The Boy's Children

Chapter 2

Marionette's POV
Is he really talking to me?

"W-why are you talking to me?"

He shrugged.

"Thought you could use a friend."

"Well...yeah..I kinda do but...I don't think it's good for you to be seen with me. I-I don't wanna fuck your reputation up."

"Damn. So that's true? You worry about others more than you?"

"W-who said that?"

"Overheard a conversation someone was having."

"P-people talk about me?"

"Not really. It was just that one thing I heard."

"O-oh. I'm still confused...out of everyone here...why me?"

"Damn. You want me to be honest?"

"Kinda? At the same time, I don't."

"You seem really nice. And...I think you're hot."

My eyes widened.

"Y-you do?!"

"Yeah. You sound surprised."

"I-I thought-"

"I was with Tracey?"

I nodded.

"Nah. That ended a few months ago. She's clearly obsessed with me."

I would be too.

"You have lunch 4th period right?"

"Mhm. Why?"

"I'll come sit with you."

"Y-you will?"

"Yeah."

He moved hair out of my face. Shivers went down my spine.

"Wow. Your ears are decorated."

He picked up one of my earrings.

"These are beautiful. You like butterflies?"

"Y-yeah."

"My daughter loved them too."

"You had a daughter?"

"Yeah. I lost her a few months ago."

"O-oh god. I-I'm so sorry."

"Thanks."

The bell rang.

"I'll see you at lunch."

He kissed my cheek then walked away. My face started to heat up.

Raven's POV
Hey uh...so I'm Raven Zed Manheim...I'm 16. I live in New Jersey. I live with my mom Sheila and my sister Brittney. She's 11. I had a daughter. I just...can't see her anymore. Her mother cut me off. She's 3 now. I miss her every day. I tried finding them. It just didn't go well. They moved. My life's been fucked up since. One minute, I had her in my arms. The next...she was ripped out of them. She loved butterflies. I have a butterfly garden at my mom's house...just for her. Just for Novalyn.

I cry a lot. I feel like a failure. I wish I knew what I did to, deserve this. I really do. Even if I see her again, she won't even know me. I'll just be a stranger to her. Maybe...maybe...that's how my life should me. Separated from my little girl.

"Ven? Hello? Wake up!"

I felt someone slap the back of my head.

"Ow! What was that for?!"

"You're thinking about Nova again."

"How'd you know?"

"You play with your necklace."

I stopped playing with my necklace.

"I know you miss her. Trust me. I-I do."

"You don't understand it though. You don't understand the pain."

The bell rang. I packed my things up. I stood up.

"I'll see you in gym."

I walked to the cafeteria. I grabbed a tray of food. I looked around the cafeteria. I saw Marionette. I walked over to the table she was at. I sat across from her.

"Hey!"

"H-holy shit. Y-you were serious about sitting with me?"

"Yeah. You thought I was lying?"

She shrugged.

"I just thought..you were just saying things."