I was still coming to terms from what happened. It was too good to be true. 'They really want to be friends with me. I thought I lost Joelle and yet not only did we remain friends but I gained a few new ones along the way.' A rush of happiness filled me inside, I smiled all the way home from college that day.

That night, I was humming away to myself as I watched TV when my phone rang, "Hmm. Who would be ringing me now." I muted the TV and reached for my phone on the table besides the couch, "Joelle?" Joelle's name was lit up on the phones screen. I immediately answered the call. "Hello, Elli." Joelle greeted me. "Hey. Is something wrong?" I asked. "Everything is fine. I just wanted to speak to you in private. I would love to do so in person but there is the issue with Kat and my family keeping me tied up here." She replied. It wasn't easy for Joelle. Her family was really strict and created all sorts of trouble for her. And on top of Kat monopolizing any time she did get for herself, Joelle was trapped. "I can't speak for long." Joelle's voice silently echoed on the otherside, "Joelle? Are you hiding?" I asked in surprise. "That doesn't matter. The twins are around today so I have to be quick." Joelle sounded serious, taking in a deep breath she continued, "I really wanted to thank you. When I was struggling with what to do, you told me to put my family first. I know that wouldn't have been easy for you. It's just like you to put someone's troubles above your own. ...I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you... But It meant so much to me. Our friendship is so very important to me. When Kat completely lost it I didn't know what to do anymore. I found myself slowly breaking under it all. I tried to remain strong but to be honest I was weak. I should have tried harder for her..." Joelle sadly breathed into the phone. Her voice was languished with pain. "Joelle... I didn't know... All this time you were seen with a smile on your face...under all that you were falling apart. I..." I choked up. I couldn't find the words to say. On the other end, the usually cheerful Joelle also sounded like she was in tears. "You only know the very basics of my family life but there is so much more. But I didn't want to burden anyone with my problems and decided to keep it a secret, even from Kat..." Joelle weakly replied.

"Joelle... I want to know everything. Please tell me. I don't want you to suffer alone." I responded, my tone etched with worry and concern for my friend. I could feel my chest tighten substantially from hearing the pain in her voice.

"Elli...Thank you. I really feel blessed to have met you. ...Everything has gotten so out of hand after what happened with Kat. For so long I tried my best to just push through...but now here I am a complete mess. ...I didn't realize just how much of an impact you made on my life until Kat told me to never speak to you again. I know I'm going against her wishes right now but she has to understand there is other people out there besides herself who are suffering." Joelle spoke in deep breaths with the occasional sob, It looked like she could barely keep it in any longer.

'Joelle... You really have put up with a lot...' My heart was with moved with pity for my grieving friend. I wished I could reach out to her and hold her in my arms. I wanted to let her know I'll always be here if she needed me.

"My parents...they never show any sort of love towards me. They forced me into all sorts of menial tasks at an early age. They pushed me to get good grades and never let me grow up like a normal kid. They shoved their dreams for the future in my face though it wasn't my dream. When the twins were born, my parents showered them with anything they asked for. They were know as mummy and daddys angels. They could do no wrong. The twins grew up believing they are better than me and always make me do their dirty work. My family always leaves everything on my shoulders while they go off and do what they want. My parents both work under Kat's family and the Job sees to it that they are hardly ever home. But that doesn't stop them from trying to interfere with my life." Joelle sounded quite bitter as she spoke.

'Wow... So that's what she meant by it's nice to be loved... Joelle... I wish you told me sooner. You are silly keeping it all to yourself.' I quietly sighed to myself.

"...My family is also against me being in a band..." Those words made me gasp, "What? They shouldn't be able to boss you around like that!" I expressed my displeasure. "They always think they can do what they want because I am their daughter... They rathered I take a job befitting of the family name. ...When I met Kat, it was the first time I got to experience happiness. We were the best of friends. Kat and Lissa treated me as if I was part of the family. It was something I wished for all my life. To have a family who loves me... But when Lissa died and Kat was no longer the girl I knew... It felt like I lost that happy family I so yearned for. I was close to giving up on myself then, but seeing how it affected Kat, I wanted to be strong for her. Little by little, I was falling apart. And now I...I just lost it." Joelle's sad voice echoed in my ear, my heart was crying out to her, It was as if I was sharing in her pain.

