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Her gaze is focused on a random spot on the bed, not aware of my tears and the pain I’m feeling for her. Is this how friendship works? You’re able to feel each other’s emotions as if they are your own. If this is friendship then I’m glad I have friends who make me feel this way. I want to share their pain and make them feel better. I want them to know they aren’t alone.

There’s so much I want to do to save them—anything.

“My dad was the one who encouraged me to go to therapy. He talked to me every evening about it, he knew how I felt and there was nothing he could do. He wanted to save me, he just didn’t know how to. But he understood that someone else could. In two weeks, he visited multiple doctors until he was satisfied with three of them. He went with me to each of them until I decided on Ivanna Onley who saved my life. If it weren’t for her I wouldn’t be here. But I guess the credit goes to my dad before her. Every weekend he took me to her office in the city. I went to her on Friday and Sunday. For those three days, we stayed at an apartment he rented out and spent time together. He talked to me for hours and gave me all the reasons why I needed to stay because people loved me. Sometimes Mom came with me too, and she was equally supportive and loving. My parents saved me, and I love them so much.”

A sob breaks out of me and instantly catches Marie’s attention. Her own eyes fill with tears.

“You don’t need to cry. I’m fine now. I promise. Geez, you’re like Sebastian. He started crying when I told him everything. You both are cry-babies.” She wraps her arms around me and consoles me.

“I’m so sorry that you felt that way. It’s terrible and hurts so much,” I tell her in an annoying voice between my hiccups.

She rubs my back. “I know but it’s not terrible anymore. I’m good. I’m fucking incredible.”

“Do you really mean that?”

“Yeah. I really mean that.”

Assured with her answer, I wipe away my tears and wrap my arms around her. I hold onto her tightly, letting her know that she means a lot to me, more than I could ever put into words.

A knock on the door separates us, a few seconds later Camila walks in holding a tray with two mugs, biscuits, and chocolate packets.

My stomach grumbles at the sight of food. I missed lunch because I didn’t want to spend the little money I earned. As Heath advised I want to invest so I can make more money and be able to do something in case Mom kicks me out.

With how aggressive Dad is getting toward me, I want to leave. I want to get away from the place they call home. It hasn’t been that in years. When I was little I was too naive to understand what fear was, but now that I’m old I know what it feels like, and I don’t want to live every day in it. I want to be safe. I want to be okay. I want to be alive.

Marie quickly opens a chocolate bar and hands it to me. Her eyes fill with excitement, and she squeaks. “Try it. Try it, Hope!”

I take it from her. The sweet taste of the hard chocolate swirls into my mouth before it melts away.

“It’s the best chocolate ever,” I say, taking another bite and covering my mouth so if the little bits fall off I don’t embarrass myself.

“I know you’d like it. Mom got an entire box for you. Right mom?” Marie looks about ready to start jumping in happiness.

Camila smiles widely. “Of course I did.” She turns to me. “I’ll give it to you when you leave. Enjoy it but don’t eat too much at the same time, love.”

I only manage to nod.

“Now I’m gonna go. If you girls need anything, let me know. Hope, would you be staying for dinner with us?”

“No. I have to be home by eight.”

“Curfew I see.”

“Yes.”More like a death threat.

She gives me an understanding smile. “Maybe some other day then. I’d love to prepare a meal for you.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’ll eat anything.”

She chuckles and backs up until she’s in the hallway. Before closing the door she says, “I bet, but Marie will make sure I prepare a banquet for you.”

“Yeah. Hope loves a banquet.” Marie pipes in.

My eyes bulge out. “N-No! That’s not true. I’d eat anything. I don’t need a banquet.”

Camila leaves with a laugh.

Marie hasn’t told me what happened to her, but I have a feeling something devastating happened to her. Something that changed her completely. It made her want to die. I can’t imagine how bad it was. My only assurance is that she’s doing better now, though I wish to know her even better so I can help her in any way that I can. I want to be there for her and hug her when she wants to hide in the darkness or cry in the shower. I just want to be her best friend in every sense.

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