Death of the Perfect Girl

82- The Truth

Sadie opened her purse and handed it to Poppy. "That's my big brother."

Poppy looked at the picture. Tears filled her eyes and her jaw dropped. Flashes of memory shot across her mind. She remembered his pale face on her living room carpet. "He's...I'm so sorry," Poppy grabbed Sadies hand and squeezed it, dropping to her knees on the bleachers.

Sadie covered her mouth and began to weep. She turned away. "I've hated you for so long that...hearing that doesn't cut it. I just...I want my brother back and your sister gets to talk to you everyday. I want you to die, Poppy. I want her to suffer. I'm sorry."

Poppy shook her head. "It was self defense. Your brother was trying to steal from us-"

"No...He was trying to prank your sister. He was being stupid...and she shot him."

Poppy sat back down. "I'm sorry...," she stopped crying. "I wish I could fix it...but I can't. My sister hates herself for it and I get scared whenever I'm home alone...but you have it worse than I do. You're lonely."

Sadie held her breath.

"And you've chased everyone away to get revenge on me. Sadie," Poppy shrugged, "admit it. None of this is worth it. Trying to hurt me to get back at my sister isn't worth it."

Sadie sighed, wiping her cheeks. She turned Poppy and stared into her eyes. "You're such a beautiful person...and I wanted you to die not just because I wanted revenge on your sister...I see who I used to be in you. And I want to be that person again...But I've lost it. I've lost that spark because I've been so caught up in hate."

Poppy smiled holding Sadie's other hand. "Just acknowledging the fact that you want to change tells me that you can. Sadie, the world isn't running away from you. You're young and you've made mistakes. I know you can't change your mind right away. I know deep down you still hate my sister...and maybe even me. But...think about it. Give yourself sometime and think about it. Put down the phone, turn off Instagram and take a break from YouTube. Think about helping Sadie for a week...or maybe even a month. Don't do for me. Do it for yourself. Okay?"

Sadie nodded, pursuing her lips and beginning to cry again. "Can I have your number? I kinda deleted it."

"That's fine," Poppy giggled and took Sadie's phone. She put her number in Sadie's phone then handed it back to her.

"Thank you," Sadie wiped her cheek.

Poppy quickly wrapped her arms around her. Sadie wept and hugged her back. Poppy squeezed her. "You wouldn't believe how long I've dreamt of having you tell me why you hate me."

Sadie giggled. "Thank you, Poppy. For all of this."

Poppy looked at her. "Sure." Poppy suddenly squealed. "Noah's going to be so happy that you're changing. He saw it in you. He sees good in everyone." Poppy hugged Sadie one more time then she jogged down the bleachers.

Sadie titled her head and smiled at her then she buried her face in her knees and began to weep. "God...Universe...whatever's up there, I'm so...so sorry. I've hated...I shouldn't hate...Help me to learn not to hate. Help me to learn to forgive so that I can be a good person again. I want to make my father smile again. So, please."

Sadie sat up wiping her cheeks. She stood and took a deep breath then she took out her phone and started recording herself. "God, I'm such an ugly crier...and an ugly person," she wept. She stopped crying and took a deep breath finding composure. "I've done things," she stared at her phone,"...hurt people..and I'm sorry. I'm going to get better. I'm going to work on myself... I'm going to get help and get better. And I'm going to start loving again. I'm going to start treating people like I want them to treat me. Because like I've learned from Poppy...it pays off...I'm not perfect...and I will never be. But the best thing that I can do is strive to be better. I love you all...Bye."

She stopped recording and sighed. Then she smiled feeling much better. She looked at the sky then the football field. Her days were going to be much better.