Fact 10:
Abraham Lincoln first fell into a deep depression after Ann Rutledge, his first love, died. Lincoln reportedly suffered from chronic depression his entire life.
~~//~~//~~//~~
I sat on the bench trying to catch my breath to calm myself down from breaking down. I wipe the sticky liquid running down my arms. My shirt soaked in sticky caramel desert, I always seem to find myself drenched in some type of meal. It's been nearly a week and everyone is still picking on me non-stop. It has gotten worse everyday.
I knew I could take a few insults, shoves and to look down upon. I got through with that every single day for years. Now they give me this look at how much they disgust me and hate, it's like it's their mission to remind me that. When you are constantly being told you are worthless you began to believe that you are one.
Teachers know what's going on for years but they won't do anything about it of course since Jessica's parents donate alot in the school.
After the outburst in the locker room Jessica stuck to the words she said to me. Boy, she really did commit to those words.
I stopped asking why they would do this to me? I'm just a normal teenager who is trying to get by in high school. High school just love drama, they hear gossip and believe straight away because they want something interesting to tell each other. I guess it's part of human nature for teenagers to talk about each other good or bad.
"I really admire you" A familiar voice came beside me making me jump surprised.
I look up shock to see Skyler leaning against the wall watching me. I hope he wasn't watching for that long. His blue eyes shine emotionless giving me a blank stare. His black hair ruffled messily on his head. He wore a maroon shirt showing of his olive skin showing his tattoo on his upper arm. He wore his lip ring on the right that he is known for.
He looks extra perfect today.
Should I be happy or annoyed by that?
He's gorgeous a lot of girls throw themselves at him of course.
"Huh?" Confusion cross my face. Whatever words that came out of his mouth never reached my ears.
"Nothing" He cleared his throat scratching the back of his neck. "I was wondering if you were okay. Are you okay?"
I became more confuse then before, I rearrange my expression and nodded looking away towards the ground.
"Yeah of course I am!" I smiled not bothering to lift my face towards him. "I'm always okay"
I saw something flicker over his eyes but it was gone before I could see it properly.
"How's your dad?"
"Fine"
"Um did he tell you that we're going a two weeks from now?" Skyler rub his neck fidgeting with his shirt.
"Yeah."
An awkward silence slice between us making both of us fidget aimlessly. I've been trying to prepare myself everyday to not relay on my dad. I just think that he won't be there one day, he won't be there to hold my hand to reassure me that everything will be okay. He won't be there to greet right when I step into the house. He won't be there to ask how was my day. He won't be there to tell me to get up and get to school. He won't be there when I need to look up to him for help.
He won't be there anymore.
I know it's going to be hard and I'm scared for when that day is about to come.
"About Jessica-
"It's fine" I sighed frustrated to hear him defend her once again or have him apologize for her.
"No listen I know I haven't been standing up for what's right, I just stood there like everyone else does. What Jessica did-
"Hailey I was looking for you every where....." Kyle stop mid way through his step dragging his last words longer then it should.
He look at Skyler and I and awkwardly stood there looking like an adorable lost puppy.
"Hey Skyler" Kyle greet.
"Hey" Skyler clenched his jaw turning away from me.
"Sorry was I interrupting?" Kyle cleared his throat. "I'll just wait there and leave-
"No!" I jumped up rushing to Kyle's side surprising all of us
I felt a little annoyed that Skyler just came here to say sorry on his girlfriend's behalf. I just want to go as far as I can away from Skyler.
"What's sup? Do we need to go some where?" I pull him along.
"Actually I was just wondering if you are okay" Kyle look over to Skyler. "I told you we should hire some bodyguards they don't even have to wear suits. I'll tell them to blend in."
"No Kyle" I chuckled.
"It's not for you, it for me actually it will help me not to worry about you all the time" He sighed.
I stopped in my tracks and stared at him. There's no one like him that treated me like this, nobody was ever this worried about me except my dad. His smile drop as he stared at me with worry and that worry in his eyes made me feel like I wasn't that bad of a person. That I wasn't worthless, pathetic and disgusting.
"Hey what's wrong?" He frown.
"You would be worried about me?" My voice came out as a whisper.
"Of course" He frown not understanding why I'm asking him this question. "You're one of the best people I know and I think you are the type of person that people in your life will always care and worry about you. I just hope you realize how much of good person you are"
He lower down to my eye leve and stared at me warmly, I felt my eyes blur at the words he said. I couldn't help but blink the tears. I felt a sudden attachment towards him and I didn't know whether to be happy that I have at least one person to be there or be sad that I would rely on him to be there?
"Don't cry" He place his warm hands on my cheeks wiping away my tears.
I didn't know what to say so I just pulled him to a hug wrapping my arms around him tightly. He place his chin above my head holding me.
"Thank you." I whispered onto his shirt.
