Hopeless Place

Chapter 6

"You weren't lying about the scenery." Valentina looked at the beautiful blue sky above their heads. The two girls were laying on their backs on the rooftop of the main building.

"I never lie, obviously." Juliana took a deep breath, knowing that she owed it to the girl next to her to open up, to explain why she was there, what had happened. "Okay, so as promised my story."

Valentina waited for the other girl to continue but a silence had fallen between them. A cloud passed by over their heads while the only thing they could hear was each other's breathing. It was calming yet nerve wrecking. She had her gaze fixed on Juliana, seeing how her chest moved up and down. The wind blew a lock of her hair into her face. At the sight a small smile formed on Valentina's.

It was nearly impossible to imagine that something was wrong with the girl. The way she sat there, calm and beautiful. Nothing in her appearance would give away that deep down she was suffering. Always so calm and collected, as if she had control over everything that happened around her.

"I don't really know where to start." Juliana finally spoke again.

"Maybe at the beginning? Or wherever you feel most comfortable to start."

"Well maybe I should start by warning you, it's not a nice story." She took another deep breath and noticed that her hand was shaking. "So, I told you about my father before right? Well, he left me and my mother when I was just a kid. And then ten years later he showed up on our doorstep. I had just turned 16. I remember opening the door and I didn't even recognize him. My mom was thrilled he was back and she'd do anything for him. At first everything was okay but the longer he was back to more violent he became, he'd hit us and then leave us for hours to just come back and he'd expect us to apologize. One day I came home and he was threatening my mom, he was hitting her, hurting her and I had enough. I couldn't take it anymore. I hit him, I don't remember with what exactly, it's all a blur. But I hit him and he fell, there was blood everywhere and... Me and my mom ran away, as fast as we could. I just couldn't shake the memory, I couldn't sleep and I became paranoid. I met this guy and he said he could help me. Turns out he wasn't much of a help. One problem just got replaced with another."

The silence returned. Valentina was staring with her mouth agape. She didn't fully understand, it felt like the story wasn't finished. But if this was how Juliana wanted to leave it then she was fine with it. Despite the emotional story Juliana seemed just as calm as before she started. Valentina didn't notice the soft shaking of the girl's hands because she was too focused on the girl's eyes.

"Hello, I'm Juliana and I'm a drug addict." It was the first time she actually said it out loud. "Although I have been clean for nearly 3 months so I don't know how addicted I still am." She added.

Valentina turned towards Juliana and stroked away a lock of hair. "Thank you for sharing that with me. Thank you for everything, thank you for helping me, thank you for being here for me, thank you for talking to me. Thank you for existing, really. I don't know how to survive this place without you."

"Well, this place isn't the worst, you know."

"Clearly." Valentina replied while not taking her eyes off the other girl. It was in that exact moment that the first drop fell from the beautiful sky above them. Neither of them had noticed the massive gray cloud crawling towards them. In fact even that first drop went unnoticed. The two girls were to caught up in the other's presence.

When a cold raindrop fell into Valentina's neck she finally noticed. Juliana had to laugh at the startled expression on the girl's face.

"Do you wanna go back inside?" She asked in the midst of her laughter. It was the most pleasant sound Valentina had ever heard. She wanted to record it so she could listen to it on repeat. She didn't mind making a fool of herself if it caused that sound. In fact she was already thinking of more ways to get the girl to laugh again even if she hadn't fully stopped yet.