"I used a fake name because so many people in Italy used me for the money my dad had. I had everything, I still do, and other people also wanted that. And she moved countries because she never wanted to cross my path again, and be reminded of what happened in her childhood. I know this much, because we had this thing that I would say to her if someone was making her uncomfortable, because of her childhood. And she sent me a letter, saying "I'm leaving, to get away from you, and tristitia." It's a Latin word, that simply means sadness, but it was like her safe word. If anyone was saying something that brought up bad memories, she'd say that, and I'd get them to shut up, and I'd help her get over them. She used to have panic attacks when she remembered, and this was our way of avoiding them." Jack said, and he wiped the tears from his eyes. "When you next get a chance to speak to her, in person, simply say 'tristitia'. It's clear she trusts you, and she'll tell you. And then hopefully you'll believe me, and you might repeat what I've said to you, to her. And you don't believe me, there is nothing more I can give, and just tell her that I am sorry." Jack finished, and got into his car, and left. But what Jack had said, which Liam knew could only have been the truth, left the teenager standing alone for a few minutes, in complete shock at what the pair of them had been through.
Half way home, Liam realised he couldn't just wait for Elisa to spill her life story. So, he turned around, and was now only 5 minutes away from her house. Unannounced. Not the smartest move he'd ever made.
As the teenager drove, he sped through several stages of panic. At first, he was calm and determined, and didn't feel like anything could go wrong. But that lasted for a few seconds before he realised just how stupid this may be. And a minute ago, he'd almost turned back and gone home. But he hadn't. Some may call it kind, some may call it brave, some may refer to it as fucking psychotic. But that pretty much summed up Liam and his friends. So here he was, parking in the street outside Elisa's house.
Liam took a deep breath and stepped out of his car. He was extremely lacking in confidence now, and the selfishness of his act had just hit him. He had just decided that he was to know what was going on: what if El really didn't want him to? What if she was furious with him?
"Liam, what are you doing here?" Same a quite female voice. He snapped his head up to see Elisa standing in her front doorway, in a plain t-shirt and jeans, looking right at him.
"Don't hit me, but I spoke to Jack." Liam said, the weak voice surprising the both of them.
"I'm not a witch. You can talk to other people, no matter how much I hate them. So, what did he say?" Elisa replied, not a hint of anger or remorse in her voice. So, Liam took that as his green light.
"He... he told me to tell you one thing. Tristitia." Liam said, his voice stronger now. But he regretted everything as her face dropped.
"I- I think you should come inside. I've got some spilling to do."
*
"Jack told me you were together. He explained that much, and- and something else." Liam said, looking Elisa in the eye. She had gone through several emotional phases through her story, outright anger to breaking down in sobs. But, she said mostly what Jack did. But she just thought he'd broken her heart.
"Well, that's what happened. I don't know what he could possibly have told you more than that. He cheated on me. The bastard broke my heart, plain and simple." Elisa said, her tears gone and her face hard once more.
"I know it may sound crazy, but he lied. He didn't cheat on you. It- it was a lot worse. But it wasn't in his control." Liam said, his voice soft.
"What do you mean it wasn't it wasn't in his control? Was he drugged or something? Is that what he told you?" El seethed.
Liam said nothing.
"You're joking." Elisa said, and she paled when Liam simply shook his head. "He was- he- he..." She broke down in sobs.
And that's how the pair stayed, Liam comforting Elisa as she sobbed, feeling infinitely guilty.
YOU ARE READING
We're Just Misfits
Teen FictionDISCONTINUED On the outside, Liam Darwin was an ordinary boy, who enjoyed doing ordinary things for a boy of his age. But on the inside, he was a very different person. Never before had he opened up about his feelings, and he didn't plan to. And wh...
