"Please! Oh god, no. Oh god, help me, no. Please, mommy. PLEASE!"

They found out. It was over. There was no point in screaming back or begging, they wouldn't listen. I did anyway.

"Please don't! Please don't take her away form me! PLEASE MOMMY! PLEASE!" The tears were falling so thickly I couldn't see and my sobbing hurt my stomach it was so powerful. I hiccupped and wailed, crouched on the floor on my knees, begging. I tore at my hair, clawed my face.

"A teacher who knows you and us was concerned and told me about your relationship with Annalina. You are never to speak to her again. You are not to have any contact with her again."

"Noooo! Please mommy, no. Please! I can't say goodbye? Please just let me say goodbye."

"No. No contact."

"PLEASE! Just to say goodbye!"

"If you talk to her again, Ariadne, we will go get a restraining order on her at the police station."

"No! No no no no no no no… Please mommy, just to say goodbye? Please. Oh god, please."

"No. Get up and get in the car, we're going to her fucking house. I need to speak with her mother."

I could not obey and would have rather thrown up on her feet as I feared I might. Nausea was threatening to overcome me even as I sat shaking on the floor. The sobs were too much; I was hugging myself, terrified to fall apart. It was all wrong. They were never supposed to know. Oh god, what have I done? Oh god, help me. Don't let them take her from me. Oh god, no.

I stumbled through the house and into the waiting minivan. I bumped into everything on the way through, unable to do anything but wail and sob so hard my head spun. All the while, begging them to stop, to not take her away, to let me say goodbye.

My parents were crying on the road but mine was more violent and shuddering.

Suddenly, hatred bloomed deep in my chest. It built in intensity until I could feel it oozing out of my pores. Hatred for the wretched people in front of me.

Hatred I hadn't felt in a long time, since I was bullied in elementary school.

Hatred I wanted them to know existed, scorching my insides like an inferno.

I hate them, I hate them, I hate them, I hate them… Oh please god, don't let this happen. Please don't let them take her. I'll do anything. Please exist, please help me. Oh god, no. Oh god, no no no no…..

We pulled into her driveway and my hysteria climbed to another height as I saw the living room light on.

"Please mom! Please! PLEASE MOMMY!"

She didn't answer but left the car and ran up the steps to knock violently on the front door. I hiccupped and choked somehow on air as she stood in the doorway a moment after the door opened and she walked inside. My father was silent in the driver's seat, watching the house. My terror of my parents was the only thing keeping me seated. I was so scared…..

Oh god, what's going on? What is she saying? She was in there for what feels like hours until she came back out and into the car, sobbing almost as badly as me.

Oh Lina, Lina, Lina, Lina, Lina, Lina, Lina…

Oh god, no. Please. Please please please…. Oh god, what have I done?

The next morning came with a sore body and an aching head. My eyes throbbed and I wished only to go to sleep again and never wake in this life once more. Even as I groaned and whimpered my mind was clear.

I had to talk to her. I had to. Oh Lina, my darling, I'm sorry. Oh god, I love you.

The bus pulled up to the school and I leapt out. I was unable to get to her before the bell rung and then she was hidden in the crowd. Gym class finally arrived and I passed through the high school cafeteria. She was alone at her normal table then two of her friends sat beside her. I knew she could see me. She wouldn't raise her head. I came up behind her and rested my hand on her shoulder.

"Lina, I'm so sorry about last night. I'm so sorry. Oh god, I-" She interrupted me quietly.

"Ari, you shouldn't be here. I can't talk to you. I don't want to get in trouble." I was so surprised at her answer that I was speechless. I tried to hug her but she pulled away. She wouldn't even look at me. That hurt more than a dagger ever could.

"Fine!" I spun on my heel and walked stiffly away, stifling hot angry tears. She'll talk to me later, she's just angry about last night. I tried to reassure myself. It didn't work so well.

I got home from school and my father wasn't around. Half an hour went by as I sat in the living room, hugging my teddy bear. Suddenly both parents walked in, furious and crying.

"You didn't listen to us, Ariadne. We are going to the station right now to get a restraining order."

"NOO!"

"Yes! You didn't listen to us and now she's going to pay the price." My horror and tears began anew. How can they do this to me? I love her so much, how can they do this? She's going to hate me. Oh my god, she's going to hate me. What have I done? Oh god Lina, I'm so sorry. Oh god, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I love you. I'm sorry. Oh god, please don't hate me….