I woke up in the school clinic, "glad you're awake. Who did this to you?" The nurse asked. "I ran into a wall" I said quietly, I wanted to hide myself from her because I didn't know her. Not like she looked scary or anything. "that wall sure had something against your stomach, you were bruised badly but you will be fine" the nurse said and I started to cry. I didn't know why, maybe it's because I wouldn't be able to join in the school performance or because I felt really hurt by Elijah, this was the second time something like this will happen. "does it hurt that bad?" She asked and sighed. I think it's because I missed mama. She always has a special way of comforting me after I get hurt. Maybe I want to go home after all. Maybe I'm exhausted already. I feel worn out, I'm tired of fighting to get to everyone's heart. "it's alright darlin, I have a good pain killer" she said and I cried more, mama always knew when it was a physical pain and when it was something else in me that hurts. "I'll just let you cry it out" she said and left me.

After I cried my eyes out, I went to the dorm and called Aunt Caroline. "Sweetie, how are you" she said and I sniffled, "are you crying?" She asked in alarm. "is she crying? Should we go get her?" Aunty Rissa asked in the background. "I miss mama" I said and none of them said a word, "is it getting too hard for you?" Aunt Rissa asked and I nodded even though they can see me. "I want to back home" I said into the phone. "we are coming" aunt Rissa said, "no, you wanted to go there and learn who you are. Honey I know it's hard and I don't know what happened to you but I know you are strong. Remember you said that you were going to be light" aunt Caroline said and I sighed, "it's hard" I said trying not to cry again. "Think about it again, if you really really want, we can come for you" aunt Caroline said and I nodded. I can hear aunt Rissa arguing in the background. Aunt Caroline hung up. I turned in my bed and brought out my diary.

I was so close to death today. I'm at the hospital right now. I was fed up and wanted out. I attempted suicide. I don't know how I survived. I attempted suicide because I was selfish I wasn't thinking of what will happen to other if I were to leave this world. I was selfish but my baby Cardia wasn't. She stood at the door of the bathroom knocking and calling for me for a long time. I heard her voice calling and calling for me. It made me want to stay. My selfless daughter's hand hurt yet she stayed.

I closed the book and started a fresh round of tears. Mama attempted suicide because she was fed up and she didn't think of others. I wasn't thinking of suicide but somehow I felt like I was doing the same. What will happen to Alex if I should leave?

Elijah's POV

"Dy, that enough" I said and let go of the girl, she fell to the ground like a ragdoll still crying. Dylan looked at me with murder in her eyes. "We should stop" I said and held her but she slapped my hand away. "why are you defending her?" She asked in her cold voice, "I'm not- I'm defending you, what will the school say if they see you?" I asked. "you're lying" she hissed and pushed me away. 

I wanted to go after her but I couldn't just walk away from the girl on the floor, she had even passed out from the beating. I carried her to the school clinic. After that I went back to class, I barely saw Cardia or Dylan, I started to worry about both of them. I went to the school clinic and the nurse told me that she had gone. I went from class to class and couldn't find Dylan.

I called her number but she wasn't picking up. I eventually went to her dorm to find her. I knocked till she opened the door. "leave me alone" she said and wanted to close the door, "hey come on" I said and held her arm. "I'm sorry" I said. "let me go Elijah" she hit me in the stomach. "you are supposed to be my twin, you are supposed to fight for me" she said cooly and hit me again. "I'm sorry" I repeated. "Prove it" she whispered, "how?" I asked searching her eyes, I would do anything for her. "Deal with her" she said and I sighed. "okay" I nodded, "I love you Eli, you're all I've got" she said and hugged me. Pressing her ear against my chest. "I know" I said with a sigh.

I went back to my dorm in frustration. I didn't want to hurt that girl, she didn't deserve it. Not after how she treated me without demanding anything from me. At the same time, I didn't want to hurt Dylan. I know how much she depends on me, it's understandable why she didn't want me near anyone else.

Our mom deserted us when we were kids, we grew with our dad and his multiple girl friends. Dad used to adore Dylan but when he brought a new girl, she became more important than Dylan. With time he forgot about us. There was a day Dylan First rebelled and he beat the hell out of her. I wasn't home that day. When I got home, I saw the effect it had on her. At eight years old, Dylan died emotionally. She kept rebelling and dad kept beating her. I figured the only way to protect her was to stick close to her. Since then I stood by her no matter what, there were days I got beaten on her behalf. She struggles with depression and the only way she handles it is to feel another kind of pain. I'm scared for her.

Cardia's POV

Yesterday was tough, I couldn't go for rehearsals or do anything. Today I attended class but wore hoodie to stay away from the Woods siblings. I had to lie to Chelsea and Emma that I was just sick. Both girl were worried about me so much that I couldn't help but feel loved.

It was evening and everyone went to rehearsal. Tired of being home alone, I went for a walk outside of the school to a nice park that wasn't too far. I plugged in my earphones and hummed along to Steffany Gretzinger's song Cecie's lullaby. I loved the comforting effect the song has on me. Still walking, I looked up and sighted Elijah woods standing a few feet away from me. I turned instantly to run away.

I ran and ran but he caught up with me. He chased me and he wouldn't stop. "Tag, you're it" he whispered in my ear and he grabbed my hair and pushed me down to my knee. "Stay away from me" I screamed hoping that someone would hear me. Elijah Woods terrified me. "scream all you want" he said in a quiet voice, it sounded like a snarl of a dangerous animal.

I started to hyperventilate, "please leave me alone" I sobbed, I wasn't ready for another beating. I haven't even healed, it was just yesterday that his sister beat me up. I got annoyed, I'm not a ragdoll to be played with and beaten at the same time. I glared at him with all the anger in me.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" I cried out and hit my hand on the floor, ignoring the pain in my
scrapped knees. He bent forward bringing his lip closer to my ear. Heat spread on my
face as his breath fanned my cheek. "You're adorable, I can't help it. Now get up" his voice moved from nice to harsh and he yanked me up. Deliberately bringing me close to his
body.

"Get your filthy hands off her" a
voice boomed from behind us. I
looked back and saw him
approaching us. He was dressed in all black and looked so dangerous but I wasn't afraid of him. I loved him too much to be afraid of him
like that.....
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Hey hey hey babies
You're still here??
Aww thank you
You're an angel 💕

Thank you for reading
Don't forget to vote, share and follow, I will follow back💕

How's the books going?

Is Elijah's behavior forgivable? Is it understandable?
Can you please take a few minutes to tell me what you think of the characters and the book, what should I fix? (I know there are errors, I'll fix them soon)

Again love you 💓