Short Stories

How to save a life

"Sometimes you must be careful while trying to fix someone, for you could cut yourself on the broken pieces."

Robs PoV

I glance over at the brown haired boy who always sat at the table in the corner. He constantly wore bright colors, showing his cheery side. Although, his dark brown eyes stared at the table, sadly. I knew he wasn't okay, and it was my job to fix him.

"Are you going?" I heard my bestfriend, Lachlan ask. He nudges my arm, shoving me off my chair to go. Two other boys, who sat with me hold in their laughter, while vikk fist bumps the air out if excitement.

I stumble off my chair and quickly land on my feet. "Okay! I'm going!" I felt nervous about having to do this, but life is full of chores.

"Hey." I nervously say as I wave my hand. The stranger looks up, he smiles a toothy grin. And greets me too. I look back at my group of friends, who were beckoning me on. I sigh. "Look," I say bluntly. "You can stop smiling like you're happy, I know you're not." It sounded harsher than it was meant to, and you could see it all over the boys face. "I'm here to help you."

He was silent for a moment, debating what to say. Before he could deny me, I slid into the chair across from him, trying to make small talk.

It was like this it a while, he never got mad at the fact that I was straight to the point, in fact, I think it might have made us closer.

We spent our entire lunch hour talking, sports, weather, and even secrets. I found out that his name was Preston. He has a bunch of siblings, and his parents are barely around, and when they are they're fighting. His life was pitiful, I must say. He was something great, wonderful even.

"Heyyyyyy you two!" Mitch and Jerome run over, bumping into each other, racing to be the first over here. Mitch arrives first, followed by Jerome.

Mitch slides his body into the seat next to Preston and pats his head. "Hey there champ!" He says. Preston pushes his hand away.

Jerome talks next, leaving on the cafeteria table. He points at me. "Did little Robbie over here tell you about "helping you"?" He makes sure to emphasis the helping you.

"W-what do you mean?" Preston stutters. He pulls the sleeves of his sweater down, a signal of embarrassment. He was uncomfortable.

"You don't have to do this anymore" vikk walks over now. "You've proved yourself worthy, you can do a dare." Lachlan comes behind him, tagging into the conversation.

"Guys shut up!" I yell.

Preston was the next to talk. "Was this all a date?" Everyone around me nods their heads. His face turns to confusion. "Why would you do this?" Preston's head snaps towards me.

I hesitate before talking. I sit there in silence until my friends leave out of boredom. I continue to stare at the black smudged stain on the table. "I just wanted to fit in." I stutter.

It's true, all my life I've never fit into a group, I was always told that I was never worth it. It hurt and I finally found a opportunity to fit in and I jumped at it.

"Whatever. You deserve them as friends." Preston gets up but I grab his arm, keeping him here.

"Preston, please. I know you. I know that whenever you're nervous you pull down your sleeves, to cover up your hands. I know that when you're at home, you have all those people there, but you still feel alone. I know that you prefer the summer I've the winter and I know that you think you're better off without your parents. I know." I fight the tear that begin to settle in my eyes. "And I love you for that."

Nothing.

That's all I heard. It was silent as Preston got up and walked away, leaving me behind him. Everyone in the room stood and stared, I envied him. But I loved him.

I get up, grabbing my stuff and walk over towards my group of friends. The funny thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies. "I hope you're amused." I spat. "Did you get your show?"

And with that I walk out the building.

---
My body was held up by my bedroom door as I sat on the floor, tears rushing down my face. I play with my phone case, takin it off and on. I contemplated calling Preston. My mind was made up as I dialed his number.

I get his voicemail, he was ignoring me. What else did I expect? "Preston, you're a wonderful person. I fell in love with the way you talked and the way you made me happy. we all make mistakes, but my mistake was being me. And I should have been more careful fixing you up, for I've cut myself on you're broken pieces." I begin bawling again. "I am about to be the boy on the news that killed himself, don't be like me." I quickly add. "I love you, Preston Arsement."
--

THIS IDEA WAS FROM THE SHORT STORY, HOW TO SAVE A LIFE AND IT BEAUTIFUL AND YOU HOULD CHECK IT OUT BC I WANTED TO CRY
Title; How to save a life
Author: outofthewoods