A Warrior Of Youth

Lissas POV

It was the day before mid semester break and I could not be more excited. Since I had told my parents everything they decided to let me go home for the break. Actual home, to Philly. I still had to get through today. I was pretty sure Andy or Jake would give me a sending off bruise or something.
When the bell rang for lunch I quickly went to go find Jinxx and Sandra.
They were sitting on the far side of the cafeteria, waiting for me.
"About time Liss" Sandra said as she watched me sit down.
"Sorry, I went the long way round so I would avoid Jake."
"Liss, you can't avoid Jake forever. He talked to me a coupl-" I cut Jinxx off not wanting to hear this again.
"Yes, I know! He said he's sorry and blah blah blah, but it doesn't change the fact the he threatened to hurt our child and that he still beats me up with Andy" I said frustrated.
"You can see it in his face that he doesn't want to" Jinxx added.
"I don't care! If he didn't want to do it, he wouldn't."
"She's right Jinxx. Just cause you want to try and maintain some kind of friendship, doesn't mean you can defend him. I mean you can, but don't bother defending him against Lissa"
"Thank you Sandra. I'm just glad I get to go home for a bit."
"I can't believe you are leaving us during the break! Where are you gonna stay? Can't exactly go home" Sandra whined.
"I'm staying with one of my friends. I talked to her the other night. She said it has been weird without me there" I said half smiling.
"That's good Lissa. Means they miss you!" Sandra said excitedly.
"You'll have fun when you go" Jinxx said, also half smiling at me.
"I hope so"

Jinxxs POV

I didn't want her to go. I don't know why. I just had a bad feeling.
I tried to push those thoughts away cause I knew how much she hated herself right now and seeing people that love her will make her feel better.
After lunch we all made our way to our music class. That class had become a struggle. This class was half the reason I had tried to remain friends with Jake. The other half was that we've known each other forever and he was my best friend.
Lissa went straight to her usual keyboard, Sandra to her drum kit and I joined Jake in the back corner, grabbing my guitar on the way. We tuned them in silence then I started strumming to the tune we had been working on with Andy. Jake soon joined in with me. I knew was enjoying himself. When it was just us, no Andy or Lissa talk, we were fine.
When we had reached the end of the song we could overhear someone playing My Immortal by Evanescence on piano. We both knew who it was.
We put our guitars down and peaked through to the main room where Lissa was. Mr Evans was assessing her on for her mid semester grade. So far, she hadn't missed a note.
I looked over at Jake and I noticed a tear slide down his cheek.
"Are you crying Jake?"
"What?! No!" He said quickly wiping it away.
"You feel bad don't you?"
"Nahh, I just remember her playing that song when we first hung out. She only got through the first verse, otherwise she'd cry."
"Now you're the one crying" I teased.
"Shut up."
Lissa finished the song and looked up at Mr Evans.
"Was that okay?" She asked in a quiet voice.
"That was brilliant! Lissa, you have serious talent. After the break, I want you to compose your own work. I feel like you have so much inspiration to draw from, let it fuel you instead of drag you down. Yes. I notice these things" he said giving her an intense look.
"Hey, umm has Lissa been okay?" Jake asked me as he pulled me back to our guitars.
"She's okay. Freaked out a bit after the abortion, cut herself like crazy when she heard me and Sammi fighting, but otherwise she's fine."
"What do you mean cut like crazy?" He said panicked.
"I mean, locked herself in the bathroom and mauling her stomach with a razor! That's what I mean. Then her parents found out."
"Found out what?"
"Everything. The pregnancy and the cutting. She's been clean for a bit now. They are letting her go to Philly over the break. Get her away from all of us" I said sighing.
"She deserves it" he said simply.

Lissas POV

The morning couldn't come fast enough, but finally I was going home. I was booked for an early flight, so I had to be ready by 5 am, but I couldn't be more excited. I dressed in a black, straight cut maxi dress and threw my denim vest over the top.
Getting off the plane to Philadelphia airport was the best feeling.
My best friend Tara was waiting for me at the gate and I couldn't contain my tears.
"LISSA!" She screamed.
"TARA!" I screamed back as I ran to hug her.
"Oh my God it is so good to see you! I have been so lost!" She said as she pulled away.
"You've been lost? Puhh-leasse, I've been going crazy! Its like snoozville over there! Thank you for saving me!" I said giving her the biggest smile possible.
"Oh my God, I've missed you like crazy kid!" She said pulling me towards the baggage claim.
"I've missed you! You don't understand what it's like there!"
I filled Tara in on how boring Ohio is and how different it was to Philly, but I couldn't tell her how much I had changed. I was a different person. I was more like Benji, than myself. But being around Tara brought my old self back out. How I was happy-go-lucky and loved to have fun all the time.

Within the first week of me being back home, me and Tara went on our usual adventures. Hang out in malls and piss of the security by riding in the shopping carts, leave notes on cars saying there was a dent. One thing we use to do was make vlogs together. We'd travel to a random park, beach or even schools and just do random stuff.
We had made a new vlog of us hanging out and when we finished up we stopped at a cafe to grab some lunch.
"Oh my God! I forgot how much fun we had making those!" I said as we took a seat at an outside table.
"I know! Dude, do you have to go home? Can't you just live here again? How good would it be for you to move back for senior year!"
"Tara that would be amazing! I can't tell you how sad it makes me that I'm not" I said leaning back in my chair.
"Surely you can convince your parents."
"I doubt it. They have tried to keep a close eye on me."
"Why? Cause of Benji? You're nothing like Benji" she scoffed.
I felt my face drop. She couldn't be more wrong. "Can I tell you something? Like, I'm being completely serious" I said composing my face.
"Okay" she said a little unsure.
"I hate it there."
"I know you do."
"No, I mean, I really hate. I wanna kill myself, hate it. The kids at the school beat me up. I have ruined some of their lives. I've destroyed their relationships and friendships! I haven't been myself the whole time I've been there! They have made me into someone I hate" I said remembering who I would be again when I go back.
"Lissa... Why didn't you tell me it was that bad?"
"Cause I don't want you to feel sorry for me. But, don't worry, I'm seriously gonna talk to my parents about moving back here. I feel like I need to" I said giving her a small smile.
In return a smile spread across her face.
If only I could believe my words like she did.

Tara hugged me as the PA system announced my flight was boarding.
"I'm gonna miss you so much!" She said almost crying.
"Me too" I said with tears already rolling down my face.
"Call me as soon as you land" she said clutching my hands.
"I will, promise."

Little did I know that would be that last time I saw her.

Notes

So I think I might wrap this story up soon. I made this chapter extra long just to fit some stuff in. Next probably will be as well.
I feel like I've put so much drama in this story that I needed Lissa to forget it and go home for a bit. Show you guys what she was like before. Being the popular kid, she was happy, instead of who she had become.
Let me know what you think, always curious.
I'll admit, this story was harder to write. I'm sure majority of us have experienced some or all of the feelings and things Lissa went through. So let me know if you related to this in any way, and what you think.
Comment?
-Tina xx