"For what?"
"For worrying"
Nobody ever stopped and ask if I was okay and really and truly wanted to know.
Then I realized I was hugging him and I was covered in another desert. I jolt back and looked at him sheepishly seeing the sticky caramel on his shirt.
"Sorry I forget I was covered in caramel" I chuckled.
"That's okay I love caramel!" He shrugged and threw his arms over my shoulder not caring if his shirt is stained. "Want me to lick you clean?" He wiggle his eyebrows at me making me laugh.
Now I just made a new discovery when I'm down Kyle is who makes me feel better.
Skyler's POV
I watch Hailey cry on Kyle hugging him tightly in the distance. Since this Kyle guy came here he seem to be always by her side, always there to stick up for her. I didn't want that! I want to be the one by her side. I want to be the one she cries to. I'm want to be the one she needs.
I was the guy in the side line always looking after her in the distance without her knowing.
Everyone in this damn school is jealous of her. She's pure beauty with no make up, no fake tan and no expensive clothes to make her look beautiful. She had long black curly hair that reaches her hips, she had small nose that fit her face perfectly. She has big hazel brown eyes with long curly lashes. She has the most fair creamy white skin that you just want to run your hands all over her skin. She have this cute beauty spot right in the corner above her lips that I adore. She has the most innocent and kind personality that you can't help but love her.
She's better then everyone in this stuck up posh school, especially Jessica.
Speak of the slut here she comes now.
"Hey baby did you miss me?" She strut towards me moving her hips from side to side.
She threw her arms around me like we are still together. I hate how she things she's better then everyone and people with money is the only one that can be her friend.
"Jessica" I sighed frustrated ripping her hands away from me.
"Why are you being like this?" She huffed folding her arms. "I love you Skyler I know you love me too" She pout giving her best puppy dog eyes.
I do admit Jessica is sexy as hell, we were together for a couple of years and had fun I did develop feelings for her but it isn't love. As time goes by she began to irritate me it seems like everything she does annoys me now.
"I'm sorry Jessica but we're not together anymore and I don't think we will ever be" I moved back away from her before she can cling to me.
"Sky please don't do this I love you" She begged. "You can't do this to me."
"We are better off without each other Jessica trust me" I had the urge to roll my eyes at her.
Before she could speak one more word I walked away from her feeling my day becoming worst then before.
"Sky!" I heard her shrill voice screamed behind me making me walk faster.
I arrived in a house smelling like freshly baked cookies making me instantly follow the smell. I spot a plate filled with double chocolate cookies the made my mouth water. I was about to reach for on until a hand smacked mine. I almost gave out a hiss of a snake.
"No you can't eat, this is for Tim and Hailey" My mom shook her head.
"They're coming here?" I half smiled.
"Yeah now go I'm cooking and I don't need you lurking around trying to snatch one cookie" My pushed me out of the kitchen. "Dinner is at 7 and please sweetie don't invite those trashy girls around here."
I chuckled and kiss my mom on the cheek and climb the stairs.
I felt myself grin at the thought of Hailey coming over. Now it's my chance to get to know her and get her to trust me.
~~//~~//~~
"Look at my handsome boy" My mom cooed wiping her hands on her apron before coming over and pinching my cheeks.
"Mom" I whined pulling away rubbing my now sore cheeks.
"Isn't our son just handsome without all his piercings?" My mom hugged me telling my dad excitedly.
"Of course he gets his looks from me." Dad walked over to us and to my horror they both pintch each of my cheeks.
"Dear God, please stop" I shove their hands away.
They both laughed loving the fact that they can annoy their own son. At times I think they are bored they like to annoy me for their entertainment and they love it too much. I playfully glared at them making them smile.
"You know when Tim um dies" My dad seem to have some trouble saying that word.
I've never seen my dad like this whenever he talks about Tim he would tear up a bit or he coudn't speak properly. My dad never talked about Tim but I know Tim has been part of his life for so long that when he's gone it wouldn't feel the same.
"His daughter Hailey is going to live with us, is that okay with you?" He asked.
"Yeah sure."
This can be my chance to be closer to her.
"That's why we want to spend as much time as we can with them so hopefully when it comes at the time she already knows us and that she's won't feel like she's living with strangers." Mom explained.
"We want her to feel comfortable around us" Dad half smiled but the sadness of losing his friend is there. I think it will always be there.
The bell rung at the right time and that sadness in my dad's eyes vanished, for now. Mom opened the door, Hailey came in pushing her dad inside. She looked so beautiful with her hair down, she wore a red and white summer dress that showed her lean legs. She wore a black cardigan with her dress the hung loosely around her body. Her skin is flawless without a hint of make up but she's still the most beautiful girl I have seen.
I couldn't help but just look at her.
Her deep hazel eyes landed on mine making me smile and slowly she returned that smile.
