Origami | YA LGBT

Damage Control

Helen P.O.V.

My eyes were turning red after being hours sitting on my bedroom's desk, in front of my laptop. Editing was ready but I wasn't. I mean, I had been waiting to expose Pamela for a long time. However, this didn't feel right. At least not after what happened at her beach house a week or so before. We were all still healing but glad we're surrounded by the ones we love most. Even Liam's trying really hard to leave all Mark related behind, despite I knew he's still spending some of his afternoons crying alone in his bedroom, listening to every single Taylor Swift ballad as the drama queen we know he is. Spotify told me that.

Regarding Thomas, I was doing my best to face my ghosts. I finally pressed charges as soon as I arrived and got a restriction order, in case he was still thinking on appearing once again in my life. I hoped that would help other girls and potential victims as well, to be aware and know the person he really is. At first I thought it was a sign of weakness to take the case to the police but now I felt more empowered than ever. I learned we women should raise our voice against the male privilege that make some guys think they are above us in every single aspect.

However, there's people like Pamela Reed, who use that same privilege in her favor. A reckless human being, who's never satisfied and needs to destroy every single soul to feel better with herself. If she only knew her cruel acts only expose her biggest insecurities. As Liam said, she's just going to end up being a lonely sociopath.

So, I wondered: Was I the one to expose her? Did I want to attack other women? Was I the one to bring all the judgmental eyes on her? What would I win if I let her suffer? Would all of us feel better with her pain?

Too much questions, not many answers.

'Are you okay?' Harold, who was laying on my bed, stood right behind me and wrapped me in his arms 'Who needs a pug hug?'

'You do read my mind, Puggy.' I replied as I closed my eyes to enjoy this moment.

Who would ever thought I was about to find caring, non-toxic love? We both knew each other as this messy, troubled kids. However, we could trespass all those layers and mutually help to let our true colors come out. Harold became this tender, thoughtful boyfriend and I was totally into him. Even if he hated to admit it, he's one of the sweetest guys I have ever dated. I would never imagined he is related to this Pamela monster he calls his cousin.

'Did you get cool footage?'

'Yeah, you were great! Thank you for doing this for me.' I softly kissed Harold on his lips and stared at him 'Now I finally finished editing, I'm having second thoughts. I don't think we're doing any good by posting this.'

'You know I support you no matter what. One way or another, Pamela's crazy as fuck. You know how hard it was for me to get into my grandma's Malibu house and take our luggage and Liam's back. To watch that pathetic scene in which Mark, his mother and her were having dinner as a happy family. He's such a fool.' Harold sounded more sad than pissed. And I got it. He's his friend after all.

'Do you have any news on Mark?' I had to ask.

'Nope. His cellphone is not working. According to his father, he's apparently driving back home but strangely, on his own. Both Pamela and his mother took a flight here a few days ago.' He explained.

'Maybe it was too much time on the road for them to handle.' I guessed while shrugging.

'Sure. However, one way or another, his father also told me Mark should be arriving tonight. I'm about to go to his house and check on the dumbass. I'll try to talk about what happened. What do you think?'

'Sounds like what a great friend would do.' I smiled to my boyfriend. 'I was thinking on visiting Liam as well. You know, maybe he's needing a friend right now. Despite he's constantly avoiding the matter.'