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“Life is tough, my darling, but so are you.”

~♡~

“Are you ready kids?

Aye Aye Captain

I can’t hear you!

AYE AYE CAPTAIN

Oohh...

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

Spongebob Squarepants!

Absorbent and yellow and porous is he!

Spongebob Squarepants!

If nautical nonsense be something you wish

Spongebob Squarepants!

Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish!

Spongebob Squarepants!

READY?

Spongebob Squarepants

Spongebob Squarepants

Spongebob Squarepa-”

Hastily reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I get out of my slumber to stop my alarm. With a groan, I roll over to see the time on the screen and as per usual, it was 6 am.

I was just used to getting up that early because doctors said I was insomniac. I had secondary insomnia, which, medically proves that the stability in my mental health was low. Something that concerns my mom more than me.

Yes, I’d been less socializing, less outgoing and less interactive but that was not some serious issue to ponder upon. It was a period of change for me and a change can also be looked at in a better way.

After cleansing myself, I wore fresh clothes and got out of the bathroom. I brushed my hair and pulled it into a loose ponytail that hung low on my head. Brushing the strands of hair that fell on my cheeks, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.

My mom had a night shift, so she’ll not be home until the afternoon so I decided to make some breakfast for myself.

I heated a glass of milk and boiled a few eggs. I grabbed my favourite Greek yoghurt that my mom left and settled down on the table. After eating them, I glanced at the clock if I had the time to wash the dishes. Realizing that I was already running late because I had to walk, I thought I’d just leave the task for the evening.

Mom isn’t here to drop me so I either had to walk or take a bus. My school was not in closer proximity so I don’t generally walk. But since I left home early, I decided that I’ll walk to school. I don’t have any hurry in reaching school so there’s no point in hurrying.

It's a disappointing fact that I have no friends. After a certain chain of events last year, I decided I should never believe anyone with a blindfold on my face.

Last year, the bunch of friends who I had, have forced me to cheat a girl in our school. Parker, the guy who blackmailed me, wanted me to get closer to a girl, Sapphire, and then get her trapped.

He had his personal grudge towards her boyfriend, Sean Lanter, who happened to be a better person in all the fields. Like said, perfection cannot be handled by everyone.

Parker, who forced me into doing the deed had blackmailed me to destroy my life if I hadn’t listened to me. And what he blackmailed me with is something I don’t want to reminisce right now.

Sapphire, the only genuine friend I made, and her boyfriend, were pretty close to Brett. And because I betrayed them, Brett hated me more than anyone.

As the thoughts ran through my brain, I hadn’t realized that I was in the middle of the road and a car was speeding up against me. With a sudden realization, my body didn’t budge, though the horns blazed from the car.

As my protective instinct kicked in, I braced myself with my hands and yelped. I felt something hard hit my knees and I fell down on the ground. My head hit the hard concrete floor and it began to throb. I heard the door of the car being opened and closed, as I clutched my head.

When I felt the liquid in my hands, I tried not to panic looking at blood. I heard a few curses coming from the driver and I glanced up.

~ ♡ ~

“Brett, please hurry.” Sapphire, who was holding a cloth at my head, pressed it harder to stop the blood on my forehead.

“Pretty girl, calm down.” Sean, who helped me in getting into the car a few minutes ago, looked over his shoulder and glanced at his girl.

“I can’t. She’s bleeding and the blood doesn’t stop.” Sapphire said, looking at me, concerned.

“I told you I’ll drive,” Sean said, addressing Brett, who was driving aimlessly on the road.

“Don’t blame me for this.” He said. “She has to be careful while crossing the road.”

“Brett,” Sapphire said. “It’s not the time for this. Just head to the nearest hospital.”

Brett nodded and increased his speed. By the pace of his car, I was just wishing I don't die in a car accident. Speed always sort of creeps me out, but since I had no voice at the moment, I tried to stay put and calm.

We soon arrived in the hospital and everything after that happened in a blink of my eye. They took me to the ER though Brett said they were being unreasonable. The doctors who attended me said that I had a deep cut on my forehead.

After my treatment, I earned a few stitches and a thick cotton band-aid on my forehead and another on my left foot.

“Are you feeling better?” Sapphire asked me once she entered the room after the doctors left.

The guys were nowhere within my sight so I’m guessing they’re outside.

“Yes.” I nodded.

