DAMAGED

chapter24 ☪

tiny author's note:

I know this is another update on the same day, but I was bored and I found the time to write .

haha, enjoy :-)

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Kassie's POV

I stared at my bags blankly, unsure of what to do to close them. I'd packed all my stuff as soon as Jarett told me without hesitation. He couldn't manage to take care of me anymore; he needed to be focused on Tuvi 24/7.

And as for me?

I don't know. I'm spending the night at Alex's. She's my neighbor -- the closest option I have until Jarett can find a suitable foster home.

At least now I won't have to go to an orphanage...

I unplugged my cell phone charger and threw it in a bag. I looked around at "my" room. It was completely emptied out of all valuables.

I wonder how other people have a room that they feel like its theirs, not like they're sleeping in someone else's.

The good news is that I don't have to go to an all-girls school anymore. I can just go to mine.

"Kassie?" I heard someone whisper in a very fragile tone.

I turned around just as she hugged me. "I don't want you to leave. This is my fault." Tuvi whimpered.

I hugged her back and kneeled down to talk to her. "Tuvi. You have to listen to me, okay?"

She nodded, tiny tears streaking down from her eyes.

"None of this is your fault. This was just meant to happen." I told her, trying to ignore the lump forming in my throat.

"Why does everything 'meant to happen' have to be so bad?" She asked in between sniffles.

"That's not true... Just like this happened, you're going to overcome it. You're a strong girl, Tuvi." I told her as she wrapped herself around me once more.

"Really?" She whispered, her eyes widening with hope.

"Yeah... I wish I had the strength you have." I laughed softly, feeling all kinds of feelings from seeing her getting high hopes. It's bittersweet, in a way. Hope is a pleasure that has the ability to deceive you.

"Yeah, but... Now I won't have the strength anymore." She explained, her eyes welling up again. "Strength isn't an independent element. Everyone's strength is being held by another person. Like, that's the person that causes you to have that strength... And that's you, Kassie. You're my strength...And now you're leaving."

I didn't even notice some tears streaming down my cheeks. "T-That's not true, Tuvi. Strength comes from love. No matter where I am, you know I love you. I-I'll always love you."

She was crying. "But what did I do? Why is this happening?"

Because life's not fair, I thought, but I couldn't tell that to a 9-year-old girl.

"It's just...a surprise test." I said, trying to avoid crying.

"Like a pop quiz?" She whispered, looking at me with somber, yet interested eyes.

"Yes. Like a pop quiz. And you know how you pass that test?"

"How?" She asked.

"By keeping the faith."

She looked at me in confusion. "How can I do that?"

I stood up and sat on the bed. "Smile." I told her, trying to do it myself. "Be happy no matter what. This will all be over before you know it. Think of the future - of what you want to do when you grow up. Think of all the amazing things you'll accomplish."