Belong

“Hey, Ava.” A teenage boy walks up to the girl his age that’s sitting down.

“Hi, Matthew,” Ava responds with a soft smile.

Matthew looks at Ava and frowns. “Are you okay?”

“I always am,” the teenage girl says before looking down at the ground.

“I don’t believe that for a second.” Matthew slowly sits down by the girl.

“Matthew, please don’t.” Ava looks towards the boy with sad eyes.

He looks at Ava with a confused glance. “Don’t what? Don’t tell you that you belong? Don’t tell you that the people who hurt you are wrong.” He pauses before continuing, “I will tell you this. I’ll tell you everyday because you belong here, Ava.”

“You just feel sorry for me.” a teardrop falls down Ava’s cheek.

“Ava, stop. Let me be there for you,” Matthew states.

“I can’t,” she whimpers.

“Why not?” Matthew questions.

“Because!” Ava yells out.

“That’s not a reason,” Matthew says.

She sighs before responding, “Because you’re going to leave eventually. You’re going to find someone better, someone prettier, and someone nicer. Stop caring for me. It’s not worth it.”

“If it’s for you, it’s worth it.” Ava laughs when Matthew finishes his sentence.

“Please. Just leave me alone,” Ava says as she looks into the boy’s eyes.

“I see what they do to you.” Matthew watches Ava as he begins his speech. “They push you against the lockers, call you ugly and stupid. They kick you when you’re down and laugh as you walk past them. I see how they throw things at you during class and the teacher notices but doesn’t do or say anything. I can see how hurt you are. I don’t want you to hurt.”

“You can’t stop them,” Ava responds.

“I can try,” the boy says back.

“No, you can’t,” screams Ava.

“I’m not letting you convince me otherwise,” Matthew tells the girl.

“‍Why do you care so much,” questions Ava.

“My older brother went through the same thing,” Matthew whispers.

“You have a brother?” Ava looks at Matthew with confusion on her face.

“Had. The bullying got to him.” Matthew pauses and takes a breath. “He felt so strongly that he didn’t belong so he decided to leave by erasing himself from this world. I couldn’t save him. Let me save you, please. Let me save you before you fall to pieces.”

Tears began to fall down the young girl’s cheeks. “I don’t want to fall to pieces.”

“I won’t let you. You belong here, with me. You deserve to be happy. I know it’s going to take time for you to trust me and that’s okay but let me ask you how you are. Let me sit by you and let me be the shoulder you can cry on.” Ava grabs ahold of Matthew’s hand as he speaks.

“You really think I belong here?” Ava questions.

Matthew smiles as he responds, “No. I don’t think you belong here. I know you belong here.”