She sighed in relief. “I was so scared. There was so much blood and I thought you had to undergo a surgery or something.” I smiled at her genuine innocence.

I wondered how I could ever hurt this girl.

“Brett called your mom a while ago so she’ll be here any moment.” She said. “Is there anything you need me to do?”

“No,” I said. “Thank you so much for doing this.”

“You don’t have to thank us for this. We ran into you-”

“No,” I said. “I was roaming around in the streets. I needed to be careful-”

“Chloe?” I heard a voice coming from the side of the door. I looked around and found my mom. When she saw me, she hurriedly walked over to me. Brett and Sean followed her and Sapphire stepped back to make room for my mom.

My mom rushed to me and enveloped me into a hug. “I’m so sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

“Don’t apologize, mom,” I said. ”I’m

sorry for being so careless.”

“I hope you’re alright now.” She said, kissing my forehead.

I nodded, clutching her palm that held my face. “I am.”

“We’re extremely sorry for the accident, Mrs.Morgan,” Sapphire said. “Our attention drifted until we almost ran into Chloe-”

“No, it’s not your fault,” I said. “I wasn’t looking where I was going. In fact, I’m glad you controlled the car in time. It’s difficult to control the car at that speed.”

“I’m glad Brett hit the brake on time,” Sapphire said, glancing over at him.

“Well, the good thing is you're alright.” My mom said. "Thank you, kids."

“You don’t have to, Mrs.Morgan. It was our fault.” Sapphire smiled. “Chloe’s our friend. Friends help each other, don’t they?”

I couldn’t believe how someone could be so nice even after they’ve been through so much. Sapphire had to be victimized for baseless things which didn’t even involve her in the first place.

Yet, she cares about me. After everything I’ve done to her.

“When can she go home?” My mom asked.

“She can leave after the formalities are over,” Sean said. “You must sign the discharge letter and talk to the doctor for that, Mrs.Morgan.”

“Oh yes.” She said. “I’ll see to that.”

Brett, Sean and my mom left, leaving me with Sapphire.

When she caught me staring at her, she just smiled and I returned it.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked weakly.

She frowned. “Doing what?”

“This,” I said. “How can you forgive me after everything?”

She smiled. “I found no point in holding grudges against someone who was just as innocent as any forced person would be.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I know why you did, what you did.” She said. “I know what Parker did to you.”

I widened my eyes when she said that. So, she knows what Parker did to me? That I’ve been forced into this?

“H-how do you know it?” I asked.

“Sean had fished the truth from him last month. I must say, he’s a disgusting human to do that to you.”

“It’s nothing compared to what he did to you,” I said.

“At least, Sean saved me in time.” She said. “But no one was there for you.”

I closed my eyes to blink the tears that were forming. She was bringing back the old memories that I had suppressed in my brain for so long. I don’t want to think about it because they’ve been a few of the darkest days of my life.

“Thank you,” Sapphire said.

I frowned. “Why?”

“For saving me that night.” She said.

“I didn't-”

“I know that you took the spiked drink for me.”

I stopped mid-air from continuing. I’m shocked that Parker actually told her everything.

That night, Parker asked me to give her a spiked drink so that she’d be unconscious. But, my mind didn’t allow me to do it. Though I was aware of the consequences, I took the drink.

“I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn't done that for me.” She said.

I sighed and leaned back on the bed.

“Who else knows about this?” I asked her.

“Sean and I.” She said.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked.

“Yes?” She said.

“Will you promise me not to tell this to anyone?”

“Why?”

“I don’t want anyone to know this.”

“But our school hates you for doing this, Chloe. If the actual truth is out, the misconceptions will be cleared.”

“I don’t want this to be out. Please. Can you promise me?”

“I don’t think-”

“Please, Sapphire.” I insisted.

She sighed and nodded. “If that’s what you want, then okay. I’ll promise you. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

I don’t want anyone to know what happened to me. I don’t want them to look at me with pity and uncalled sympathy. I don’t need it at the moment.

My focus is entirely on one thing. Score a good GPA with a good score in the SAT. And then, I’d fly away to a university. I don’t want any revenge or grudges that would come in my way.

It had already been a great ride with way too many hurdles. I’ve been accustomed to them, but I don’t desire anything more. I just want to leave everything behind.

Even if it means that I'll have to leave Brett behind