As I stared into her dark swollen eyes, I couldn't see the popular and sympathetic girl that she use to be, she was different. As if a part of her faded away, with the bruises and scars. All that was left of her was the hatred and fear towards the world. My heart beat faster by the minute, fighting back tears I managed to let out a few words, telling her everything will be okay…     

                                                    
* * * *
It was my first day as a fifth grader, I just moved from my old school and was nervous about being the new kid. As I entered the large classroom, everyone turned towards me, staring and watching my every move. The teacher told me to take a seat, so I searched for an empty chair, they were all taken but one in the back. I approached it and sat down. The girl next to me, welcomed me with a warm smile,

“My name is Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzie if you want. What's yours?”

She whispered, her hazel eyes glowing with excitement. After first period, she showed me around the school. As we passed through the hallways, I could feel everyone's eyes watching her, making space for her as if they were afraid of her. Days passed and our friendship grew stronger. She often asked to come to my house and sometimes even spent the night, but as time passed I became more and more suspicious of why she never wanted to be home. I barely ever saw her dad, and when I mentioned it she always said he has a lot of work to do, but I could tell behind the smile, there was something she was hiding from me.

After a year, we became best friends, always being there for each other. I told her all my secrets but when it was her turn she said she didn't have any. I started asking her if we could also sometimes go to her house, but she always ignored me and changed the topic. I didn't think there would be anything going on, but I was wrong.

One morning something was different, I waited and waited but the seat next to me remained empty. Days passed and there was no sign of her, I asked the teacher where she was, but they didn't know either. The school felt empty, as if when she left, she took a part of it with her. From days it became weeks, and I started to worry. Until one day I decided to go to her house.

The rusty old gate opened with a squeak, I slowly stepped inside, the dry brown grass was covered with empty beer bottles and dirty packs of cigarettes. The white paint was peeling off the side of the wall, exposing the grey hard cement of the old house. I could feel my heart beating faster as I approached the old wooden door. The house was quiet, as If no one was home, the windows were closed and the lights were off. I looked up at the window, thinking that I saw someone, but as soon as I looked up, the curtain was quickly pulled shut by a small figure I knew I had seen before. I knocked, feeling a cold shiver run through my body, but still, there was no answer. As I drew closer to the door, I heard arguing, shouting, I felt my pulse beating through my chest, adrenaline was rushing through my veins, every step I took closer felt like a mouse walking into its trap.  The door was slightly open, an almost unwelcoming slit. I stepped closer, pushed the door open, I walked inside. The wallpaper was ripped, colors were faded, the wooden floorboards were chipped and the lightbulbs were blinking. I squinted to look through the endless darkness. The door shut behind me in the blink of an eye. The Darkness around me was like a blanket suffocating me.

I walked into the living room, carpets were torn, and there on the stained old sofa, sat my best friend. Silently weeping to herself. She placed her head in her hands.

“Please go away…”

I took a step closer, hesitating yet knowing that something was wrong. I searched the room for anyone, anything. Everything was broken, lights were dimmed, vases were smashed on the floor, curtains were ripped and drawn and windows were smashed and broken. I placed my hand on her back, feeling every bone on her shoulders. She lifted her head, I looked into her face and immediately knew what happened.

Bruises on her cheeks, tears were rolling as she silently sobbed to herself. Her endless, hazel green eyes had turned into a cloud of dark grey. Her untameable, tangled long hair covered parts of her face.

“Everything will be okay.” I whispered to her.