Ah, I'm so sorry this took so long! I feel so bad D:

And Alisha, sorry, but you need to reeeaaadddd, cuz I gave you a warning and you didn't listen, bro. Not cool.

||Robbie||

'I'm not letting go until you stop crying,' I tell, as she wails into my shoulder. My parents had told me before what Cat meant. I just can't believe it happened to this girl. I looked down at her head, magenta hair draping over her skull. In the occasional times I saw her exit her house, she had a bright smile on her face, effervescent and charming.

It wasn't a fun sight to see her like this. Bandages wrapped around most of her body, blood stains visible. I don't know what monster would do such a cruel thing to such an angel. I had to admit it, she was beautiful. Her face shaped round and perfect, her skin (apart from the cuts), smooth and clear. I loved her eyes, her big brown eyes. I'd seen them only a few times, but they always shimmer with hope and glee. It was strange to see them filled with pain and fear.

Cat let out one loud cry into the cuff of my shirt, causing me to hush her and pat her back gently.

'Sh...Sh…Cat,'

'I can't stop think about it,' Cat tells between sharp, quick breaths. She brings her eyes to mine, irises glistening in the worst way. The veins in her eyeballs were a bright red, and her eyes puffed and swollen. 'The way he whispered. The way he forced my hand. How he forced his hand. The way I screamed when he sliced my flesh open. I'll never be able to sleep again, Robbie,'

She continues crying, making my shoulder damp and salty. But I don't mind. I feel a sense of protection. I don't think I had ever talked to Cat in my life before this, and I really regret that. She seems like a genuine girl, who was the wrong place at the wrong time. I can't even imagine the fear she must've felt, being forced to do something so evil, so sinister.

'What are we doing? We're like, strangers,' Cat asks into my shoulder. That is an excellent question. What are we doing? It's not like we've known each other for years or whatever. We've practically just met, and here we are at 2:36 am, together, in her room, with her crying, and we're only ten.

'I'm helping,' I finally utter out. I try not to make it sound too weird, but I don't do a very good job. I'm doing my best to help, even though I'm not sure it's doing and good. I mean, I guess it should feel good to know that someone will be there to catch you if you fall. I'm not sure if it's creepy or seemingly stalker-ish to do this to someone you basically met. But that won't stop me from doing it.

'Yeah?' Cat lifts her head, and directs her eyes to mine. Her eyes are just gorgeous. It's amazing how much they make me smile.

'Yeah,' I nod and smile.

Cat & I grew extremely close after that night. She would sneak into my bedroom window every evening so I could hold her. Every night she spent alone ended in screams and cries of pain and fear. It made me feel so powerful to know that Cat can't live without me. She's such a sweet girl, and I'm the one keeping her alive.

She's still horrified, even after six years. Every time she closes her eyes, she sees his wild eyes. She only ever calms down in the comfort of my arms. It's horrifically strange to have a power like that in my hands. The first night, Cat managed to fall asleep while I rocked her back and forth. I feel asleep as well, and that kind of started a system: She would come in, and we would fall asleep together so nothing could hurt her.

But, of course, only we were the ones who knew this. Who knows what would happen if our parents find out that two kids who were strangers spent a whole night together, crying with each other? Especially now, since all those stupid teenagers are sleeping around and getting pregnant and all that. Besides, I would never do that to Cat.

To be completely honest, I kind of have developed a tiny, weensy little crush on her. Just maybe I like her. Maybe just a little bit.

But it's not like I'm ever going to tell her that. That would just be awkward. Life seems to have gotten slightly better. Except for the fact she cut. She would thrust a razor into her skin almost every night. And it was a shame I found out by looking at her arm. And now, every night I check her arms for signs of cuts or self harm. Three years clean. I'm so proud of her.

She now takes her loss as a gain in strength. They always say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And Cat's taken that into account now, probably with the new atmosphere and sense of security. You see, about three years ago, Cat's father (who still doesn't know about her ordeal) gained a business promotion, and that meant moving to Los Angeles.

And of course, Cat didn't take it very well. She got so confused. She exclaimed that she couldn't live without me in front of her and my parents. And I think that's the moment I fell. That moment….that just warmed my heart so much. I guessed I was blushing to the point to where it looked like a tomato. She made me feel so needed. So loved. It gave me a fuzzy feeling inside that made my heart pound. And I guess that's how I knew.

