I'll Sing For Me

21.

I stayed at my aunt's for the weekend. We stayed up late Friday night, talking, gossiping about the kids at my school and she acted like a seventeen year old with me. We ate pizza and watched movies. I loved it.

On Saturday, after revealing to her the night before about wanting to change my appearance, she took me to a tattoist. I was shocked, stating I didn't want a tattoo and then she laughed.

After her giggle, she told me that we were getting piercings and I felt really bad, making her spend her money on me.

"Nonsense. I have money. That hairstyle suits you. You need a few new accessories to go with it."

Cool aunt.

After our trip to the tattoo parlour, the one I learnt was also a piercer, we shopped and had fast food for lunch. I loved spending time with Melanie and I was feeling relaxed and normal again.

On Sunday, however, we had another serious talk. It was about whether or not on me staying with her, how I should finish high school, make amends with my best friends.

"I don't want you to feel obligated that you have to stay here because I spent money on you." Melanie told me.

I did feel that way.

"I live a bit far from your school and attending it is important."

"I know."

"Honestly, I think you should go back to your friends place. I'll drive you over, have a chat with her mum. But whenever you need me, ring. I'll come straight away."

I nodded and smiled, feeling tears in my eyes. Happy tears. I'm Melanie's only niece. I have no cousins.

"But, what if I apologise and Steph hates me? I understand I was wrong and she does care, but..."

Melanie gave me a small smile. "If she is a true friend, she will understand. Oh, before we leave, I have a present for you." Melanie smiled wider as she went to a bag on the bench and took out a small box.

I felt more tears coming forward when I saw what it was. "Aunty Melanie, you didn't have to." I sobbed out. Melanie gave me the box.

"Nonsense. How else is my favourite niece going to contact me?"

I wanted to sob, full on cry. Hugging Melanie again, I thanked her.

"Okay, enough before I start crying. Get your stuff together and I'll take you back to your friends."

I nodded, wiping my eyes and left, gathering my school back, all the stuff Melanie bought me. I didn't realise how much till I put it all together. My ears hurt from yesterday's piercing session but so did my lip. In total, I got a couple piercings in my right ear, up the top, one in my left ear in the middle of the edge and one just above my lip the left. I wanted to touch them but I knew not to.

Getting in to Melanie's car, I gave her directions to Ally's house.

I was conflicted, I didn't know whether I wanted Ally to be at work or not but as we got closer to the house, I saw her car out the front.

Taking a deep breathe, I pointed to the house and Melanie pulled in to the driveway.

I hesitantly got out off the car, swinging my school bag on my back. "What if..." I started to my aunt when the door opened and Steph raced out.

"Oh my goodness! Elizabeth! I was so worried." Upon those words, I felt so guilty for yelling at her on Friday.

I wrapped my arms around my best friend. "I'm sorry." I cried out to her.

Steph hugged me back, squeezing me. "It's okay. I'm sorry too." Was her watery apology. We pulled apart and I introduced Steph to Melanie. We went inside and found Ally and Steph and I left Ally and Melanie to talk.

We caught up about what we did over the weekend as Steph asked about my piercings and I showed her. "Do they hurt?" She asked me softly, fascinated by them. She only had one set of piercings, in her ears.

"A little right now."

"Beth. I'm sorry. I'm worried-"

I cut Stephanie off, raising my hand, telling her to stop as we sat on her bedroom floor. "Don't, Steph. You don't need to apologise. I know why you did it and I understand." I could see the questions on her face and smiled at her. "It's okay. I understand. I'm not going to snap. Oh, I'll be back." I jumped up and ran to my bag, digging out my new phone and running back to Steph's room.

Steph helped me setup my new phone, personalizing it to my liking and added some numbers in there as well. We took selfies, downloaded apps and we were back to as we were. I couldn't be more happier.

Melanie knocked on the door and called my attention, wanting a word with me.

"You look happy." She beamed down at me. I nodded enthusiastically at her. "Ally tells me that you and Steph are going to the coast next weekend.

"Oh, I forgot about that."

"Well, I hope you have a great time. I really do. But, please, no drugs. If there is alcohol, please be sensible."

I agreed immediately with her. There is no possible way I will be taking the same path as my parents.

Melanie took a deep breathe and exhaled. "Protection." She stated. "If you must have sex, safe sex."

I flushed with embarrassment. "Aunty Mel!" I hissed lowly.

"What? I'm covering all the basics."

"Even if I wanted to do that, willingly, there is no one out there that will want me." I whispered, ashamed of myself.

That left Melanie shocked. "Why ever not, Bethie?"

"Because, I'm damaged goods. Nobody wants something that's broken."

Melanie hugged me tightly. "You're not damaged goods. You are definitely not broken." She told me, her lips right next to my ear. Her comforting words created tears in me. "You are amazing, gorgeous and a very lovely and kind person. When you find that someone special, they will be thanking their stars they have you by their side."