The Princess Of Crazy Town (Editing)

Chapter 16

Like every story, I started at the beginning, when everything was perfect.

I told them about my father and how amazing he was. How his smile could light up a room, and how his annoyingly loud laugh was somehow contagious. I told them about how happy we where, just the too of us. Even though we didn't have much money or nice clothes, to me, my life was perfect, as long as my Father was there. He always made it okay, no matter what the situation.

I shared the happiest memories I had of him, because I knew that's what he would have wanted. I wanted this part of my story to last forever. I didn't want to stop talking about him. I wanted to talk about father until my voice gives out, because when I tell all the stories, it's like he's here again. Telling the stories with me.

But, Like it always does, the happiness ended and I had to move on with my story. Miss Ferigreen's Orphanage. Talking about that place made me feel sick to my stomach, but i refused to stop there. I told them everything that happened at that place. The beatings that left you cold and broken, and the strange men that added to the pain. Those horrible people that fed off us like leeches, sucking all the light out of us.

Four years. Those four, unbearable years that felt like an eternity, broke me more than anyone could possibly understand. I just couldn't take the pain anymore. At the time, I wanted all the misery to end, by any mean necessary. I guess in the end I was set free. Coming to Green Hill's was a new start for me, and I was grateful. As long as I was here, miss Ferigreen couldn't touch me. As long as I was here, I was safe.

Alex squeezed my hand soothingly as I let the tears fall, no longer carrying what the others might think. I just sat there in my chair, crying my eyes out as their eyes watched me intently. It wasn't cold eyes though. They where kind and soft. It wasn't judgmental looks they where sending my way. It was understanding and support. Mrs. Robertson stood to her feet and pulled me into her warm embrace.

"Echo I am so sorry you had to go through all that." She whispered, hugging me tightly. I didn't try to push her away, or scream at her for holding me. I just stood there with a small smile spread across my face.

Because the truth is, telling my story somehow made me feel better. Knowing that I don't have to carry this burden alone anymore made it okay.

For the first time in my life, I told my story.

For the first time, people actually listened to what I had to say.

That's what made all of this worth it.

_______

I collapsed onto my bed with a sigh, not even bothering to pull the blankets around me. Alex plopped down on the bed beside me and pulled me into his arms.

"I've been wanting to do this all day." He mumbled, running his warm hands through his hair. I sighed in content and snuggled against his chest, breathing in his smell.

"Why didn't you then?" I asked softly. He stared down at me with those brilliant eyes of his and smiled.

"No one else can see me remember. Do you really want to be known as the girl who keeps hugging herself?" He joked. I smiled softly and closed my eyes, to tired to keep them open any longer.

"I guess that would be weird."

"You can say that again." He mumbled, gently stroking my cheek. I opened my eyes once again to meet his electrifying ones. It felt like a thousand butterflies where trapped in my stomach as he smiled down at me with that goofy little smile of his.

"Echo?" His voice was so soft and kind.

"yeah?" His face was closer now, only centimeters away from my own. I felt my heart skip a beat when he reached over and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"I'm proud of you." His minty breath brushed against my face and i let out a small giggle.

"For what?" I asked in confusion. I gazed up into those eyes of his and found myself getting lost in them once again.

"For being brave at group. You did good Princess."

He looked so perfect in the soft moonlight that managed to peek through the cracks of the windows.

"I couldn't have done it w- without you." I mumbled nervously. He smiled wider, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still.

His soft, warm lips met mine and sparks flew.