How To Save A Life

Three

Daniel sat quietly in his Chemistry classroom and watched as his teacher rambled on about protons and neutrons. He could never quite remember his name, so he settled on often times just calling him 'Professor' or 'the chem whiz'. Some of the kids in the class had started using Daniel's name for the teacher a while ago, he wondered if any of them struggled to remember the teachers name also. His name was so simple though, Daniel was mad that he couldn't remember it. The one thing that was simple and easy to remember had slipped his mind. Perhaps his life was never purposed to be easy, someone had to have a miserable life, right? So it might as well be him.

Lacey was not in this class, and often times Daniel found this to be quite relaxing. Lacey could be extremely difficult to handle, too much of her and it left you feeling like your head was going to explode. The chemistry lab was almost like his sanctuary, but the second he stepped outside the classroom doors, Lacey was back and his life was suddenly a mess again.

The bell rang, echoing throughout the old school and reluctantly Daniel stood and exited the classroom. Lacey was there, ready to walk with Daniel to their next class. Obviously she was still mad from the day before with the whole incident at the therapists office, but Lacey was a chatter box and she went on talking about how Shawn McCalister was being a complete weirdo and how the test last period was brutal. Would it be cruel of him to say that he didn't give a flying crap about what she was saying? Could he actually take the chance and say what he was honestly and truly thinking for once in his life if it would cause the devil inside of Lacey to be awoken with only his words? He shook his head and decided that he was not prepared to deal with the beast that had built its home in the corners of Lacey's body.

"Hey, Daniel! Lacey! Wait up!" There was Jensen Elliot running up to the couple, jet black hair swishing around her face as she moved closer. Daniel felt an uncomfortable feeling rise up in his gut, because now two girls stood before him, one he used to love and one he loved right there in that moment. Both with heart stopping smiles stretching like rubber bands across their faces. Daniel hadn't spoken to Jensen in almost a year now since he started dating Lacey, their relationship ripping the friendship he adored to shreds. Daniel watched frozen as Jensen's arms wrapped around Lacey's thin and fragile frame, giving her a tight hug. "How are you guys? You look so cute together!" Jensen's happy demeanor made something inside Daniel's heart hurt, he almost wanted to smile, but the idea of being truly happy was foreign to him.

"We're good," Daniel told her quickly, hoping the conversation would end soon. He needed to get away from her, he had to leave right that second before Jensen stirred something awake within him too. "Did you need something?"

Jensen, undeterred by his snappy answers began to tell them about her charity event she was hosting next weekend. "It's at the Darlington Manor in my neighborhood," she exclaimed, handing them each an invitation. "For each person that shows up in masquerade attire my dad says he'll donate twenty dollars to the charity of my choice! Think of all the children we can help by just partying, I'd love to see you guys there."

Daniel had forgotten that Jensen was the daughter of a billionaire father and successful millionaire surgeon of a mother. Jensen, being the type of humble person she had always been, never gave any outward indication that she could just snap her fingers and have half of the school's population bought up and still have enough money left over to build herself an empire in the most expensive part of the country. She never dared to wear anything expensive to school or even drive an overly extravagant car. At that very moment in fact she was just wearing a pair of old jeans and a Columbia University sweater, clutching a pair of keys that looked like they would be for a simple Honda Civic. She looked so simple, like any normal student that roamed the school's halls. Daniel groaned under his breath, why must she be like that?

Before he could stop her, Lacey had agreed to come to the party and promised to also drag Daniel along with her. Lacey had no idea what had happened the last time he had attended a party hosted by Jensen Elliot, and he had a feeling that if she ever did find out, or assumed he did something she didn't like he'd be six feet under before he could mutter a halfhearted apology.

"Aren't you excited?" gushed Lacey as they took their seats in the last class of the day, Computer Business 101. She had been bouncing up and down in her seat since she got the invitation to the charity ball, he had never witnessed her this happy, it actually scared him. "We have to be the best dressed couple there."

"I don't know if we should go Lacey," he responded, turning away from his computer screen to face her. "They usually party really late and you have your appointment the next day... it might just be a bad idea."

"Oh, live a little, Daniel," Lacey scolded. "Enjoy this moment, I'm happy for once! It feels... good." She smiled up at him through the hair that was falling over her eyes and cocked her head to the side, "Aren't you happy, Daniel?"

Daniel blinked, surprised by her question. No one had asked him how he felt in a long time. Was he happy? He only had to think for a second before he had his answer. No, he wasn't, but he nodded at Lacey anyway and lied through his perfect white teeth. He couldn't have Lacey thinking that the person who was supposed to be saving her was drowning himself. "Of, course I am."

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It's been about two months since I've updated this story so I decided to stop being lazy and finally write something. Hope you guys like it! Don't forget to please vote, comment and check out my other works!!