Drowning

Chapter 1 - How It All Began

(A/N: WARNING - THIS STORY CONTAINS SELF HARM AND TOPICS THAT MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME PEOPLE. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO TOPICS OF DEPRESSION, SUICIDE, ANXIETY, ABUSE, BULLYING, ETC. PLEASE NOTE THAT ONE OR MORE OF THESE WILL BE PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE STORY. PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO THESE TOPICS OR IF YOU FEEL THAT IT ISN'T SOMETHING YOU CAN HANDLE, PLEASE DO NOT RISK YOUR OWN WELL BEING BY READING THIS STORY. THIS IS THE ONLY TRIGGER WARNING SO PLEASE TAKE CAUTION WHEN READING.)

Skye's P.O.V

I sighed and began to walk 'home'. I had been avoiding it for hours but it was pitch black out now so there wasn't much choice that I had. While walking I realized that in order to get to the house I had to pass through a dark alleyway. I pulled out my pocket knife, blade out, ready for anything. I had gotten used to preparing for dangerous situations. As I walked I heard footsteps start up behind me, however, before I could react I felt a sharp pain in the lower, right area of my stomach. I instantly knew it was a knife as my attacker dragged it up. Out of pure instinct I spun around and slashed at whoever was behind me. I clenched my wound in agony and fought the urge to scream. The hooded figure fell to the ground and within moments his chest stopped moving. I kicked his knife away from him and checked his pulse to make sure he was dead.... he was. I had slit his throat -- although I had only meant to get his shoulder or chest -- and there was nothing I could do to help him. I staggered to the nearest police station and informed them of what happened. I was told I wouldn't be held accountable since it was self defense and I hadn't meant to kill him. The policeman brought me to a hospital where I was given stitches and then brought to the house. Luckily, the old man was asleep when I arrived. I quietly closed the door behind me and locked it. There was dinner on the table for me but, as usual, I didn't eat it.

I laid on 'my bed' and tried to sleep but I kept thinking about the rumors and shit people say. That didn't really bother me so much. What did get to me were the memories that swirled in my head about everything Father and Ray used to do, about when mom died, when Star died. I sighed and walked to 'my desk', opening the draw, and pulling out my memory book. My memory book was very special and personal to me. It was an overly large sketch book (2,000 pages I believe) that I used to record events in my life. Just by looking through it, a person would know my entire life. All the things I've faced, felt, thought, done, seen. Everything that has been a part of my life's story. I added the events of today and what I planned to do once done, carefully adding every detail to my art. Once done I let out a long, heavy sigh and placed the book back. I then pulled out my razor blade, my only sense of relief, and pressed the cold blade gently to my scarred skin. I began to press down on the blade, slowly with more force until the beautiful and familiar red liquid showed itself once more. I began to drag the blade across my flesh as the blood formed beads along the lines. I repeated this over and over until I was satisfied. I looked at the clock and went to bed.

>>>>>time skip to wake up time<<<<<<

I opened my eyes and glared at the alarm clock going off in front of me. As I went to stand I nearly fell to the floor. I clutched my stomach and slowly walked over to my dresser to shut my alarm. Once it was shut I began to prepare for school. I walked downstairs and growled in frustration to see the old man left without me. I began walking and cursing the damned bastard in my head while doing so. After an hour of walking I heard people for the first time all morning.

"Come on Haru or we'll be late!!" a boy yelled to his friend

I rolled my eyes and scoffed at the boy. He didn't notice me and I intended to keep it like that. That was until he ran into my back, causing me to fall onto my forearms. I sucked in air through my teeth as the fabric of my shirt rubbed against the freshly made cuts of last night.

"I'm so sorry! Are you okay miss?" he panicked and offered me a hand

Normally I would have smacked his hand away but I was a bit weak from skipping meals for the past few days and the pain from the wound on my stomach made it that much harder to get up on my own. I simply rolled my eyes and muttered curses to myself. "I'm fine" I huffed as I took his hand, never looking him in the eyes

"Aren't you the principal's adoptive daughter?" his friend asked while walking up to us nonchalantly

I rolled my eyes at his question and let out a tch "That old man can think what he wants but he'll never be my father."

"Why don't you walk with us." the original boy asked "I mean we're all in the same class after all. I'm-"

"I'm well aware of who you are Tachibana-san. You as well Nanase-san." I interrupted

He let out a nervous laugh "Well don't be formal about it. Call me Makoto." he smiled

"I'm Haruka but just call me Haru." Nanase said

"Why? It's not like we'll be acquainting with each other." I said in a monotonous voice

"Well why not?" Tachibana asked

"People never want to acquaint with me so why would you want to?" I said simply, using the same voice

"Because you seem nice." he said

I started walking again and they followed "With all that's said about me, you really think that?"

"Those are just rumors. Lies told by people who are jealous or feel threatened. You shouldn't pay mind to them." Makoto said

The walk to school was bearable. The three of us talked and, with much pestering, the two of them convinced me to drop the formality. When we arrived at school everyone was whispering and staring at me. Some would point and others would run as soon as I got near them.

"What the hell is up with everyone?" I asked Makoto and Haru

They simply shrugged, unaware themselves. We got to class and everyone tensed up. Today was a test day so as usual I'd finish within the first ten minutes and have the class to myself. I walked up to Miss Amakata and handed her my test.

"I'm taking a walk." I said in my infamous monotone