'These rich kids... Everyone is so envious of them but in reality they are suffering beyond belief. Their lives are far from perfect. It really is true, no one should be judged by mere appearances... everyone in one way or another is suffering.' My mind turned to that of a rather arrogant yet sometimes kind man. I recalled how he looked when I asked him his reasons for starting a band, 'Even him...'

"Joelle... You really have had a tough life. You deserve nothing but happiness but all you receive is misery. ...I'm sorry." I sadly replied. "Thank you, Elli. I really am glad you are my friend. ...I know it's a lot to ask but you have to help me bring Kat back to her senses. She has to know what she is doing is wrong. She can't keep going on like this. Kat needs to just let it go and move on with her life. Nothing she does will bring Lissa back to us!" Joelle cried into the phone.

"You are right. I just wish I knew how we could reach her. ...You are her best friend and even you couldn't. ...I still can't believe you have put up with so much and kept it hidden from Kat all this time. Why don't you tell her? Just maybe it will make her think twice about herself. ...If she really ever valued you as a friend then maybe there is a chance." I fervently explained but all I received is a sigh, "I can't tell her. There is a chance she will just shun what I say and tell me the same thing as always 'You don't understand.' It's true I don't understand the loss as she would but I can help ease the pain if only she let me..." Joelle sadly breathed.

'Poor Joelle... Putting up with this on top of her horrendous family life... What is Joelle going to do I wonder... Her family is against her being in the band...'

"Joelle... What are you going to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"About your family. Will you be able to remain in the band? ...What is your dream?" I asked Joelle what was on my mind and I was greeted with a gasp before the phone went silent. 'She probably wasn't expecting me to ask so many questions...'

"...What I've always done. I won't let my family push me. Once college is over I will leave my home. It doesn't matter if they cut my funds. I have to live my life the way I want. Honestly, I didn't know what I wanted in life. I always thought I'd grow up alongside Kat and when we finished college we would eventually get a job that allowed us to stay in contact. But then, when Kat started the music club, I found something else I loved. True, I always loved music but to put it into action as a team...it made me happy. I then realized that was my dream. Being in the band with the girls is my dream. To become successful and live on my own, to prove myself just like Kat is trying to prove herself. The girls have become my family... The only thing that could make this dream even better is Kat returning to her old self..."

'Joelle... You are an amazing person. You try so hard and have put up with so much and you still continue to chase your dreams.'

"Joelle... You really are a wonderful person. Let's always stick together! I would have been lost without you. You helped guide me to where I am now. Things may seem dim now but I'm sure if we try our best the light will shine through. We just have to keep on trying. ...And...I...I...think of you as a sister." I shyly stuttered on the phone and finally, there was a laugh on the other end. "Elli, yes. I think the same of you. Sisters always. ...Oh whoops. I didn't realize the time. I got carried away. I hear footsteps. I better go. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to me blabber on. I really appreciate it." Joelle replied in a hurry.

"Of course. I'm always here if you need me. You can depend on me. I promise. We will find a way to save Kat." I said and Joelle thanked me one last time before ending the call.

"Huh. That was totally unexpected. What a whirlwind conversation. Joelle really has it tough. Joelle and Kat... Both are facing different circumstances in life and yet both are suffering immensely... I wish there was something I can do..." I gazed at the phone, that was now silent, in my hands. I gripped it tightly and squeezed my eyes tight in frustration, 'Ah! Why is there so much suffering! If only my sister was here... She would help me understand what I should do. Lucy... Why did you leave me? Why... We did everything together but one day you just shut me out of your life and then left. Is it because you hate me...? Was it something I did...?' I ruffled my hair, half in confusion, half in irritation. 'Nothing makes sense but that's why I have to find her. She is out there somewhere. I won't give up until I find her. I must know why she just suddenly left. No matter the cost. No matter how much I suffer. I will find her!'