A Warrior Of Youth

Lissas POV

The next morning I didn't pick up Sandra like usual. I simply drove straight past her house like I didn't know who was inside. I had made one of my closest friends hate me. It wouldn't matter soon. Tara had already started annoying her parents with the idea of my coming to live with them. I was praying that they would let me.

Later that day Jinxx and I were coming from lunch and walking towards our music class.
"So where's Sandra today?" He asked as we entered the classroom.
I hadn't told Jinxx what had happened between us yesterday, but he about to find out cause Sandra walked into the class and stormed up to me.
"Where the fuck were you this morning?!" She said angrily.
"Well, I figured you were pissed with me, so I didn't bother" I tried to say calmly.
"You were my ride! I had to walk to school, which made me miss my first class!"
"That's not my problem. You should have taken back what you said!" I said through my teeth.
"Girls, calm down. What the hell happened?" Jinxx said tugging us towards the door.
"She said that I was using her and that apparently I have been like Benji before I got here" I said crossing my arms.
"You have though! You didn't even give this place a chance!"
"Oh just shut up! You have no idea what my life like before I came here. And how do you expect me to act?! My fucking twin brother died! Because that's not going to affect me!" I said sarcastically. "By the way Jinxx, she kissed me. Offering to come to with me to Philly and also wanting to get away from here!" I snarled.
Sandra had her head down, looking at her hands and Jinxx was in shock.
"You... kissed... Her?" He stammered to Sandra.
"Don't judge me! Don't tell me you haven't thought about it cause I can see it. The way you look at her, it's not the way you look at Sammi."
"Guys shut up!" I yelled. "It doesn't matter anymore! Soon enough I'm moving back and you'll never see me again. This will just be an insignificant part of your lives. When I leave things will return to normal" I said silencing them.
"What do you mean you're moving back?" Jinxx said confused.
"I'm moving back. With or without my parents. They are considering going back, but if not, I'm moving in with one of my friends if her parents let me."
They both just looked at me with their shocked and sad faces. "I'm sorry guys, but you can't tell me things have been better with me here" I said, then turning back into the classroom.
They followed soon after and got on with their projects.

A week later my parents had decided that we would move back to Philadelphia for my senior year.
"Are you serious?!" I shouted as we sat at the kitchen table eating dinner.
"We thought about what you said and if all of this has happened cause of us being here, then moving back would be best" my dad said, giving me a smile.
I could feel a smile spreading across my face and happy tears spilling over my cheeks.
I stood up and hugged my dad, crying onto his shoulder.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You don't understand how much this means to me!" I said between sobs.
I hugged my mom as well, whispering thank you the whole time. Once I could compose myself I excused myself to go call Tara.
My phone was shaking in my hand as I scrolled through my contacts and tapped her name.
She finally answered on the fifth ring.
"Hello?"
"Are you ready for me to come home?" I said excitedly.
"What are you talking about? Don't joke with me Lissa" she said sternly.
"I'm coming home!" I said getting teary again.
"No!" She said jokingly.
"Yes!"
"No fucking way!"
"Yes. Fucking. Way!"
"Oh my God! You're coming back?! You're coming back! When? When?!"
"Soon. I'm coming up earlier before summer starts, then my parents will be moving up after. Oh my God, it feels so good to say those words. I'm coming home!"
I chatted to Tara a little more as I started to pack a few things. I had already planned to drive myself to Philly and stay with Tara and my parents would drive up when they had secured a house. I was so overwhelmed with happiness it was like I had forgotten Ohio already.

A couple days later it was moving day for me. The school year was almost over so I had them move my exams forward so I still finished the year and could just pick up where I left off back home. I had done my rounds to Jinxx and Sandra's house to say goodbye. I had one last person I wanted to talk to before I left.
I pulled up to the house I knew to well. Where we came together and where we parted. Jake's.
I lightly knocked on the door and waited. I heard someones footsteps come towards the door just before it swung open and Jake stood before me. His face went from shocked to angry to curious.
"What do you want?" He said cautiously.
"Can we talk?" I asked.
He drew the door back further and let me walk in.
He lead the way through to his living room where it looked like he was watching a movie.
"Parents home?" I asked, filling in the silence.
"Nope" he shot as he sat down on the main couch.
"Well, uhh, I just wanted to talk to you before I left."
"You're leaving? For real?" He said sounding shocked.
"Yep. My parents finally realised what a huge mistake this was and that it would be better for me if we left."
"They realised...?" He trailed.
"They found out everything. My cutting, my eating disorder and the pregnancy... That was not a fun night" I said reliving the night and shuttering.
"I'm sorry about that. I reacted horribly. I could have handled that better" he said giving me a sad look.
"You had no handle on that. You flipped out!" I said jokingly.
"I am sorry for hitting you. It wasn't your fault."
"I know. In a way, I'm kinda glad it all happened cause then I wouldn't be going home... Jake... I do want you to know that I did love you. You made this place better for me and you actually gave a fuck about me and gave me a chance" I said trying to get him to look at me.
"I loved you too. Sometimes I wish I never let you walk away" he said, letting his face soften and remove all resentment.
I stared at him awkwardly for a second, thinking about how this conversation has turned.
"Shows how one mistake can really fuck things up" I said quietly.
"Yeah, I suppose."
"Well, it doesn't matter anymore. I hope your friends don't give you too much trouble now. I never wanted to hurt anyone, especially you. I hope things can go back to normal for you" I said starting to back out of the room to leave.
"Liss, wait" he said getting up from the couch to stand in front of me.
His beautiful chocolate brown eyes seemed to melt into mine. He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to mine before pulling away.
"It does matter. You matter to me. I'm glad I got to meet you" he said wrapping his arms around me.
"Why?" I mumbled into his chest.
"Cause I never knew I could care about someone the way I care about you. I want you to know, that day that we cornered you in the parking lot and Jinxx saved you. I was so grateful for that. They forced me to follow you out there. And me and Ella aren't anything. She just said that thinking it would make me want to do it. I have been so numb since we broke up" he ranted as his arms hugged me tighter.
"Jake..." I said trying to push him away. "I'm leaving. For good. If your trying to make me change my mind, I'm not. I care about you so much, but its part of the reason why I have to leave. You'll be better off and so will I. I will miss you the most" I said giving him a soft kiss.
He looked at me with his sad puppy dog eyes making me feel guilty. "I'll miss you too. Promise you'll still keep in contact with me."
"Promise."
He kissed my forehead then walked me out to my car. I was packed and ready to make the nine hour drive to Philadelphia.
Home.

Notes

Comments? Thoughts?
-Tina xx