Healed my Cuts

Stay by Me

::CHAPTER 3::

Let's be alone together. You can stay young forever...

"Bye, Darek." I say, on my way home. It's pouring, so I'm not looking forward to it.

I walk maybe three yards when the rain stops. But, it's still pouring all around me.

I look up and see a black umbrella.

"Need some company?" He asks.

"No. I'm okay." I lie.

"No, you aren't." He puts his arm around me.

I smile. But it fades. "Why did you help me?"

"Because...at my old school...the same thing happened to me..." He sighs.

I hug him.

He hugs back. "Come on. Let me show you something."

I follow him to an abandoned building.

"Wow." I say.

"Yep. This...this is where I practically live." He says. "My parents just don't understand. My dad smokes and drinks and my mom's never home because she doesn't like my dad. But, she's Cristian so she doesn't wanna divorce."

"Well, this is a pretty nice place though." I say. It is. He has a bed set up, working plumbing, heat, electricity, everything! I might just be here with him.

"You should go." He blushes.

"No. I don't want to." I raise my voice. "I want you to stay by me." I hug him.

All is well, until my sleeve rolls up.

I try to hide it, but he already has my arm.

"What's this?" He asks, obviously knowing the answer.

"I...I...I'm sorry!" I sob into his chest.

Darek grabs a red Sharpie and draws a butterfly over the cut.

It stings a little. But I like the pain.

He softly kisses my wrist and puts his hand over it.

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"Self-harm awareness." He says deeply. He rolls up his sleeve and reveals a large scar. "I was stupid." He sighs.

I grab the Sharpie and draw a butterfly.

He hugs me again.

"I'll try..." I say, dropping the marker. "I'll try not to do it."

He puts his hands on my shoulders. "You should go home. Your parents might worry."

"I don't care. Just stay with me a little longer." I hug him back.

He puts his chin on my head and strokes my hair. He kisses my head and we stand in silence.

I like the silence. You can never hurt people that way.