How To Save A Life by T. S (buy e reader .txt) 📕

I felt numb. All my feelings had died – just like her. They were never coming back. What was the point of caring about anything? What was the point of living when we’re all going to die anyways? All around me people were crying and sobbing hysterically. There was no point to crying. It wouldn’t bring her back. She was gone forever.

I should have been sad. I should have been angry. Heck, I should have felt something. But no. I had lost the ability to feel.

“... She was a hard worker and always tried her best at all her subjects...”

“...We used to talk at school, we were very close...”

“...She had such a bright future in front of her...”

“...She’ll be missed dearly...”

It seemed that everyone had something to say.

‘Funny when you’re dead how people start listening.’

 I never realized the truth behind those lyrics until now. These people were all frauds. They had never once given her a second glance – and now when she was dead, she’s automatically everyone’s best friend. No one knew her like I did – no one.

Now there was a hole in my heart that no one could fill.

As I looked down at her tombstone, numbness coursed through me again. How had this happened? Why didn’t I stop her? Why didn’t she tell me?

Hesitantly, I turned and walked away from her grave.

‘I walk these empty streets on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams... I walk alone.’

-----

“Mara! Get up now! You’re going back to school today!”

Groaning in frustration, I freshened up and got ready for school. I hadn’t even bothered to go to school for the past month. There was no point – I was just going to be surrounded by people who would pity me. I did not want nor did I need pity.

“Mum! Can I get a ride to school?” I called.

“I’m leaving right now so you better get down now!”

Pulling my hoodie over my head, I grabbed my things, sprinted downstairs and jumped into my mum’s car.

“You’re lucky I didn’t leave.” She said as she pulled out of the driveway.

“You wouldn’t have left me anyway. I’m too special.” I said half-heartedly attempting a joke.

“You are too delusional young lady.” She replied laughing.

“Oh yea, Mum, can you drop me off at - ” A wave of sadness hit me with the force of a thousand rhinos. I was just about to mention her. Why couldn’t I forget? I needed to forget.

I felt like I was stuck in a reoccurring nightmare. How could I forget sixteen years worth of friendship?

The atmosphere in the car had gone tense and awkward. My mother didn’t even bother to break the tension; instead she let me wallow in my guilt and pain up until we reached school.

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“Bye.” I mumbled as I got out and nervously walked into the school.

As soon as I walked through the corridor, whispers and stares immediately started.

“...I heard she’s messed up...”

“...Eww she looks like a Goth – she probably cuts...”

“...I feel sorry for her...”

“...Leave her; she probably just wants our pity...”

Class was a million miles away. I couldn’t get there fast enough.

As soon as I got into my Astronomy class, everything went silent. Internally, I groaned. I was already regretting coming to school today.

“W-welcome Miss Buchanan.” Mr Jones said uncertainly as I walked into the room.

Instead of hollering back at him, I silently walked to the back of class and sat down in isolation. Eyes were glued to me shamelessly with apprehension and curiosity. What was with these people? Why can’t they just mind their own businesses?

Class dragged on pain-stakingly slow. By the time I had the nerve to spare a glance at the clock, I was filled with disappointment. I still had at least thirty minutes left until the end of class. Sighing quietly I resumed my daydreaming. I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn’t realize that someone had entered the classroom.

“Class, this is our new student, Austin Parks. Be sure to make him feel welcome. Take a seat Austin.”

Immediately, Mr Jones introduced him, the popular girls, sluts and geeks alike began to check their appearance and fix their make-up. The jocks stiffened and shifted intimidating. I had yet to look at him but I could tell he must have been really attractive.

My body visibly stiffened when I felt someone settle down next to me.

“Hey, I’m Austin.” Said a deep, masculine voice from next to me.

It almost sounded like he was talking to me. Was he? No. I was kidding myself. Why would anyone want to talk to someone like me?

He definitely must have been talking to someone else – probably a slut. So instead of replying, I began doodling mindlessly on a blank page in my book.

Suddenly, I felt a light tap on my shoulder, making me jerk up in surprise.

Upon, looking up, I came face to face with the richest brown eyes I had ever seen, a lightly tanned face and extremely handsome features. Hair that was almost black as night, a jaw that was chiselled to perfection, and a pierced lip that could only be described as drool worthy.

He was clad in a black, sleeveless leather jacket, a Black Veil Brides white sleeveless top that showed off a tattoo of a gorgeous scorpion that wove around his bicep and black jeans.

But the thing that made me catch my breath was the smile that was being sent my way.

It wasn’t a mocking smirk nor was it contemptuous. It was a genuine smile. I felt something inside me grow warm. This was the first time in the last few months that someone had authentically smiled at me. It almost made me feel normal again. 

