Her Secret Garden

Chapter 2

“So, your name’s Lilibeth?” Blaine asked. “That’s a very beautiful name you have there Lilibeth.”

“Thanks,” Lilibeth said shyly. “I like your name too.”

“Well I’m glad to hear it,” Blaine said with a smile. “So, what brings you to this lonely part of the school?”

“Well …” Lilibeth started. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell him about herself, but she felt safe around him, comfortable even. She told him that she liked it because it was peaceful. She said there weren’t many people that came through the area and that she liked the quiet. Before she knew it she started telling him about the people that made fun of her, of Victoria and her friends. She didn’t know why she was telling him all this, but Blaine was such a good listener that she didn’t mind it. He was so open and accepting about it. She even told him about what happened to her mother. By the end of her story he was nodding with understanding.

“I find it so terrible that we live in a world where a person would exploit another’s weakness just to make them feel better about themselves,” Blaine said. “But just because we live in such a world, doesn’t mean we can’t make a positive difference in someone else’s life. Sure, words can be used to tear down, but they can also be used to build up.”

“I’ve never experienced that,” Lilibeth said. “Not for a long time anyway.”

After a moment of silence, Blaine said, “Well I think it’s about time you got encouraged Lilibeth.”

“How do you suppose you're going to do that Blaine?”

“First, Miss Lilibeth Fey, I start with how beautiful you are, with your stormy eyes that makes a person feel drawn in. Then I move on to your smile, one that could melt even a heart of stone. Then your perfect body, that needs neither to gain nor lose weight, your hair, wavy like an ocean, but more graceful. But that’s not where I stop. Oh no, there’s still more to be said. You see, you aren’t just beautiful on the outside, I see beauty on the inside. You're kind, caring; you don’t judge someone on their appearance. You are wonderful in every way, you just don’t see it.

With the words Blaine was saying, Lilibeth started crying, but this time they were not tears of sadness. They were tears of joy. Nobody, outside of her aunt and uncle, had ever said anything about her being beautiful. The only thing she heard was that she was worthless, but now there was somebody telling her she was worth something.

“Thank you,” Lilibeth said with a shaky voice. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much those words mean to me.”

“I’m glad I could bring a smile to your face,” Blaine said, grinning. “It looks better on you that way.”

They sat in silence for a while, not entirely sure what to talk about, but Lilibeth felt content. The bell rang for the next class, but Lilibeth was not ready to leave. She was hesitant.

“So,” Blaine said, “see you tomorrow?”