Exordium

My Friend Of Misery

     Walking along the sidewalk of a bridge, I saw someone.  They were dressed in a black shirt, with a jacket that was deep purple with black stripes, black skinny jeans, and black combat boots.  His hair was long for a boys, it was edgy and razored, almost covering his face.  It was a deep brown, the dark color highlighting his icy blue eyes, which were filled with tears.  I slowly approached him, sliding down to his sitting position, feet dangling from the edge of the bridge.   There was a murky brown river flowing underneath the cold metal bridge.  Sliding my fingers against the rough concrete, and felt the smooth dryness of paper, differing from the cold, wet cement.  I looked over at the strange boy, who was looking down at his lap, the occasional tear falling, “What were you planning to do?” I asked.  He flinched at the question, snapping his head to face me.  “How long have you been here?”  “Long enough,” I replied, “now answer my question; what were you planning to do?”  He opened his mouth to answer, but then sharply closed it again.  He looked as if he were trying to choose the right words.  He finally decided on saying, “Open that sheet of paper lying beneath your hand, and then if your question still remains unanswered, ask me again.”  I slowly picked the paper up, holding it with both hands.   I unraveled the note, revealing the scribble that was inside.  It was hastily written, but not illegible.      

“If you are reading this, that means I am gone from this world.  To answer the “why’s” floating around in your head, here is the reason behind why I took my own life.  My parents could care less for me, they don’t care at all.  They have verbally and emotionally abused me.  Yet they haven’t done anything physical it still hurts, down to the core.  Also, I am bullied terribly at college.  I live in constant fear, and no one sees.  Everyone who tried to help ended up leaving me.  I am all alone.  But now, I am no longer afraid.  Because, whoever is reading this, I am no longer walking the face of this earth.  I am now with all the people who actually cared for me, the ones who left me here alone.  To all who may care, I’m sorry.  Please do not think back on what you could have done, because you didn’t do anything.  Tell everyone that whenever you see someone alone, go and talk to them.  Be friendly, because all they are searching for is a friend.  This is my last wish for anyone who feels they should carry it out.  Farewell."

I looked up at the boy with the tear stricken face, “You were planning to jump?”  I asked meaning for it to sound like a statement, rather than a question.  He looked back over to me and nodded slightly.  “You do know that I’m not going to allow you to carry through with that, right?”  He nodded again.  “The note said you go to college, which college?”  “Why do you care?” he replied bitterly, venom lacing every word.  “Because, I go to college, I actually just got out of class, and I wondered if we go to the same one.”  He looked up and over his shoulder, he pointed off in the direction of the building I just left, “That one, right down the road.” He said in a softer tone.  I stood up, his eyes watching my every move.  I extended my hand down for him to take it, which he did.  I pulled him on his feet, away from the ledge.  He pawed his eyes, ridding them from the tears that had fallen.  I carefully bent over and picked up the note.  “You do not need this anymore.”  I said sternly.  I ripped up the note, piece by piece, and let the remains of it fly off into the wind.       

Walking back to my apartment that I rented right off of campus, I asked the boy, “What is your name?”  “Eli, Eli Davorin.  What’s your name?”  “Joliette Valika.”  “Interesting name, I like it.” He replied, smiling slightly.   “So what classes do you take?” he asked me.  “I take Mr. Henderson’s photography class and Mrs. Griggs’ sketching class; what about you?”  “I take Mrs. Griggs’ sketching class too, also Mr. Oberon’s tattoo artist class.” He replied.   “That’s where I know you from, you’re in my class.”  He nodded, showing he acknowledged my statement.

I stopped in my tracks, leaving Eli with a confused expression on his face.  I slid my bag off my shoulder and lowered it to the ground, digging through it searching for my camera.  “What are you doing?” he questioned.  “Go sit over there, on the ledge like you were, just don’t fall off.”  “Okay?” he said, giving me an odd look.  He did as he was told, though.  “Be careful.” I commanded.  “Why am I doing this?”  “Just look out over the river.”  I told him.  He did as commanded.  I stepped back and captured the sight with a click of a button.  I checked the picture, and it looked amazing.  It was by far the best one I have ever taken.  “You can get up now,” I said.  “Can I see?  You know, the picture.” He asked.  I waved my hand for him to come over.  “Wow that looks amazing.”  He said with wide eyes.  “Thank you,” I replied smiling.  “So, do you want to come over or?” I said, trailing off the question.  “I would but I actually have class in a few minutes.”  “Okay, hand me your phone for a second.”  He slid his phone from his pocket and cautiously handed it over.  I tapped my number into his contact list.  “Call me.”  I said.  Realization hitting him, he uttered out an “Okay.”  I waved my goodbye and started the journey back to my apartment.    

 I slipped my ear buds in my ear, and let the music drown out all the senseless noise of the world.  I let my thoughts consume me.  How could that boy have no friends?  He has to at least have one.  I mean I have Caera; she’s the one I go to with all my problems.  She’s also my roommate, which is amazing.  Eli.  That name fits him, his personality.  It’s simple, yet mystic, concealed, obscure.  Making my way up the stairs, I put my ear phones back into the bag, searching for my keys.  I grasped ahold of them and unlocked the door.  I saw Caera asleep on the couch.  It was getting pretty late.  I clicked the door lock back.        

Wandering through the house, I approached my room.  It wasn’t much, but I didn’t need a lot.  Just a simple bed, with a bed stand and a closet on the far side of the room.  I chunked my bag in the corner, and meandered my way to the closet to fetch some pajamas.  Across the hall, there was a bathroom, with a small shower, sink, and cupboard above the sink.  I stripped my clothes off and kicked them into the corner.  I twisted the knob for the shower to cut on, and waited for the water to heat up.  Stepping into the steaming hot water, I let the pure liquid cleanse away the stress from the day.        

Slipping my bed clothes on, I walked back to my bedroom.  Shifting under the warm covers of my bed, I thought about what happened today.  I saved a boy’s life, just by talking to him.  I gave him my friendship, giving him a new friend.  These thoughts were the last ones before I slipped into a dreamless sleep.  

*title credit: My Friend of Misery by Metallica*

*the picture on the right is what Eli looks like.  btw its not my picture, I found it on the internet.*

*the music video also is not mine.*