasy. She knew that Garnet hated that she did this, and was afraid that today would be the day she was completely fed up with it.
"And it goes down how far?" Peri could tell that Garnet was pissed. "Um.. down my shoulder, up my forearm.. my thighs.. and my sides.."
Garnet looked up at Peri, a shocked look on her face. "All of those places..? Peri.. oh my God.." Peri heard the hint of hurt and disbelief in her voice, and she did her best to fight back the tears that were already forming. Garnet pulled back up her hoodie and stood pulling Peri up with her. She hugged Peri tightly, and she returned the hug by timidly wrapping her arms around Garnet best she could. "I won't tell you to stop, because you don't listen. But the next time this happens, you best as hell call me. Got it?" Garnet said, rubbing Peri's back.
"I.. hic.. I do.."
"Shh.. don-" A loud bell chime sounded across the courtyard, and all the students started to move to the entrance. "Wipe those tears Peri.. It's time to start the day." Peri did her best, dabbing at her eyes gently while Garnet cleaned her glasses for her. Together, they walked up the stairs leading to inside the school, Peri sticking very close to Garnet.