“Hey – again. I was talking to you, you know.” He said teasingly.

My eyes widened in surprise. So he was really talking to me after all!

“Um... Hi.” I said quietly.

“I’m Austin.” He said, ignoring my empty tone and introducing himself again.

“Mara.” I replied bluntly.

His eyes widened a fraction before his initial shock was masked with his cool facade.

 Oh great. I can imagine all the rumours that he would have heard of me already.

“Oh so you’re Mara. I’ve heard loads about you, and I’ve only been in this school one day.” He said going straight to the point.

A small smile grazed my lips. I liked people who go straight to the point.

Wait – what did he say? My body went cold when I had processed what he had said.

“Things like what?” I asked, ice lacing my tone.

He studied me vigilantly before answering.

“Well, a little birdie – no scratch that – a little whore told me that I should stay away from you, that you’re depressed, you’re  a geek, you’re an emotional wreck and lastly, you’re a loner.” he said with his eyebrows raised, studying my reaction.

“Isn’t this your que to call me a freak, call me ugly and walk away, never to speak to me again?” I asked expectantly.

His lips curled into a perfect smile.

“Nope.” He said popping the ‘p’.

My heart leapt into my throat. Did I just hear him right?

“W- What?” I asked flabbergasted.

“I’m serious. You seem different. You’re not like everyone else, and I like that. You have a mysterious aura that draws everybody in, and believe it or not, all those people who are whispering behind your back, are just enticed by you.” He said lightly.

Although he said all of that in a breezy tone, I could tell that he meant every word.

But I couldn’t have any friends. Not yet. I wasn’t emotionally stable yet. I couldn’t let myself to get close to anybody.

“Yes you can.” I heard his deep voice say.

Did I just say that out loud?

“Yes you did, and you just said that out loud as well.” Austin said, with an amused tone.

“Oh sorry,” I said, my face burning with embarrassment “I’m just – not... right.”

He looked at me confusedly, urging me to go on.

 “Trust me; you don’t want to get involved with me. I’m messed up and – I don’t think I could ever be happy again.” I said, adding the last bit as a whisper.

His eyes bore into mine searchingly. His brown orbs were stripping me bare and I was scared. I was scared because he seemed like a curious person – a person that would soon learn about what I did...

Chapter Two;

--Austin’s POV--;

For the duration of that day, Mara and I hung out. For some reason, I was as enticed in her. Maybe it was because of her wavy, really dark purple – obviously dyed - hair or her beautiful, sharp yet delicate features or even her icy blue eyes. From the moment I set foot in the school, I had automatically heard her name. She was the talk of the school yet she was so quiet.

As soon as I stepped into the school that morning, I was attacked by a group of girls. Well not technically attacked... more like rugby tackled. But as I tried to escape them, I caught sight of a petite figure, with her head down speeding along the hallway. Ever since then I had been curious as to who that was.

------

“C’mon, let’s go to lunch.” I said as I grabbed Mara’s hand. Tingles shot up my arm as her hand clasped mine but I ignored it. For now, I just wanted to be her friend. She looked like she needed someone and also, we had just met.

All eyes turned on us and all conversation ceased as we walked into the cafeteria together. Mara squirmed under their gazes and shuffled behind me timidly. Obviously she wasn’t comfortable under their scrutinizing looks.

 Confidently, I walked towards the lunch line with her behind me. After we had gotten our food, we walked to an empty table at the back of the cafeteria and began eating and conversing.

“Hello. It’s Austin isn’t it?” I heard a high pitched, squeaky voice from behind me.

I felt Mara tense as I turned around. Upon turning, I came face to face with a Dorito. No lie. Standing behind me was a girl with far too much make-up and too tight clothes. Her tan was so much that it made her look absolutely ridiculous. She looked like a cross between Mick Jagger and Crusty the Clown – trust me, that’s not a nice combination.

“Umm... Yea.”  I replied nonchalantly.

“I’m Leah.” She said, trying to smile seductively at me. Well that was a fail.

“Hmph.” I couldn’t be bothered to give her a full reply. She was annoying me already.

“Here,” She said, pulling out a small card from inside her – extremely padded - bra,  “You can have my number. Call me up if you want some... better company.”

I didn’t miss the glare that she sent towards Mara.

“Nah, I don’t want it.” I said waving her off dismissively. I heard a gasp of frustration and the click of heels as Leah walked away.

I watched Mara relax as a small, barely noticeable smile graced her lips. That was the first time I had seen her smile. And it made me unbelievably happy.

------

+++ 2 Weeks later +++

“Twix.”

“No, Mars.”

“Twix.”

It was the end of