Ink.Echo

Depression, the one thing that clings to you when your mother dies and you're bullied every single day.

For years, that was Valerie’s reality: a life defined by grief, loneliness, and silent battles no one else could see.

That is, until she meets Jayden, a boy who refuses to let her fade.

With patience, warmth, and a heart full of hope, he becomes her light in the darkness, doing everything he can to pull her back from the edge… and maybe, just maybe, show her that love can heal even the deepest wounds.

The Weird Girlfriend

“So what about you? Don’t you have practice?” she asked. 


“I’m not going.” I chugged my water. 


“What?! Why?!” she whined, playfully smacking my abdomen with her tiny hands. 


“How about this,” I caught her fingers gently, “you stop hitting me, I take you to a nearby café, you order whatever you want, and then I walk you home?” 


She scrunched her face a bit, pretending to think, then nodded. 


So there we were, at the café. She rambled on about the most random things while I mostly just listened. It was chaotic but… fun. And just like that, we became friends. 


Jayden and I were getting closer, and I actually enjoyed being around him. 


But the girls? God, they just wouldn’t stop. They wanted Jayden for themselves, and I was her target. 


That’s why I kept cutting. My arms were already covered in scars, so I started cutting other places. It hurts… but it feels like I deserve it. 


We don’t talk much when he walks me home, but I’m glad we do talk at all. 


The rain poured hard. I rushed inside and went straight to my mom’s old room. 


I counted the money I had left, and then… I spotted an envelope in the drawers labelled, “for my baby” written on it. I opened it, and inside was a letter: 


I know times are hard and you’re trying to cope with the pain. I knew you’d run out of money, so I saved this for emergencies. Please stay safe for Mommy’s sake. 


Just reading it made my throat tighten. I couldn’t even cry—I just… felt numb. 


I headed to the bathroom. I didn’t want to cut, but somehow it felt peaceful. 


Watching the blood drip and hit the sink with that soft plop sound… it made the world quieter. 


Twenty minutes later, after the cutting and a hot shower, I went to the kitchen. I opened the fridge, staring into it like it held answers. 


“All this to myself and no one to share it with…” I whispered, licking my lips as I eyed some leftover chicken nuggets. 


—Do this and you’ll become a fatty.— 


After sighing for what felt like the hundredth time today, I looked up—and saw a figure. 


My vision was blurry without my glasses, so I panicked. I pulled out a toy gun and pointed it straight at them. 


“Wait! Wait, Valerie, don’t shoot! It’s me—Jayden!!” he shouted, throwing his hands up. 


“Jayden?! Dude, what the hell?! Just, just why??” I lowered the toy gun and put it somewhere safe. 


“Didn’t anyone teach you to knock? How’d you even get in?” I asked, running a hand through my hair. 


“I’m really sorry—I used the back door. It’s pouring out there and I’m soaked. Can I stay here for the night?” He gave me those stupid puppy eyes and fake-shivered. 


“Nice try. The shower’s on the left.” I pointed, unimpressed. 


He grinned and started taking off his shirt. I didn’t mean to stare, but… I did. 


My cheeks flushed deep red. He caught me. 


“You done checking me out?” he smirked. 


“N-no! I mean—yes! Ugh, shut up!” I cupped my cheeks, flustered. 


He laughed and stepped closer. I felt so small in front of him. 


“Soft lips, baby,” he whispered with a smirk, then winked and headed to the shower. 


Chapter 4