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

I was heading to my room, three doors down from Jayden’s when I remembered Mom said she’d be arriving tomorrow, not today. 


So I turned around and headed to his room to let him know. 


Right as I got to the door, I heard moaning. I froze. 


“Jay, Mom said she’d be here in... what...the fuck?” 


I swung the door open and caught my brother on top of that girl, leaving hickeys all over her neck. 


They both froze. Then apologized—especially the girl. 


“Hey, Valerie? Can I talk to you for a sec? You know… girl stuff.” I gave her a fake smile. She hesitated, but followed me back to my room. 


“What are you to my brother?” I asked, arms crossed. 


“Oh, I’m his girlfriend,” she replied nervously, trying to smile. 


I stared into her soul for a moment. "You better not be what I think you are," 


I smiled by her answer and let her go. I'll be sure to watch her every move. 


Chapter 7