I brushed a strand of hair off my face as the wind picked up. It was getting colder but it brought a smile on my face. As a kid, I always cherished the first snow. Even though, by the end of winter I complained endlessly about it. However, there was something magical about the first time it snowed; the way the small white snowflakes dainty floated from the sky and they landed subtly over you. When I was child, Mom always made hot cocoa that night and she would let me play around the yard until my nose was red and my hands started to feel numb. It was great. I would totally do the same this year. Even the cocoa. With Nathan, of course.

School was quite packed, meaning that I'd walked later than usual. Hitching my backpack over my shoulder, I walked faster through the hallways to my locker. People were talking excitedly as I passed them. From the corner of my eye, I saw Tom and Sean snickering and shoving roughly. My pace fastened.

Nate was leaned on my locker as he checked something on his phone. He had a red hoodie over his jeans and a grey knitted beanie.

My lips tugged up instantly. "Hey handsome." His eyes looked up, an instant grin forming on his face.

Pulling himself up, he kissed me chastely on the lips. "Now, that's more like it, Taylor." I rolled my eyes playfully before opening my locker's door and reaching out for my books. "Are you ready to rock out on Math?"

Scrunching my nose, I shrugged, "Yeah?"

He chuckled, "We're going to have to work on it, babe. But I'll help you and you know I ace that class."

"You're so modest, Nate," I murmured sarcastically.

"But you love me that way," he whispered by my ear. Quite smugly, I might add.

Smiling, I grabbed his hoodie and pulled him to me. I kissed him lightly as a smile played on his lips. "Don't be so smug about it."

"But I am!" he exclaimed happily with open arms, making people turn our way.

I shoved him with my math book, "come on geek, let's go to Math."

As we walked towards our class, hand in hand, his thumb brushed one of my scars. "Have you noticed that you've stopped rubbing them?" he asked gazing at me.

Surprise showed on my face. "I hadn't." His grey eyes bored into me for a moment before he lifted my hand and kissed my scar. A warm feeling ran through me.

The teacher passed next to us, meaning that it was time to get to class. I waved at Anne as we walked beside her to get to our seats. A frown set on my face as I started to take out my pencil and notebook. Where had Farah been over the weekend? She'd been pestering me to no end for my date and I had completely forgotten to call her to tell her about it. Yet, the girl was persistent. That had never been an impediment for her.

Glancing behind me, I spotted Chris a few rows behind. He was not his usual self. He looked troubled somehow. He noticed me looking at him and bobbed his head. A small grin played on my face in response. Where they having issues?

Sighing, I felt bad for Farah. What kind of friend was I?

Nate nudged me from behind, "Cass, pay attention." Glancing at him, I glared as he shrugged innocently, grinning widely. I rolled my eyes suppressing a smile. I didn't want to fail this class, so I did pay attention to whatever the teacher said.

Since it was the only class we had together, we parted ways after a small kiss. I was determined to find Farah and talk to her.

My English classroom was almost empty as I reached it, but Farah wasn't there yet. Marissa was. She was talking to one of her friends when I walked in. Our eyes locked for a moment before she looked away. She hadn't glared or blazed at me. That had to be some kind of improvement, right?

I plopped on my usual seat, waiting for my best-friend. I was finishing texting her as I saw her blonde head walk my way. But her usual smile wasn't there. Frowning, I watched her every move as she sat beside me.

"Hey" I leaned closer to her, "what's going on?" I asked evidently concerned.

Her blue eyes turned my way. She forced a smile, "nothing."

"Farah," I pressed on.

She pushed her glasses up her nose, "I'm fine, ok?" she snapped.

I didn't want to push her. I mean, she'd been nothing but kind and patient to me. She deserved the same treatment. I raised my hands in mock surrender, "Ok." Taking out my book from my backpack, I added, "but you know I'm here for you, right?"

She sighed. "Yeah," she trailed restrained, "sorry." Her blue eyes looked to the side, "I think I might be pregnant" she faintly whispered.

I dropped my pencil in shock. As I picked it up, I asked her worriedly, "are you sure?"

Her lips trembled, "I've been throwing up for the last two days."

"Are you late, though?"

Shrugging, she swallowed hard. "My period should come this week. But throwing up and feeling sick is a big sign, isn't it?" her brows were creased. "Plus, I've been sleepy," she added as an afterthought. "It all sums up."

I scrunched my nose. "I don't know if it's a telltale, Farah. You should go to the infirmary. You might have something else." I remembered a Chris' distraught face. "Have you told Chris?"

She nodded as she looked to the side not wanting to be heard by anyone else. "He told me we would figure it out but I'm sure he's freaking out."

"There's a pharmacy around the corner. Why don't we go during lunch break to get a test? Just to be sure." To be honest, it seemed like she was too worked up on something that could only be on her mind. She needed to get the test to know for sure.

Her lips quivered, "but how will I ask for the test?"

"I will. Don't worry."

Her blue eyes softened. "Would you do that for me?"

"You're my best friend, Farah. Of course I will."

A sad grin flashed through her face. "Thank you."

"Hey," I squeezed her hand, "we'll work this out, ok?" She nodded still concerned.

Mrs. Clearwater walked inside the room as a herd of people followed behind her. She shook her head annoyed as she plopped her suitcase on the desk. When our eyes crossed, as she surveyed the room, she smiled at me. Then, she made us write an annoyingly boring summary from a lecture. After forty excruciating minutes, the bell rang. I was putting away my books when she called for me. "Miss Taylor, may I have a word with you?"

