Toxic

Friendships

Cole's POV
I was talking to Jenna about Riley in a private corner of the school and we agreed on the fact that she needs to talk to someone who can help her. "Jenna I'm really worried about her" I said. She replied with "I know Cole I am too and we need her to talk". I sighed. It was painful to see her like this. Just then Riley came around the corner and was walking towards us. "I'm gonna leave. Talk to her. Please" she said. I couldn't let Jenna down. I especially couldn't let Riley down. I had to help her. "Hey Mr. Perfect! How are things with your love, Jenna?" she said. She is still on that. I had to get to the point and fast. "So Riley, can we talk for a second?"I asked. She looked at me confused then smirked. "I'm not interested in dating you Lil bo peep if that's what you're gonna ask. You couldn't handle me." She said. I chuckled. "No I wasn't gonna ask you out Riles. Just listen." I said. She nodded and I put my hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "Riley... you need to talk to me. Please. I can tell that something is going on and I need to know so I can help you with whatever it is." I said. Her big cheerful smile faded. Her eyes dropped to the floor and she said "there's nothing wrong with me. I'm fine". She tried convincing. "Riley. Look at me." I said softly. She looked into my eyes. "I can't do anything to help you if I don't know what is going on". She looked back at the floor. "There's nothing wrong I just..." she couldn't even finish a sentence. "Riley I'm your friend and I want to be there for you and it hurts to see you like this. I want to... no I need to help!" I pleaded. Her eyes began to tear up. "I.. I....." she began to cry and collapse but I grabbed her as she started to drop to the floor. I sat down with her still in my arms and she just continued to cry. I stroked her hair as she lied between my legs "you can talk to me" I reassured her. She whimpered softly, then nodded. Ive never seen her so broken. She then buried her face in my chest. I lifted her chin up so she can look at me. She looked defeated. I didn't like it. She looked empty inside. Riley then spoke "I don't feel like I'm Riley anymore whoever this is that I am I don't like them. I mean why am I so annoying and happy all the time. Why am I like the way I am. I'm crazy and wild and no one can love me not even myself. I-I just..." she paused for a second and spoke again "hate me" my world broke for a second. I've known this girl forever and she was always so happy she was the girl that lit everyone's world just by smiling her perfect smile that I love so much. This girl is so confident too, I'm honestly really shocked by this. I whispered in her ear quietly and tenderly. "Why do you hate yourself Riles?" she shivered at the feeling of my breath against her ear. " I- I Just don't like anything about myself I don't like how I look and honestly sometimes I won't even go out cuz of my looks like I don't look like other girls and I hate my personality I'm extra, loud obnoxious sometimes mean and I hate my smile and someone like me doesn't deserve life." I then grabbed her and placed her on my lap. I kissed her cheek and she lightly smiled. "Your smile is the most beautiful and brightest thing I've ever laid my eyes on. Where did you get these ideas from?" I asked. "I used to love myself but honestly Jay has been getting in my head he tells me everything that's wrong about me and I'm starting to believe it and I feel so stupid Cuz I actually liked him for some reason and he's just so ruthless and he makes me feel so bad about myself and I didn't wanna tell anyone cuz I was so embarrassed. I'm Riley I'm supposed to be the strong ray of sunshine." My heart broke. I knew he was being mean and disrespectful but I didn't know she thought like this. I was mad at myself for overestimating how much she can take. I felt partly responsible. I was really really furious at jay for making my friend feel like this. "You don't have to be embarrassed with me, it's me, your Mickey Mouse I'll always be here for you." I said. "Promise?" she asked quietly " I promise" I reassured. She then said " Cole I have something to show you but you're gonna get mad" "just show me" I said looking at her worryingly. What she did next broke me completely. This is a sight I've never wanted to see especially from her. She grabbed her arm and pulled up her sleeve to reveal cuts on her skin. "Riley" I whispered quietly "I'm sorry" she said " you need to stop this Riles I don't like seeing you doing this to yourself. You could seriously end up hurting yourself." she gulped and digged her head in my neck. I can feel her lips trembling against my neck and I can feel tears running down her cheeks "I love you Cole" she said "and I love you" I replied I lifted her head up and wiped her tears I then kissed her forehead and stroked her back in an attempt to comfort her. "Everything's gonna be all right imma solve everything" I told her.
"Really" she said looking in my eyes hope evident.
"Yes really" I said. she then kissed me on the cheek then stood up "you know Cole your a great guy any girl would be so lucky to have you including Jenna" she said I stood up with her then she started to walk away "wait" I called out
"What?" She said " Wanna go get milkshakes or something? we can go get a snickers milkshake I know it's your favorite. I'll even pay." I said. she turned around. " Sure let's go" she said
We then walked out of school doors her slightly behind me hiding and clinging on to me. It was also winter so she was shivering even though she had long sleeves and a jacket.

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