Stripped to the Heart

Chapter 22 - We need to talk

I sat up in bed and anticipated the conversation, it could go many different ways. It could be about my brother, it could be about my past, it could be about school. Which I haven't attended in weeks, which means I will probably have a social worker inquire about me soon. "I just don't understand why you didn't tell me, I would have been there for you." she broke the spell of my thoughts and I was grateful, but I still had no idea what she was talking about.

"What are we talking about?" I asked while rubbing my eyes, until I felt a finger poke my eye "Ow!" I looked over to see Joy rolling around laughing before showing me her phone. "What is it?" I asked, scared to look. I did though and when I did I almost fainted when I saw it was a youtube video with over 2 million views, showing me being poked in the eye. "How has that gone viral, you only poked me 10 seconds ago!" I wanted some sort of an explanation.

I didn't get one, but it stopped the conversation. Even if it was only for a little while, until Joy realised again and began poking questions at me. "Who is Jack? Why do they call him your brother? What did he do to you? Was he the one who helped kill Mia? Did you really go to boarding school before you came to Triggledon High School? Am I really a friend to you?" The questions were becoming worse and worse, more pointed and more accusing.

I let out a sigh before speaking, "Look, Joy you are one of my best friends ever and I am just trying to protect you because if I tell you then you will hate me. There is no way you would ever want to look at me again. As I tell you more and more it would become worse, I know you want the best for me so please don't ask again." I said it with finality, hoping she would drop it but she didn't.

"Can you please tell me, I promise not to tell or abandon you." She was pleading and I sighed again before rolling over, content with ignoring her. I don't give up easily, she will have to prove she is worthy. "How about tomorrow I take you shopping and we can make you look more beautiful than normal?" I said to her, hoping she would take the bait and say yes. "Yeah, okay" was her reply and I internally felt my butterflies flutter.

I was going to tell someone about my past, I mean actually tell someone. I told Josh and he left me, not because of that stunt but because he knew about me, about my past and everything. He promised not to tell, at least until I left for college, and was accepted. But I was worried about Joy, she was a bit of a gossiper. Although I don't think she deserves to be in the dark anymore, tomorrow I will tell her.