Farah glanced at me sympathetically as she placed her books in her backpack. "I'll meet you at lunch break, ok?" I murmured before she left the room.

Walking up to the old lady, she gestured me to take a seat. "I read your essay," I gulped as her eyes assessed me. "I have to say that I'm thoroughly impressed with your style of writing, as well as the content. I didn't expect to have such a deep message on a summer essay." Her eyes softened, "I'm sorry about your loss."

"Thank you" I never knew what to say to that. It always formed a lump in my throat, though.

She cleared her throat. "I've been thinking and I want to make you a proposition." She straightened her glasses, "you see, I've been noticing over the news that with each passing year, young people are committing suicide." I shifted uncomfortably on my seat, "I'm not saying that your problems are meaningless but I think that since you are young and sometimes too passionate, you get carried away with your feelings and as you wrote it on your essay, there's always a way to work things out. I think you could convey a message that could reach out to other students that are going through a rough time, like you." She paused for a moment, "and I've talked to Mr. White, the principal, about this. I believe that if you share your experience with others, they can get the help they need before any harm comes their way. Mr. White is reluctant about this, so he told me to talk to you. And this would be optional, Miss Taylor, we're not forcing you to go with it if you're not comfortable but there will be added points to your English grade." A smile crept upon her face, "not that you need them, but still."

My hands fidgeted with my sweater's buttons as I thought about it. "You want me to say a speech in front of the whole school?" She nodded.

"Oh" I pictured myself standing in front of the whole school at Gym. Talk about scary.

"You can take your time to think about it. However, if you agree to this, Mr. White proposed that you read your speech before Christmas break. That would give you a good two weeks to get ready."

Nathan's words echoed in my mind. We don't know who could be going through a hard time and knowing that there's someone else who is might help them.

I thought about his sister. How if someone had been aware of her situation, they could have helped her somehow. I thought about myself. I had pushed everyone away and if Marie hadn't found me after I'd tried to harm myself, I wouldn't be here.

It had been the most stupid decision ever. Yet, it opened my eyes completely. I guessed that the saying things do happen for a reason was accurate, at least for me.

Without thinking it further, I agreed to do it.

For Nathan and Leah. For anyone out there who was going through a hard time. Mostly for Mom. It felt like I owe it to her. Something good had to come out from all this experience.

Mrs. Clearwater smiled excitedly. "Not anyone would share their story with the world." Her hand reached out for mine and her voice softened, "your mother would be proud." I nodded biting my lip. Tears had pooled in my eyes. I swallowed hard. She let go of my hand and scribbled something on a yellow pass form. "You're free for the next," she glanced at the clock over the doorframe, "hour and a half. I'm giving you some time to think about it and start working with the editing and such."

"Thank you," I murmured as she nodded.

"I'll see you around, Miss Taylor." She hitched her glasses up her nose and directed her attention to the massive pile of papers on her desk, dismissing me.

The school hallways were empty as everyone was at their class. I walked to my locker to leave my books while breathing out.

Oh boy. I was going to read my essay in front of the whole school. Bearing your darkest past to the whole school was pretty scary and unsettling. At least I had a few weeks to get ready. Besides I knew that Nathan and Farah would have my back.

Taking out my cell phone from the back pocket of my school bag, I glanced at the time. I had almost two periods to freak out. Instead, I decided to go to the pharmacy and get Farah's pregnancy test. Her pregnancy seemed like a long shot but she was quite worried and I needed to ease her fears. Or just know already.

The walk to the drug story was relatively short. I asked the clerk to give me the pregnancy test in a brown bag since I didn't bring my schoolbag with me. I cursed mentally. Hiding it there would have been much easier. Especially since light rain started to drizzle.

My steps faltered as I reached the school's parking lot. Tom was talking animatedly with his friend Sean on the front steps right in front of the main door. Damn. They would notice me even if I tried to sneak through the backdoor. Taking a deep breath, I clutched the bag to my side and put more force on my strides.

Tom's lips turned to a sneer the moment he laid eyes on me. Ignoring the uneasy feeling that stirred within me, I pushed forward. "Well, look who we have here," his tone was scornful. My heart started to race as I pressed my lips in a straight line. I tried to bypass him but he blocked my way no matter where I moved. I heard Sean snickering. "Why don't you say hello to an old friend?" He took a step closer to me.

"Leave me alone, Tom."

His eyes blazed. "Right. We are not friends. I keep forgetting that." My heart started to pump furiously inside my chest as he took another step forward. I kept my stance. I didn't want to back down now. "Even though I waited for you for a long time." My breath hitched as he stood right in front of me. His eyes trained on the bag I was carrying. "What is that?" he tilted his head curious.

"It's nothing, okay?" I looked behind me and Sean was eyeing the whole thing with his arms crossed, completely blocking the doors. Suddenly, the bag I was clutching so tightly was ripped away from my hands. I reached out for the bag but it broke and the pregnancy test fell to the ground. My heart caught in my chest when it thumped on the floor.

Cringing inwardly, I looked up to see Tom staring at the box with an open mouth. His eyes turned to me accusingly. "You're such a slut, Cassandra."

I couldn't say that it wasn't for me. I didn't want to give Farah's possible condition away. Besides, I couldn't care less what he thought of me. Ignoring his remark, I leaned to get the box when he kicked it away. His hand grabbed my arm. The grip was tight and painful. "You're hurting me."

"Good." He put more force into it. "Because you hurt me, too." He laughed wildly as he pushed me to the parking lot. He was much stronger than me. Also, the floor was slippery. I landed on the wrong side of my wrist before I hit my head and everything went dark.