Chapter 1: Kitty Says

Glass lay shattered all over her bathroom floor, and in the bath tub, as if trying to protect herself from the sea of sharp pieces, sat Marley with her cheap and out-dated - but functional - cell phone. She hastily dialed the number she'd called so many times, she knew it by heart. Hearing the signals go by, she hoped to God he wasn't busy.

"Hello?" she eventually heard his calm, soft voice speak, and it made her eyes tear up for whatever reason.

"It's me," she whispered. "I didn't know who else to call."

As per usual.

"What's wrong?" his voice sounded filled with worry, and made the corners of her lips point a bit upwards. "Where are you?"

She let out a sarcastic, embarrassed chuckle. "At home. Sitting in my bath tub, to be specific."

"What?" she could picture him frowning. "Are you alright? Did you call me only to tell me you're having a bath? I thought you'd done something stupid again. You really scared me there for a second."

Marley shook her head, although she was aware he couldn't see it. "I did do something stupid."

"What'd you do?"

"The thing you keep telling me I shouldn't."

She heard a deep sigh on the other line, and closed her eyes, feeling like she had disappointed him. Which she had. Him, and herself.

"I don't know what to tell you, Mar," he spoke. "I don't understand. You're beautiful. How come you can't realize that? How many times do I have to remind you? Maybe I should stop, seeing it doesn't seem to have any effect anyway."

The tears that had formed previously were now slowly making their way down her rosy cheeks, and she wondered why he ever even bothered with her to begin with.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not me you should apologize to. It's yourself," he said. "Can I just ask - what even made you start doing this to yourself?"

"Well, Kitty said that-"

"Oh, so what Kitty says, Marley does?" he asked, irritation in his voice this time.

Marley ran her fingers through her thick, brown hair and sighed. "No. I don't know. All I know is that I'm in my bath tub because the floor is covered in a million little pieces of glass. I guess I got so sick of my own reflection, I threw a shampoo bottle at it."

"Okay, I'm coming over," he immediately responded. "Are you home alone?"

"Yeah."

Click.

Always the hero. Marley honestly didn't know what she would do if she didn't have Ryder. He was the only one besides her mom that truly cared about her. Sure, her other friends in Glee club were nice and made her laugh - but they didn't look out for her like Ryder did. Ryder wanted her to take care of herself, and realize that she was good enough the way she was. The only problem was that she found it hard to believe him when he said those things. She didn't deserve him at all.

"Marley?"

Marley woke up from daydreaming when she heard her name being called, and footsteps outside the door. She was still in her bath tub, and now Ryder was here. He knocked, and she felt her heart raising.

"Come in," she called.

The door opened and Ryder peaked his head inside, looking around. He frowned when he noticed all the shattered glass, and titled his head sadly when he saw Marley. He opened the door wider, and stepped inside, holding a broom and a dustpan.

"I found these in the kitchen," he said, as he started sweeping the glass onto the dustpan and the floor slowly cleared out.

Marley watched him in awe, utterly amazed at how great he was. Well, of course she knew so already, but he continued to impress her all the time. Ryder put the broom and the pan aside and walked over to the tub, climbing in. He was now sitting across from her.

"Can't say this is all that comfy," he told, as he let his right arm hang over the edge. "I certainly hope you'll find a new hangout spot."

Marley laughed. "I can't believe you're here. I am such an idiot, haven't you had enough of me already?"

"I'll never have enough of you," Ryder replied with a smile on his face. "One simply can't have enough of Marley Rose."

"Not true," Marley shook her head. "Marley Rose has had enough of Marley Rose."

"Stop."

Ryder placed his hand on top of hers where it rested on the edge of the tub. She looked at him, wanting to apologize but knowing that's not what he wanted. God, what was wrong with her? If someone like Ryder wanted her to realize she was worth-while, why couldn't she just realize it?

"Hey, let's get out of here," he spoke, standing up. "Let's get something to eat. Something you'll actually keep down."

He reached her a hand, which she hesitantly grabbed and pulled herself up. Still holding hands, they stepped out of the tub. Ryder pulled her along, out of the bathroom and down the stairs.

"Breadstix?" he asked.

"Sure," Marley nodded as they both put on jackets and left the house.

Why he was doing this she'd never understand, but she did know she was very thankful to him.