Author note: poor Liz...

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Why...Why is everything I love, taken from me? What have I done to deserve this? Just when I thought I had made my first real friend, I can't be near him. Maybe Im meant to live in the shadows and suffer as I see others live happy. I guess I'll just suffer...alone...for the rest of my life.

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Saturday. I don't have to go to school today. I can hide in my room, and try to heal the wounds that have been inflicted upon me the night before. The darkness is inviting and safe. I wish I could lay there forever. Have no one talk to me. Have no one look at me. And, of course, have no one hurt me. But life doesn't grant wishes. Life is cruel. It lets people torture others. Lets people suffer for having do nothing wrong. And with the innocent suffering, the ones who do inflict pain on them, they live a happy, normal life. Life's a bitch.

A knocking on my bedroom door broke me from my thoughts. "Elizabeth?" It was Mrs. Lawson. she was the only one to call me by my formal name. "come in." I say to her, my back still facing the door.

I hear her come in, "Elizabeth, is something wrong?" Boy, was she smart.

"No. Nothing is wrong." I say in an almost robotic voice.

"Then why are you crying?"

My hand reaches my face. I hadn't even noticed the tears. Seeing them made it hurt only more. "So, tell me, what's wrong, dear?" She asked.

Mrs. Lawson, blind and oblivious to the things around her, was a sweet old woman, who only wanted the best for me. I couldn't help but to confess everything to her as I held the little black kitten for comfort (Which I named Midnight). I told her about how the "Fangirls" treat me like crap, and that her daughter was one of them. She didn't like the sound of her "Little Christina" acting unlady like to me. I even told her about how nice Al treated me, and how he was my first real friend. She comforted me, and rubbed my back as I told her my story.

"I can't believe this has been going on in my house!" she huffed. "that girl's got a spanking coming to her!" I couldn't hide my surprise, she didn't usually say things like that. she turned to me, " Your mother was my best friend. And I'll be damned if im going to let my daughter get away with this!" she took my face in her hands. "I promise that she wont hurt you anymore! And you can be with your friend!" She turned her head away, and said, "I can't believe I raised such a abhorrent child." She looked at me again, "Im so sorry, Elizabeth."

"I-It's not your fault. I-It's mine. My face is so freaking ugly, I don't blame Chris for-" I stopped when I noticed that what I was saying made Mrs. Lawson angry. "Now, you hear me, Elizabeth. You are truly beautiful. Your scars are nothing. Your eyes hold everything. And, I think Chris is envious because of that. When you go to school, show them your smile. Show them your beautiful face." She gently brushed my hair behind my ear. My whole face was exposed. And Mrs. Lawson smiled. "Show everyone, that these scars, are nothing."

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Over the weekend, Mrs. Lawson yelled, and punished Chris with every amount of energy she had in her. Mrs. Lawson was so furious, she would have destroyed the whole military with her yelling! I can still see the hatred in Chris's eyes. But it didn't matter. I know she wouldn't hurt me anymore. I wanted so bad to take Mrs. Lawson's advice, and show my face, all of it. But im still too afraid. So when Monday came around, I walked to school with half my face still covered.

I was one of the few kids that arrived early for class. Al was still not there. I took my seat near the window, and read my book. About a few minutes later, I heard the scraping of the chair next to me.

"Hey," Greeted Al.

"What's up?" I asked, smiling.

"The ceiling." He joked. I chuckled at that.

"So how was your weekend?"

"Not good. I found this helpless kitten, But Brother said I couldn't keep it." He sighed. "How was your weekend?"

"I got beat up." I smiled. His eyes widened. "But it's fine. The side that was mostly beaten on was my left. So no one can see it. And I talked to Mrs. Lawson."

"About what?" He asked. He seemed to be trying to get a look at the left side of my face, to see the burses.

"About how Chris beat me up because I hung out with you." I said nonchalantly.

"What?!" He gaped. "She did that because of me?! Im so sorry! What should I do? I don't want her to hurt you! But I want to be friends with you! I don't want us to stop hanging

out because of this. But...I guess if it's going to hurt you, and I don't want that to happen, I guess-"

"Al shut-up!" I interrupted him. I couldn't help but to laugh at him stressing out over nothing. "Mrs. Lawson took care of it. Chris is no longer a problem. We can still hang out...if you want." I looked back at my desk, feeling my face burn a little.

"I would defiantly like that." I heard him say.

"Everyone settle down, and take your seats!" Mr. Penily said, out of nowhere.

Once the class was quiet, he began to teach his lesson. Today was about poetry. "Class, I want you to write a poem. I want it to be personal and deep." He glanced at me. I ducked behind my book, and Al smiled at me. "I do not want it to be about anything stupid, like for example, ' I like cats. Cats are great.'" He glanced at Al. Al, too, blushed. "I especially do not want something that has to do with 'rump shakin' 'booty smacking' 'I want to fuck her so bad' crap. Got it?"

We all shook our heads, surprised he said "Fuck".

I looked out the window, wondering what I should write about. Al's voice broke my thoughts.

"So, would you like me to walk you home?" He asked.

"I would like that very much, Al." I smiled

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It had been a few weeks since our teacher gave us our assignment. Everyday, I would talk to Al, and know him more and more. One day, I even went to his house! I met a nice gypsy named Noa. And I cooked dinner for them. They said it was the best they had in months! Today Al was coming over my house. I have to admit, I am nervous. But excited at the same time.

We were walking home after school, talking more about...well, nothing! We always talked about random things. Today's topic, Food. We both liked noodles, and milk. Al told me how his brother, Edward, hated milk and would always throw it against the wall. Cookies were our favorite snack. Didn't matter which kind, as long as it was a cookie. We both liked the same kind of music. And we both thought that school was awesome. (I now couldn't wait to get to school because of Al.)

We were about to cross a small bridge with thick, but small walls on each side. Al hopped on the ledge, and grabbed my hand and pulled me on the ledge with him. He held my hands so I could be balanced as I walked in front of him. I didn't want to hide the huge, idiotic grin plastered on my face. I turned to see that he was looking at me kind of funny. but he was still grinning. His eyes were soft, and gentle. And his smile made my heart jump. The feeling that made me want to hold Al, was one I couldn't name. But it felt wonderful. And I didn't want this moment to end.

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Dinner was great! Mrs. Lawson was very polite, and Chris was...well, she behaved. When Al had to go, I walked him out.

"Dinner was awesome!" He exclaimed.

"Heh yeah, Mrs. Lawson cooks a mean pork chop!" I felt a little disappointed that he leaving.

"Um.." He paused, blushing. "You know that the festival of Grace is coming up right?"

I nodded. The festival of Grace was a tribute to the great and lovely Grace Wilderness. Legend has it she saved the world from the Gods by sacrificing herself to them. But sad thing in the story is, she was in love. The man she loved returned the feelings. He didn't want to her to go, but she told him that she had to. It would be selfish and she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she choose her happiness over others. But as she sacrificed herself, she was crying. Morning over the love and happy life she couldn't live. They say that on February 14th you can see, in the sky, Grace and the man she loved holding each other and that their love spreads to the whole world. Making the world, for just a day, peaceful, and in love. The legend shows that if your love is strong enough, it can survive death. One of my favorite legends.

"Well, I was wondering, if you want to, you don't have to, but it would be great if you did-"

"Al!" I chuckled.

"Oh! Right. Im sorry. Um... Would you go to the festival of Grace with me?"

I felt my mouth open with surprise. But quickly closed it. My face was burning, "I- I would love to, Al." I said grinning with joy.

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Author note: AHHHHHHH! THE CUTENESS!!...sorry. I just had to add that!