The Letters that were marked with a heart

Letter 11 (Lea's Pov) (Self-harm trigger warning at the end)

(boxing class final one - Sonia 6th)

'Dear Sonia,
I know this will all seem odd to you but go to this address on the next lesson, 7 the jive Lane Bradvile. It is my best friends house and I know you will have heard by now but I know that Leona will have sent you this. And that you will be there. If the whole world stops for a moment when you see someone it means you have fallen in love with them. Sonia take the leap for me, please.
From Pandora xx'

So last night was amazing, I am nestled with Max and we both seem a little worse for wear by this point, he has a bruise on his chest and I have several from the stitches. But we lie there, eyes open for a while then I say 'You really are amazing you know that right?' His eyes flutter and he smiles. There is a knock at my door, and I remember that Sonia is coming today. My mum answers the door and Max rolls out followed by me. I change into a nice red dress it is flowy and I love it, Max giggles and tells me that he has the finishing touch. I close my eyes and he puts a rose clip in my hair it makes me look amazing. And I hug him. Then he is standing next to me in a leather jacket, a low cut blue marble effect vest and black jeans.

And I smile, then tug him down the stairs. At the door is this tall girl with purple wavy shoulder-length hair. And soft honey skin. From what I have heard from Pandora she is really kind. "Are you Lea? And Dodgem?" Sonia asks from the hallway. The door is shut and my mum is making breakfast. "Yes, we are, and you must be Sonia. I'm sorry we are meeting under these circumstances, but I am pleased to finally meet you." I smile at her. She smiles back, "I've heard a lot about you two, mostly stories though. Like when you all went dressed up for Halloween years ago and you two accidentally dressed as the monster from Frankenstein and his bride. Which I thought was mega-adorable by the way." She smiles more and her hands are moving as she talks and her hips are swaying to the beat of her heart she really is like an excited puppy. And it's really cute.

"So Sonia, where would you like to go?" Max asks her. And I remember why we are here and I feel unable to push that feeling down for a moment, so I squeeze his hand and he tucks me into a hug while Sonia answers. "I just want to walk around and talk to all of you really so how about we walk to the train station then go to Livings and walk around the town and I will buy you all lunch as my treat to all of you." I nod and text the group telling them to come for 9 again and to meet at the train station. By this point, our group is growing, but Dodge's friends and Kay's squad aren't coming today. So it is Simon, Josie, Oliver, Dodge, Sonia and I. We are all stood there waiting from the train to come by and I notice Mrs Issac approaching our group. "Hey, you are that poor girl's friends aren't you?" I nod quietly, "I am so sorry that this happened. I wish someone would have said something, but it is what it is. And you'll learn to talk to each other, don't keep it all in, because that is the worst thing you can do. If any of you ever want someone to talk to you know I am always here for you. And I mean always." I nod again, "Thank you, Mrs Issac, it's lovely to hear that." And we get on board the train.

I look at Sonia and she bites her lip, then blushes away from someone. But I don't quite notice who. Not at first anyway. She sits near the window and I sit next to her leaving Dodge and Oliver to sit opposite facing us and Josie and Simon to sit behind. "Did any of you know how she was feeling?" Sonia asks her gaze firmly focused out of the window and I can see she is nearly crying. "I did, towards the end I saw it more. I told her to try her hardest to stay, but she didn't make it." Sonia said, "My aunt died a year ago in a similar way, my mum said she just got drowned by her demons and saw no other way out. And that got me thinking is there a way out?" Tears are flowing down her cheeks now and I am hugging her sobbing frame into my shoulder tightly. "There is always away, it's not easy. Time is a great healer and all. We have each other to hold us up, and the best thing we can do is keep looking forward and not back at the blue oceans behind us. Think about the rays of sunshine and not the thunderstorms that are or have thundered over you. There is always hope, even if you can't see it right now. A rainbow in the rain, a flashlight in the dark, and we can always help you up if you need help. Let it out Sonia, don't hold back just let go. You'll feel better soon I promise." I look across at Dodge who mouths 'Well handle Lea bear'. I hug Sonia into me until it is time to exit the train. Then she wipes her tears away and I and Josie take her into the bathroom at the station to clear up her make-up and make her look stunning.