"Hey" I smiled.
"Hey" A tiny cute smile spread on her face.
"I'm so happy you guys arrived Amy wouldn't let me eat before dinner, I think my pants feel a little looser" My dad joked.
"Don't be such a drama queen David" Mom rolled her eyes.
"You were always a drama queen since we were kids" Hailey's dad chuckled.
"Come I want to show you something" Dad smiled over at Hailey and pushed her dad outside taking him out of her hands.
"You kids do whatever you want dinner will be ready soon" My mom smiled widely that I was scared her face is going to split in half.
That left both of us alone, looking at her now it seems like I haven't seen her for so long. She stood there running her hand over her wavy hair.
"Do you want to see our pet room?"
"Pet room?" She cock her head to the side. "You have a pet room?"
"Yeah come on I'll show you"
We walked outside where the room is separated from the house. The vanilla scent of hers hit me making me inhale deeply. I look over at her watching her look around in amazement, I knew our house is huge and I never really appreciated it until now. The look on her face tells it all.
I opened the door for her and the smell of hay and dried pallets food is in the air. She walked in and gasp staring at the big room.
"You have a shark?!" She gasped.
"A baby shark."
She walked up to the big tank and looked closely like she can't believe what she is seeing.
"A baby shark" She mumbled in amazement. "Wouldn't the shark get lonely being all alone in there?"
She sounded so concern for the shark making my eyes soften staring at her. There's absolutely no one like her. The concern she has for everyone is the type of feeling not a lot of people get, a type of love she makes other people feel just because she's concern is so rare to find.
"We're giving her back soon my dad has a habit of collecting exotic animals." I smiled at her.
"That's good then" She smiled touching the cool glass of the tank.
She turned around and went over to a cage.
"What is that?" She gasp staring at a little creature hiding in a tub.
"That's a sugar glider" I opened the cage. "It's one of my favorite pet here, do you want to hold her?"
"Yeah" She smiled.
I scoop up the baby sugar glider in my palm and place her in the waiting hands of Hailey. She gasp lightly and brought the tiny animal towards her face stroking her back.
"She's so tiny" She cooed.
The happiness in her eyes made my chest tighten seeing the glint of light in her eyes.
"I've always wanted a pet but I don't think I had enough time to take care of it" She said sadly.
I looked into her eyes and I couldn't help but feel captivated at the pureness and kindness she has. For most of her life she sacrifice being a normal teenager to help her dad. Instead of going out with friends and to parties she stays at home and spend time as much as she can with her dad. Instead of worrying about getting hurt by stupid boys she's hurt seeing her dad in pain. Instead of worrying about herself she stays awake and watch over her dad.
"You never know maybe in the future" I shrugged my eyes wondering all over her face.
"I guess you're right" The sadness in her eyes is back.
I want to know what she thinks about, what makes her sad and what makes her happy. I want to know what runs through her mind when she space out and her eyes shimmer like she's going to shed a tear but she holds on.
"It's really nice for your parents to spend their money on us for Paris" She smiled putting her back in her cage.
"Don't worry about it, my parents miss your dad so much it's good for all them" I locked the cage. "I think it's good for you too. A break from everything"
"You're right" She nodded.
"I know that's twice in a row now" I smirk. "I guess you should always listen to me now"
She laughed and that was the first time I ever made her truly laugh. I wanted to do it over and over.
Mom called us for dinner, we all ate happily getting to know each other. Hailey's dad Tim has the same spirit I see in his daughter. They have no idea how much a like they are. I wish the night stayed for a while so we all could stay like this.
"It's great having you here Tim" My mom kiss his cheek. "We need you around more"
"Yeah it gets boring around here." Dad pat his back.
"Sure but we need to go to the lake" Automatically the three of them grinned.
"What lake?" Hailey asked.
"Sweetie the lake is where we go when we were 13 to 19 there's so much memories there" My mom sniff, knowing her I knew she's going to burst out crying soon.
"There's a massive waterfall there where we would sit on top of drunk waiting for the sun to rise and then we would jump off. I've spent the best time of my life there" Tim said with full of content and happiness looking back in the past.
I looked up to see my mom shed a tear her lips quiver as she try hard to not brake down. My dad put his arms around her being the only person that can pull her together.
"That sounds amazing" I spoke up.
"It is" Tim smiled at me then stared at mom and dad sadly. "Amy remember what I always use to say?"
My mom smiled sadly as she wiped her tears.
"Some day things will get better, some day you won't feel sad anymore" Mom blink away her tears.
I caught the look in Hailey's face it broke my heart seeing that, she close her eyes tightly she turned away from us to hide her tears. I wanted to reach out to her but I knew she doesn't want that.
I watch them leave with tears in her eyes that she won't shed.
I want to be there for her, I just don't know how to.