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

Sometimes I wonder… is Valerie really okay? I know she’s struggling, but is she really okay? 


Come to think of it, she’s never mentioned anything about her parents—and I’ve never asked. 


Who knows? Maybe they’re out of the country, or maybe… 


It’s really sweet how Jayden keeps caring for me. But sometimes… it feels selfish. 


We’re on vacation, which means more time alone, and more time to hurt myself. 


It’s not like I want to, but I can’t help it. It always feels… relieving. 


When I’m with him, I don’t get to cut much. And now, I’m about to meet his parents. I should be excited… but instead I’m terrified. 


I stare into the mirror. I hate everything I see. 


No matter how hard I try, I never feel like I’m worth anyone’s time. 


My scars, my eye bags, the cooking burns, the weight—I hate it all. I don’t look like other girls. I could never tell Jay how 


When we got to his place, I was shook. Like, how does a jock like him live in a house this huge? 


We settled in, got some food. Everything was going great—until someone knocked. 


I got up and opened the door. A woman stood there. She looked exactly like Jayden. 


"Where’s Jayden?” she asked. “Inside,” I said. She didn’t wait, just brushed past me and hugged him. 


“Hey Mia, meet Valerie, my girlfriend,” he said. “Valerie, meet—” 


“Yeah yeah, I get it. She’s some random girl you’ve known since childhood.” I cut him off and stormed to the room. 


Time passed, and he was still chatting it up with her. I wanted to hit her in the face—but then I remembered what everyone says about me: 


You’re weak, clingy, stupid. Ugly. Trash. A second choice. A mistake. 


—Baby, did you miss cutting? Miss throwing up? Come on… you can start over. 


—I made you feel safe when your mother died. 


Just 20 slashes, baby. You know the drill. 


I went to the bathroom, found the razor. 


I’m… a… useless… person… good for nothing… no one will ever love a disgrace like me… 


I cut, one word at a time. Twenty-six times. 


Then I cleaned the wounds, bandaged them, scrubbed the bathroom… and tried to sleep. 


Music played in the background, but the voices were louder. 


—That’s my girl. Gloomy face and all. Keep cutting and purging. I’m proud of you. 


Then… Jayden walked in. He hugged me. 


“Jay, who is she?” I asked. “That’s my twin sister,” he said. 


I looked up at him with my best puppy eyes, and he chuckled. 


“What, you thought she was someone else?” he teased, kissing my neck. 


A few soft moans escaped my lips as I nodded. 


“Aww, baby. I only have eyes for you. No girl could ever replace an angel like you.” 


“Jayden, Mom said she’ll be here in—WHAT THE FUCK?!” 


Mia had barged in, clearly thinking it was just Jayden in the room… and found me underneath him. 


Chapter 6