The Perks of Being a Freak (Editing)

104. Final Goodbye

“My name is Simon. Lia Davis was the first person who I ever loved. Our story was not a happy one. Instead, we battled lies, and secrets, and tears. But Lia was strong. Despite the fear and the uncertainty and the betrayal she faced on a daily basis, Lia always tried to smile. Never for herself, but for the people around her. The people who weren’t as strong. She suffered through loss after loss and still found strength within herself to fight. She saved us all when that robotic creature attacked Boston in the spring. Lia saved thousands of lives, at the cost of her own.

“I can’t talk anymore about her sacrifice, because it hurts me. It hurts me that this amazing, beautiful, brave girl only got seventeen years when she should have gotten so many more. And now I'm crying. Wonderful. 

“Maybe this will make me cry more, but I'm glad that Lia is dead. I'm glad that she can go off to whatever better place awaits her because she was too good for us. She never acted like it or thought it, but Lia was too good for all of us, and no one ever acknowledged it. I'm glad that she can move on, and that she can be with the man she loves. We never deserved to have an angel live among us.

“I always thought that Lia didn't deserve love, she didn’t deserve anybody. I used to think she was a stuck-up, pompous brat. We would fight all the time. I hurt her. On purpose. I was a terrible person.

“But Lia was kind enough to see past that. And then I realized that it was me who didn't deserve Lia. Yet, for some reason, she loved me. And I loved her.

“I'm sorry that Lia had to die, but I'm glad now that she’s in a better place, a place where they deserve her and appreciate her. I hope to see Lia someday, in a long time. I pray that she’ll wait for me.

“As for the other freaks, I'm sorry. I know that it isn't fair. None of this is fair. Why did she have to die while we all lived? Why is it that Lia is gone and we're still here?

“I can't answer these questions. I wish that I could. I want the answers too. And... God I want her back. I want her back so much.

“But we can't get her back. Lia is gone. Life isn't fair. This life, however, is all we get. And if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have it.

“So no, I'm not here to mourn my dead love. I’ve had months in a hospital bed recovering from a fractured spine to do that. I'm not really here to say goodbye, either. 

“I want to thank you, Lia. Thank you for showing me what love is really like. Thank you for giving me a chance. Thank you for loving with all of your heart and thank you for the life you gave me. 

“Kiss the stars one last time, Jewel. You’ve earned your rest.”