Standing there in the middle of our room, holding my shoes in one hand, my bag in the other, watching the part of you I never knew existed, I knew two things.

I knew that the reason I had never seen this side of you before was because you didn't want me, or anyone else, for that matter, to see it. I knew that the kindest thing to do right now would be to take my things and go back to the party, leave you here for a few hours to get yourself together, come back, and never talk about it again. I could let you keep your terrible, pathetic pride, forget, and carry on as before, our shaky, mismatched friendship still intact.

Or I could prove, to myself and to you, that I thought of you as the same as everyone else, that to me you weren't the green bean, the artichoke, the freak, just another normal teenage girl. I could try to break through the invisible wall, and if that meant that you cursed me or ran from me or never spoke to me ever again, well, so be it.

I could put myself on the line for you. I would never have walked away from another friend.

And even if it didn't work and I lost you in the process...well, that would be my sacrifice for never taking the trouble to get to know you before now.

"Elphie?" I sat on the edge of the bed and touched your shoulder "Are you alright?"

Instead of biting my head off like I half expected, you just looked up at me with a tear streaked face I didn't know.

The unhappiness that welled up in your big brown eyes was so pitiful my heart broke for you. I'd always known you spent most of your life wearing a mask but now I could see your acidic comments, your snide observations of the people around you, your detachment from everyone and everything... I saw it all for what it was, a tragic attempt to hide your real self away before the world could hurt you anymore.

Because god knows, it had done enough already...

"Wh-what are you doing here? I-I thought you were at a party..."

"It was boring. So I left." I stopped, choosing my words. "Elphie...can I help you?"

Another tear slid down your cheek. "Help with what?"

"Whatever's wrong. Anything. Would it make you feel better if I spread a couple of incriminating rumours about people?"

It was only a tiny smile, but it made it easier for me to breathe when I saw it.

"N-no, it's okay. Anyway, you can't help."

You turned over.

Away from me.

But I wasn't going to give up this easy.

"Elphie" I brushed away your long black hair that formed a curtain across your face, and moved closer "Please tell me"

Muffled. "No."

"Elphie, please?"

A silence.

"Look, I know I'm not as smart as you, I know I'm just the spoilt blond girl you have to room with, I know that. But we're friends. And sometimes it helps just to talk. And I'm probably the best at talking, out of everyone you know. Seriously, Elphie, I promise I won't laugh or spread it around or anything. I just want to help..."

The silence was so long, i thought you weren't going to reply.

Then "You're not just a spoilt blond..."

I smiled.

"Okay. I'll tell you. There's nothing you can do, though."

"Please?"

"Okay..."