Running ✔️ [UNEDITED]

Chapter 19: Words hurt

AN: Here's chapter 19. Enjoy people. WARNING; mentions of almost self harm!!!

Lila's POV:

"Xander, where have you been?" Alessandro demanded, trying to look dignified while covered in sauce.

"Out," Xander mumbled, slurring his words slightly (AN: idk how a drunk person acts so I'm just going by what I see in films...), "Ouch, my stomach hurts."

I frowned and looked at a part of his abdomen that had a black jacket pressed against it. I gently removed it and inhaled sharply at the large stab wound.

"Boys, get me (insert cure for hangover) and the first aid kit," I said, dragging Xander over to the couch and forcing him to sit, "and hurry!"

"Lila, we should call a doctor," Drake said, his phone already out.

"We may not have that much time- I need to asses the wounds first, but call the doctor, just in case. Don't worry, I've seen and cured stab wounds before," on my own body I almost add. It's true, I have a three inch long scar on my stomach. But now is not the time to take a trip down memory lane, my brother was injured.

The boys did as I asked, getting all the equipment I needed. Unfortunately, the wound was quite deep so it needed stitches. I worked methodically, barking out orders and focusing on the wound.

At around 4pm, the doctor came in and took over. My eyes were watering slightly, but my hands were surprisingly steady. Doctor Hans dressed the wounds and told Xander to get plenty of rest and reprimanded him for being so stupid.

"Who did the stitches?" He asked, walking over to us.

"I did," I raised my hand.

"They were very good. It's a good thing you managed to do so successfully, I may not have gotten him in time."

There was a thick silence; I was inwardly thankful that I knew how to do first aid, otherwise... No, I refuse to think about what could've happened.

Two days later...

Xander was healing nicely. He still refused to talk to me- what was his problem? It was getting petty and childish.

I was going into Xander's room with his dinner on the tray. I heard voices inside the room and stopped, ready to knock but I heard my name being mentioned. So I did what pretty much anyone would do, I eavesdropped.

"Odio così tanto mia sorella!" I heard Xander say, "È solo una patetica ragazzina orfana che vuole i nostri soldi,"  (I hate my sister so much! She's just some pathetic little orphan girl who wants our money)

There was a silence and then he laughed- I presumed he was talking on the phone, "yeah, she's a burden. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if Alessandro kicks her out."

Then, he began talking about something else, but I tuned him out.

I felt tears threatening to fall, but I held them back. I was so so stupid. I actually tricked myself to believe that I actually had a loving family, for once.

Clenching my jaw and keeping my blank facade up, I entered the room. I carefully put the tray in his lap and exited the room.

WARNING: mentions of almost self harm! Skip this part if you are sensitive to that type of thing! There will be a **** when that part is over!

I made my way up to my bedroom and went into my bathroom. I took out some sleeping pills. I took out 6. I raised them to my mouth.

Suddenly, I lowered my hand. Flashbacks of all the people who cared about me came before my eyes. They all told me to be strong and not give up.

I took out a blade and raised it to my arm. I stopped. A clear image of a little girl telling me to 'stay safe' came into my mind. I flung the blade across the room and slid against the door, sobbing.
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The worlds biggest idiot said 'sticks and bones may break my bones, but words will never hurt.' Words are our most harmful weapon. They are capable of building a person up, or breaking them down. They can make a person smile or cry. You have to be careful with what you say. I had been cut down so many times. I was tired. Tired of being treated this way.

However, something inside me consoled me. It told me to keep going. For her. I missed her so much.

"This is for you," I whispered to no one on particular. I grabbed the pills and emptied them down the toilet. I took the blade and shoved them far back in the cupboard.

Sighing, I wiped away my tears and unlocked the door. I packed my backpack with the bare necessities and placed it under my bed. Just in case.

I walked downstairs and plastered on a fake smile. It always worked.

"Hey, neonata," Drake said, "Bella called, said that there was a party tonight and she wanted you to come."

"Can I go?" I asked, wanting to forget about what I almost did a few minutes ago.

Drake hesitated, "Okay," he said reluctantly, "but no drinking and be back before 11pm please or Alessandro will kill me."

I grinned and gave him a bear hug and quickly ran to get changed. I put on some black ripped jeans and a blue blouse and threw on a dark green hoodie. I applied a little bit of makeup and quickly ran downstairs.

The doorbell rang and I opened it to see a smiling Isabella. She had some dark blue jeans and a white blouse and had left her hair down in natural brown waves. Sometimes I envy the way she can carry herself with such confidence.

"You ready?" She asked.

"Yeah, I kinda need to get away for a while," I decided not to mention what Xander said; Bella would probably march up to his room and drop kick him to Australia- stab wound or not. I also didn't tell her about the bathroom scene... it scared me what I almost did.

We stopped outside a small mansion. There were lights exploding out of it like rainbows throwing up all over the place. Several drunk people were passed out in the gardens.

"Bells, I don't think this is a good idea," I said cautiously, pulling on my friends sleeve.

"Come on, Cherry," Bella pleaded, "just once, for me?"

I sighed and allowed her to drag me to the party. I must've been really emotional to agree to go to a place like this.

If only I'd known what was going to come.
End of chapter 19.

Not a really good chapter tbh... next one will be better!

If you're going through something or feeling down, talk to someone! Don't hold everything in because someday, it will just explode out of you in a negative way. If you don't want to talk, maybe write a letter, just don't keep it all in.

On a happier note: I'm reading this book called 'Speechless' by Kate Darbishire. It's so good! I recommend it!

Stay safe guys!