The Light in the Dark (Completed)

A Conversation With a Friend

"I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

"Then why do you look like you're about to cry? Why do you text me every single night telling me you want to kill yourself? Why do you tell me you've considered self-harming and haven't eaten in days?"

"Why do you care what I do to myself?"

"Because I'm your friend, and whether you think it or not, I care about you. It hurts seeing you like this, and I want to help you. I hate that you're doing this to yourself. I want you to get help because you deserve it, but you don't seem to see that. You tell me you don't want to be like this anymore, but then you don't do anything about it and keep hurting yourself and telling me how much pain you're in. I know this is probably the last thing you want to hear, but you need help. You deserve help. You deserve to get better."

"Nobody else seems to think that."

"You know what? Maybe they don't, but I do, and that still matters, doesn't it? I want you to get better because I know how much you're capable of, I've seen what you're capable of, and it's so much more than you're letting yourself settle for."

"All I do is mess up everyone's lives, mine included."

"No. Listen, we both know that's a lie. You're one of the reasons I've made it this far. Don't tell yourself you haven't done anything important. You kept me alive and sane when I needed someone the most. To me, that's important.
You don't have to find the cure to cancer or solve world hunger or become president to influence people. Why don't you get that?"

"Nothing I ever do is good enough. No matter how hard I try, I always fall short of everyone else's expectations of me. It's not like anyone cares about me. Why would they? I just annoy everyone I come into contact with."

"You heard what I just said, didn't you? I care about you. You're my friend. I. Care. About. You. You are good enough. You don't annoy me. I enjoy being around you."

"Sure. Okay. Whatever."

"Please, listen to me. I want you to get better. I care about you. You are good enough. Don't let anyone else or yourself - especially yourself - tell you otherwise."

"Okay."

"I love you."

"Yeah, whatever."

Author's Note
This was based off of several conversations that I've had with one of my friends.