Edwin started to notice Lizz more

Edwin started to notice Lizz more. She was new to the school and was in three of his six classes. She was decently smart, but bad at math. She also enjoyed sports. Basketball the most. But she never talked to anyone else. And Edwin still hadn't the guts to ask her what she knew.

Edwin still continued to do Derek's homework and Derek still continued to abuse Edwin. Derek had recently taken to punishing the legs the most. There were scrapes and bruises all up and down them. But the weather was cool so Edwin could easily cover them with pants.

The worst one was from where Derek had shoved Edwin into one of the bathroom stall doors. It was because Edwin hadn't done Derek's homework again. And only if Edwin had been mistaken, he had seen worry on Derek's face.

And everyday at lunch, Lizz would sit across from Edwin at lunch. And everyday the two would talk. And everyday, once Lizz finished her lunch she would stand, throw it away and leave. And everyday, Edwin would wonder why.

Two weeks went by and for two weeks Edwin ignored SoccerGirlAbused. And that's when she burst. It was after dinner when he logged onto his computer. Amazingly, neither Derek nor Edwin had homework.

He saw three messages in his inbox all from the same person. SoccerGirlAbused. The first one was short and simple.

You found the outlet works so now you ignore me.

The second one was a bit longer and didn't drip with the sarcasm of the first.

You found that cutting yourself works so now you don't need anyone else. Now you can live your life alone.

Well you can't.

The words stung. Especially since he heard them in Lizz's voice, that sweet voice of Lizz's. What would Lizz say if she knew that Edwin was times gripped with the insane urge to grab the knife and cut himself again? She'd go. That's what would happen. She would disappear as quickly as she came. At least, that's what Edwin fancied to himself would happen.

The third message was longer still.

I guess you hate me now. I guess you don't think that I'm not worth your time. Or maybe that I'm crazy. That's it. I'm crazy and you don't want it to rub off on you.

Well, I don't care. I don't carry if you never speak to me again. I don't care if you even get these messages. I DON'T CARE!

Edwin stared at the computer screen. It was true. It was true that he'd been ignoring his first friend since Lizz had come into the picture. But Lizz was tangible. SoccerGirlAbused wasn't. She couldn't see him and couldn't really understand what was going on.

'Of course she can't if you don't talk to her!' his conscience shouted at him.

He replied. And he explained what was going on. He explained about Lizz and cutting. He could almost hear her remark about her being right. But almost. He couldn't put Lizz's voice to SoccerGirlAbused anymore. It just didn't… fit.

Edwin pressed the send button and then gave a heavy sigh. He'd hurt her. That's all he could think. And then an idea slithered into his head. He could hurt himself for hurting her. Edwin quickly shook his head, trying to clear himself of the thoughts but it wasn't working. The thought wouldn't disappear.

At last Edwin stood up and walked over to his sock drawer. He rummaged through the clothes in the drawer until he finally got to the bottom where the knife was. His breath caught in his throat as he pulled it out and walked over to where his lamp was. He sat down beneath it.

Edwin pulled up his sleeve and found where the first scar was. The knife hovered over it before moving down three fourths of an inch. Edwin lowered the knife to touch his skin. He pushed. And kept pushing. And there would be no one to stop him this time.

Edwin saw red around the edge of the blade and moved the blade away and saw the blood fill the thin cut. He was shaking and his breath was ragged in disbelief. His mind refused to accept that this had happened, that he had done this.

The cut was already starting to coagulate itself. Edwin stood up with the knife and examined the blade. Only a little blood was on it. Placing the knife under his bed, he intended on cleaning it up later. In the meantime, Edwin went quietly to the bathroom and washed the blood off before using some Peroxide on the cut. Finally, he placed a bandage on it.

Edwin returned to his room and just sat on his bed. What else was there to do? He felt like a wreck. Who wouldn't? He'd gone against his word, again, hurt a person. Everything was just a mess. And he couldn't fix it. That's what hurt the most. Alone he couldn't. Too many others were involved.

Sighing, Edwin rolled over on his bed and closed his eyes, trying to make the images of cutting himself go away. They wouldn't, they kept playing over and over again and again in his head. He wanted to cry, but he knew he couldn't. He'd done this to himself. He deserved the pain.

'No, you don't,' he told himself. 'The pen in mightier then the sword, after all. Brain over brawn.' Phrases such as these invaded his thoughts. But he had gone the wrong way, the way of cowards.

His thoughts were interrupted however when Derek barged into his room.

"Homework," was all Derek said. "You forgot to do it again. Once more and I'll be forced to take drastic measures."

"Like what?" said Edwin; a bit too defiantly. He even scared himself with how he had said it.

"Remember my friend the knife?" said Derek hopping on top of Edwin's back, pinning him to the bed. "We'll play knifey-forkey again."

"I'm not afraid of that knife anymore," Edwin said.

"Liar," said Derek, grabbing the pressure points on the back of Edwin's neck. "There's no need to pretend around me, lil bro. I know everything about you."

"No, no you don't," muttered Edwin so quietly even he couldn't hear it.

"Don't forget my homework again," said Derek, hopping off of the bed and walking out the door. Derek made sure to slam the door on the way out.

"I hate you," Edwin said just loud enough for Derek to hear it. Wisely, Derek ignored the remark. Edwin had picked up the knife again.

A/N: Well here's the next chapter. I don't have any excused for not updating sooner except that I'm lazy. Most of this chapter had been sitting on my computer for ages. I just need to finish it. I like the cliffhanger but I don't really like the Derek part too much. Sorry for no climax people. Went a bit different then I expected. Oh well. Please review. They give me hope!