Last conversation with Louisa

chapter 6

'' I know, it would take while to get used to it, but I'll pick up fine'' Loiusa assured her.

Stella shook hear head, this could not be happening, this is a very bad dream and she needs to wake up. She began to hyperventilate.

'' Stella you have to help me do this.'' Louisa paused in front of Stella and took her hand.
'' If it means telling lies to your mother and brother, I can't.'' Stella released herself from her friend's grip.

''Yes you can, not for them, but for me.''
'' How do I know it's for your own good, what if something happens to you, I can't live with that.''
Tears filled Stella's eyes as she imagined so many things that could go wrong. Like getting lost, being attacked, robbed, raped.

'' Do you trust me?'' Louisa asked. It took a while before Stella nodded.
'' Then you are going to do this for me, and I trust that you would do it right''

Stella just stood, she didn't move,she just watched Loiusa analyze the whole plan in front of her.

'' First, they would think I went to school, I'll leave the house with only the needed clothes, mother and Mario will be in their rooms and I would tap on their doors and tell them I was going to school, they won't suspect anything, but when they do, it would be night time,mother would obviously call Aunt Mirabel and she would come to you, and ask you, you would tell them you thought I went to work. You would remind them that I won't miss much since its revision week, when she ask more questions, answer them partly, tell them part of the story, buy more time for me, they would think its suicide because of the knife and a little blood from my hand. It would act as a diversion , but no body will be found. They might consider it kidnapping, but there would be no caller, then it might probably take them a week or two at most before they find out that I actually ran away. Since you are my only friend, and also the last outsider to talk to me .Aunt Mirabel would guess you know where I am, and she would come to you. And you are going to tell her with all sincerity-''

For the first time, Stella could look Mirabel in the eyes without blinking or shaking.

'' I'm her friend, a very good one. And as friends we have to tell ourselves everything, but we all have our secrets, I do and I know Louisa does. And if she planned to run away, she didn't tell me and I didn't ask, because I didn't imagine it as possible.'' Stella shifted in her seat.'' So I don't know where she is, I'm sorry.''

Mirabel smiled , but in her eyes there was pain. It had stopped raining and everywhere was cool. It was already getting dark.

'' I don't know why she did it, but I know Loiusa and i know she has a good reason. '' Mirabel said before rising to leave.
'' Thank you again Stella, you helped well.''
Stella sat by the table and watched her mother walk Mirabel out. She stood by the window and watch her mother speak to Mirabel who dabbed her handkerchief on her eyes. She was crying.

''I love you''
They hugged for the last time, she could not believe it, she won't see her best friend ever again. At school They won't walk through the hallway holding hands, they won't eat at the same table, they won't experiment together in the lab anymore, there would be no one to make her leave her house again.

'' Just promise you would write to me.''
Stella asked.
Loiusa only smiled and a tear ran down her face. They pulled from each other and she wiped her face with her hand.

'' Just take care of yourself and make your parents proud, and most importantly make yourself happy.''

Stella closed Louisa's room door behind her and walked through the hallway into the living room. She saw fidelia with a very fat man with pot belly laughing with each other.

''I'm leaving ma.'' She tried her best to keep her voice from shaking, but fidelia wasn't paying attention.

''Alright dear.''

She walked out of the living room and saw Mario leaning on the swing and smoking, he looked like he was deep in thought and she felt so much pity for him now.
'' Goodnight Mario.''
He shifted a little but he didn't answer she knew he was surprised.

Things are going to change, she knew it and she hoped it would change for the better.

Epilogue next-