Life Goes On

Look at who has to stay behind. This is why no one likes you. You're too much trouble. At some point, Lincoln will see that and drop you like the trash you are.

Wow, late to class. Wonder what Ms Summers wanted to scold you about. Did she want to abandon you like everyone else should?

I sighed and set my phone down. I looked over at Nathan. He was asleep. My breathing became shaky. I took a shuddering breath and felt a tear escape. I got out my sketchbook and a pen. I began sketching. It's all I know how to do.

On the television, the Doctor seemed to be cheering me on.

Dufus, you do know he's not talking to you, right? Come on, who in their right mind would give you a pep talk?

I sighed. My pen faltered. I knew I shouldn't let everything get to me. They were wrong. I wasn't trouble or trash. They don't know me. I took a deep breath and kept going.

Then my phone buzzed. And kept buzzing.

I looked down. Unknown number. My heart was doing summersaults. My stomach dropped out my butt in fear.

I pressed accept and put the phone to my ear.

"H-hello?"

Great going, stupid. Now they know that you're scared and weak! You're supposed to sound strong!

"Hey, are you okay?"

I froze. What the heck? The voice was male. There were lots of voices and conversations around him.

"Uh, y-yeah. Who is this?"

"What? Oh! It's me, Link. I got your number from Nathan."

Nathan made a noise in his sleep and rolled over. His back was facing me, his face against the back of the couch. I got up and silently went down to the basement. I sat on the piano bench and listened as Link began to ramble.

"I heard you went home, so I texted Nathan a while ago, asking if you were okay. He said ask yourself. He doesn't like being a messenger boy. I don't blame him really-"

"Link, breathe."

There was a small smile growing on my face. My stomach and heart began to settle down. It was amazing how just a call from a friend could change my fear into… not fear. I wasn't happy, but I wasn't scared. Content? At peace?

"Sorry, I babble a lot. You know that." I could hear his big smile in his voice. I could almost imagine him brushing his hair off his face with one hand. "So, you're really okay? You went home early."

I found myself nodding, even though he couldn't see me.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just cramps. I'll be fine tomorrow."

"I've seen cramps. I've seen periods hit suddenly. You had a different look on your face. It was like you were going to be sick. You looked terrified."

"Dude, relax. I'm fine."

"Okay." He paused. "Let me know if anything happens."

"I will. I promise."

The bell rang and Link groaned. "I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay. Have fun."

Link laughed sarcastically. I could imagine the bridge of his nose wrinkle, just like it always does when he laughs like that.

"I'll try, but no promises."

And with that, he hung up and I was left alone. I looked around, chewing on my lip. I looked at the piano in front of me and let my hand hover over the keys. I pressed a key on the right side, listening to the clear, high note that rang through the room.

The note reminded me of a song I used to listen to when I was living with my parents. A pang went through my heart. I sighed and tried to clear my head. I pressed a few more keys and then just couldn't stop. My hands seemed to take over, and soon I was pressing down more than one key at a time.

I got lost in the music and closed my eyes. Suddenly, there was a guitar behind me, playing along with the piano. I jumped and whipped around.

Nathan was sitting across the room. A blue guitar was in his lap. He stopped strumming and looked at me. He smiled.

"I liked it. Did you just come up with that?"

"Sorry. I came down here so I wouldn't wake you up. Link called me to check in on me."

Nathan nodded and set his guitar to the side. "I don't mind if you come down here. I had a feeling Link would call or text you. He was asking about you. You two must be best of friends."

I shrugged. "We've only known each other for about a week."

Nathan nodded and walked over to me. He cleared his throat as he sat next to me. "Do you have any other friends?"

I shook my head. "I'm not the best at making friends."

"No one's causing you trouble, right?"

I shook my head.

You liar. He's gonna hate you when he finds out that you've been lying to him. Maybe he'll convince his parents that they don't need you. You'll be kicked out and die on the streets. This is why no one really likes you. The texts are right.

Nathan frowned. "Are you sure?"

I nodded and turned towards the piano keys.

"Put your fingers here, here, and here." Nathan pointed to the keys and I did as he instructed. "Now press down at the same time."

As I did, I heard a note ring out. I smiled and looked at Nathan. He smiled and showed me how to play a little bit. I grinned and we played for a while. A knock on the door interrupted us. Nathan got up and opened the door to the basement.

Mrs Young walked down the steps. "Hey, guys. Time to go home."

I got up and ran up the steps to get my things. I stopped at the top of the stairs when I heard them talking.

"Did you get why she went home?"

I closed the door a little, so they couldn't see that I was listening. I crouched down and quieted my breathing.

"She said it was period cramps, but she hasn't used the bathroom much since getting here. She hasn't clutched her stomach in pain, or done anything to suggest she's in pain. I think she was avoiding bullies."

I heard Mrs Young sigh. "I was afraid that was the case." She sighed again, a little deeper this time. "I guess I'll call the school tomorrow and talk to them about it. Did she flat out tell you that she was getting bullied?"

"No. It's just a hunch. It might be cyber bullying. Did you notice she isn't on her phone all the time?"

"I thought it was just grief."

I got up and went to the living room. I wonder if he asked Link about anything. I bit my lip and made sure I had everything.

"You ready," Mrs Young asked as she walked into the room.

I nodded and stood up, while sliding the bag onto my left shoulder.

"Alright, let's go. Y- Jay's waiting for dinner back home."

"Tell Dad I said hi," Nathan said as we walked out. He followed us to the door.

"Thanks for spending the day with me and letting me watch Doctor Who," I said.

Nathan hugged me and smiled. "It's not a problem. I liked it."

I frowned. "You fell asleep."

Mrs Young laughed. "Nathan doesn't sleep. He's too busy writing music."

"Ha, ha," Nathan said mockingly. "I'll see you guys later. Love ya."

"Bye," Mrs Young said, waving a little.

I waved a little too and Nathan closed the door. We went to the car and drove home. As soon as we got home, I sprang out of the car and ran inside the house. My coat trailed behind me in the wind. As I got inside, I noticed Mr Young walking in from the garage.

"Hey, what's up," he asked as I hung up my coat.

I shrugged. I suddenly felt very awkward. Nathan was very easy to lie to. He seemed desperate for me to like him. I didn't know how to lie to fathers though. I didn't have much experience.

"Not much. Went home early cause I wasn't feeling well. Women issues and all that."

Mr Young nodded. Mrs Young walked through at that moment and I headed upstairs. I could hear them talking softly, but I didn't really care what was being said at that moment. I got to my room and shut the door.