Small lights have a way of being seen in such a dark world.—Neal A. Maxwell

[7]

I hear a person shout from behind me. I turn around and to see a very breathless Lily. I shake my head and smile at her.

"Did you seriously just run all the way here?" I inquire.

Lily nods her head. "Yup."

I softly laugh at her silliness and continue walking down the busy full halls of School.

"So..." Lily starts, "I was wondering - I know it's not your kind of thing, but..."

She stares at me for a few seconds before exploding the words out. "Do you wanna come to my birthday party? There are going to be like," Lily pauses and starts counting on her fingers, "maybe, like, sixty people? That's if people don't bring other people who bring other people who bring othe - "

"Lily!" I laugh. Lily looks up startled before shaking her head with a grin on her face.

"Sorry..." She says, smiling sheepishly.

"It's fine. I'm not sure though...I'm not really allowed to go out at night."

Ever since Lily and I have become friends I feel like I'm always lying to her. Everything I do and say are lies. She found a bruise on my leg the other day.

"How'd you do that?" Lily asks, pointing to my leg.

"This?" I question. She nods.

"Oh, well - you see, I was playing a game with David when he accidentally pushed me. I hit my shin on my bed but I'm fine. It's just a bruise anyways..."

Lies after lies. I hate lying to my friend. I know sooner or later I'll have to start ignoring her because she will become suspicious. That's the reason I'm not allowed friends. If David see's that one is being too pushy about a bruise or a cut, he'll punish me saying that I'm trying to ruin his family. So, I ignore them and save them from knowing I've been abused this whole time.

"How's the first chapter going with, Adam?" Lily asks.

"Well...actually, we haven't started yet," I say, scratching my head awkwardly.

"Oh well! you'll start soon, right?"

"Sure." The bell rings signalling next lesson.

"See you at lunch, Isabelle!" Lily skips off towards her next class. I shake my head with a smile on my face and walk to mine.

"I'm sorry!" I scream in pain when another punch is thrown to my stomach. Tears gush down my face. I try to hold them in but they always betray me.

"You worthless shit! You call this food?" Gary hisses through his teeth.

"It's a new dish, I haven't made it before. I swear I didn't purposely mean to make it taste bad..." I whimper. There is no point in pleading for him to stop. They don't show mercy.

Another punch is thrown to my stomach. I feel bile rise in the back of my throat.

"I'm going to be sick..." I whisper holding my stomach. Just as I say that, vomit spills out my mouth. Gary looks down at me disgusted.

He pulls me up by my shirt and looks me dead in the eye.

"You disgust me."

Sometimes when I sleep, I like to pretend that when I wake up, it'll all just be a dream. The wild currents of thoughts that I never have are there when I wake up. It's like my bed is the softest thing in the world, softer than a baby chook.

None of that's real though and that sucks.

"So..." Adam begins. I look him in the eye and sigh.

"The first chapter has to get the reader hooked, you know?" I say. Adam nods his head, narrowing his eyes.

"I can't believe Lily left us to write the first chapter..." I laugh softly and nod my head in agreement.

"The girl must have total faith in us," I say, rolling my eyes. Adam chuckles beside me.

"You're right there."

We start writing the first chapter together. After what seems like five hours but in reality, it is only one, we decide to take a break.

An awkward silence elopes us as we walk in the direction of the park.

"Are you going to Lily and Nolan's party?" I look over at Adam curiously.

"I don't know. Why?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "Just wondering..."

"Can I ask you a question?" I ask. Adams nods his head.

"Sure."

"You know the night where we saw each other on the cliff?" He nods his head. "How long were you standing there for?"

Adam stops and turns to look at me. His face is emotionless, it's like he doesn't want to let me in on anything.

"I heard screams and thought someone was hurt," he began. "When I got there, I saw you on your knee's crying and I kind of got curious and just watched. I don't know what you were doing. You kept looking down the cliff like you were going to jump or something..."

I frown. He could've seen me jump and kill myself. Somehow though - in a way - he saved me. I don't know if I hate him as much now.

"Also, another question?" I ask softly. Adam shakes his head in amusement.

"Mhm."

"Are you Italian or something?"

He looks down at me with a smile gracing his pink lips. I bite my own nervously. Why am I so nervous? The lucky bastard probably has the effect on everyone.

"How'd you know?" Adam fakes. I laugh at him. "Just answer my question."

"Yes, I am. On my mum's side. She was born in Italy and speaks it fluently. It's her first language."

"Can you speak it?" We come to a stop at a park bench and sit down.

"Il tempo è bello oggi."

I look up at him in amazement. Wow. I've never met someone who speaks two languages before. Just shows you how isolated I am.

"What does that mean?"

"The weather's nice today," Adam says smiling and looks up at the sky.

I look up. The sky is a soft, baby blue, white puffs of cloud swishing into it. A warmth burns into my skin, but it doesn't hurt.

"Mmm, it really is," I answer, agreeing. "You know, I still don't like you..."

Adam chuckles, glancing back down at me.

"The feelings mutual, Prezioso."