The Dragon I Met At High School

Chapter 16

I thought for a minute... Dammit I knew it. "I LOVE HIM!!!"

Why didn't I realize any sooner? I turned in place to face the opposite direction.

I smiled to myself. The smiles he's brought to my face, the warm safe feeling he's given to me countless times, the blushes, the hugs, the dreams I've had... I blushed, chuckling to myself. "I love him." I whispered. "I really love him."

"ARREIS, YOUR MOM!!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

All feelings jumped from the height of my heart, plummeting down to its death on the asphalt beneath my feet and it hit hard. The only thing I was right then was mad, boy did I hate it.

I slowly turn back around with an amount of pure anger that even surprised myself. "Mom's gone." I said in a low growl. "What? Did you say..." I cut her off.

"Mom's dead...! I'm going to be with L because he's the only person I care about now!" I scream not wanting a response back.

I heard the sound of wolves growling nearby. "FINE!" She snarled. I looked around to see if I could spot any wolves. But when I focused back on her... she was gone. I decided to leave before wolves got to me again. That didn't feel good the first time, I'm sure it wouldn't feel any better this time.

I turned at the park and entered the tree line without hesitation. It really doesn't bother me nearly as much as it use to. It was actually starting to feel normal.

You would think that walking into the woods at night filled with animals that could shred me to pieces, as has happened before, would scare me but no. It's like an everyday walk from home... except this time, I won't be going back.

I sighed. "What am I gonna tell him?" I thought aloud. "Should I even tell him at all?" I took a few lefts and rights along the path.

I stopped and looked up at the stars and tried to smile. My lips slowly started to curve upward but as I tried, my bottom lip began to quiver and my legs began to shake. The stars twinkled as if to smile back and I broke.

I drop to hands and knees and screamed. I screamed and cried for hours until my eyes told me it was enough and my throat told me it was too weak to last any longer.

I sat down on my knees and looked back up at the night sky. I felt tired and weak. How could this happen? Why wasn't I there? I should've been there sooner. I shouldn't went back to sleep. I should've gone the first chance I had. She'd still be alive. This is all my fault.

"I'm sorry momma... I let you down." I wiped eyes and stood. I have to get back to L. I don't want to let him down too.

It was dark but I could still see where I was going. I could see him waiting at the entrance of his cave with his legs crossed. He jumped up and ran to me. "ARREIS YOU'RE.... back." He slowed to a stop in front of me. "Arreis, what happened?" He stared me down as if trying to read me. But I couldn't think.

"She's dead." Was all I could say. "W-what? Who's dead?" L asked. I looked him in the eyes and my eyes began to water again. "Momma...killed herself right in front of me." I bit my lip and tried not to cry again... Not in front of L. I won't cry on front of him. I won't do it.

L grabbed me and pulled me closer. I buried my face into his chest and tried to calm myself. I can't cry, I can't be weak. "Arreis... It's going to be okay. I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you." With that I broke again.

I wanted to be strong but... those words, those words are what I've been longing to hear my entire life. I couldn't contain anything I felt anymore, it all just... spilled out. But this time, for the first time, someone was there with me to help me through it and I wouldn't want it to be anyone else.

After my emotion overflow subsided, I looked at L as he wiped the tears from my eyes. "Hey L?" I asked. He smiled. "Does it hurt?"

L cocked his head to the side in confusion. "You can read my mind and you can see what I think right...? Well does it hurt you?"

He was shocked. He looked around to make sure no one was following then lead me back into the cave and sat me down on the bed.

"How do you know that Arreis?" He asked with seriousness surrounding his words.

"I asked you first and I'm not giving this up until I start getting answers." L sighed at that and sat on the floor in front of me. "What are you trying to do?" He asked a little scared.

"Does...It...hurt." "No." He answered as soon as I finished my sentence. "Now what are you trying to do?"

My eyes began to water. "I want you to see it." His eyes softened. "Arreis, no I..." I cut him off. "Please... I can't do this alone. I need you to see it."

He moved from the floor to right beside me on the bed. "Arreis are you sure about this?" He asked worriedly. I nodded. He put his hand out and I took mine in his.

I watched as he closed his eyes and read what I kept replaying in my head. I hated seeing it all again but I loved that I could finally tell someone about something that went on at home and I'm glad that it's him of all people.