At first, our parents were like freaking out cuz they thought we were secretly dating or something like that. But, we managed to convince them it was because our friendship was so strong. So, my mother and father decided to move with Cat and her family.

My family rented an apartment exactly one floor below Cat's, fortunately having a fire escape for easy sneaking. I'm still amazed she's managed to sneak in almost every night for the past six years. But I guess it's not like every single night has been perfect and we've gone the whole time without a few bumps.

But she doesn't sleep over. And others don't sleep over. Don't get me wrong, Cat's a social butterfly; she just has a hard time sleeping or being in a dark room without protection. Which I find slightly strange, considering she's best friends with the scariest person I know.

And that brings me to school. We both attend a performing arts school; Hollywood Arts. Cat immediately made a billion friends, and I was kind of alone. I only had two real friends besides Cat. And even they tease and ridicule me. One has long hair and is seen to be 'attractive' to most girls. The other is obsessed with music. It's kind of nice to be seen with somebody that girls like, because it kind of makes me feel like I'm getting some attention.

As it was inevitable, we grew apart slightly, and barely saw each other. There were a few instances when I had to go a whole week without seeing her at school. In the day, Cat was a distant stranger, but at night, she was my best friend. I'd become quite close with her brother, who suffers from the same disease she does, only is affected a lot more.

Cat's my best friend. And I'll never be the same without her.

It was just a regular gloomy day in the Hollywood Hills, and I was lounged on the Valentine's couch, watching 'Celebrities Underwater'. Cat was sitting on the other side, with her legs slung over mine. She seemed to be using the television on as background music to the sound of her tapping thumbs on the phone screen. She's probably texting her friends.

'Yo, Kitty, we got the whole day to ourselves,' I tap her leg with mine, trying to break the trance between her and her PearPhone. Both of our families are out today, so Cat and I have the whole day to ourselves.

She doesn't even look up.

'Kitty.' I repeat, trying to catch her attention. She raises her phone so it blocks her face. God, 'Kittaaay.'

'What?!' she questions, annoyed.

'We have the whole day to ourselves,' I tell her, sitting myself up.

'And?'

'Aaaanddd…..we're going to do something with it. Come on, get up,' I hold both my hands out to her. She sighs and rolls her eyes before taking my hand and standing up.

'So, what are we doing?' That is an excellent question. I really have no idea what we could do. I guess we could see a movie, go skating, go bowling. Oh wait, that's a great idea!

'We are bowling,' I tell her, leading her out the door.

'Bowling?' she questions as I lock her door with my key.

'You heard me,' I sling my arm around Cat's shoulder and smile. She giggles slightly and turns to face me.

'You know I suck right?'

'Yep. That's what will make it so fun' I bounce off towards the brass elevator, chuckling to myself. It was very true. Cat was absolutely horrible at bowling, but she wasn't bad enough for it to be awful, just enough to be entertaining to watch.

'Meanie,' she tells me, faking a pout. I laugh to myself.

'Now now, what did I say about names, Kitty?' I waggle my finger at her as if she was a child as she presses the elevator button.

'Stop calling me Kitty!' she protests, stomping her feet.

'Sorry, Kitty,' I tease, poking my tongue out at her playfully. She retaliates by sticking her middle finger up at me. 'Now now, no need to get feisty,' I pat her finger down as she giggles. Wow, Cat. That wasn't cool. I hate pretending that I'm fine with things.

The elevator dings, and we step into it together. A wave of silence comes over us. The elevator jolts as it descends.

'I'm sorry about that,' she tells me, her eyes full of guilt.

'Nah, don't worry about it,' I swing my head over to face her.

'No, that was uncalled for,' she apologizes, pouting. I sigh.

'I don't care.' I tell her, punching her arm gently.

'And that's what I love about you,' she chirps, smiling widely.

Ugggghhhhh. Why does she keep doing this to me? It's hard enough having a crush on your best friend, but the fact that she loves you makes it worse. Sigh.

I smile at the ground like some douchebag who isn't doing a very good job of hiding his feelings. Oh wait, that's what I am. But my stupid brain still hasn't told my stupid heart whether or not I love Cat more than a friend.

I repeat: ugggggghhhhh.

Yeah, yeah, this chapter sucked but idc.