Mia's POV

"Bye Mia!" Josh exclaims, picking up the last suitcase. They're leaving again, I'm sorta sad to see them go. I sigh, "Do you guys have to go?" Mom nods, "Sorry honey, but Meghan and Jaxon have school and Josh and I have work." I nod, "I'll miss you guys." Jaxon extends his arms to me and I fly into them. "I love you Mia," Meghan whispers from behind me. I smile, "I love you guys too."

~*~
Alan's POV

"So Mia?" I ask, walking into the living room. Mia is sitting on the floor. She looks up at me, and I can see the pain in her eyes. I don't say anything else, just open my arms. She quickly buries herself in my hug. She cries. I softly begin singing on of her favorite songs, Coming Home. She smiles, despite the tears streaming down her face.

"Thank you Alan," she whispers softly. I run my fingers through her hair, and nod, "Anytime beautiful." I hold her close for a while, because I know it comforts her.

"Why did I have to be the kid to get bullied?" She asks me. I guide her over the couch, and we sit down. She lays her head on my chest. "Honestly, sweetheart, I don't know how to answer that. Just know that I'm here, and we can talk about anything." She raises an eyebrow, "Can we really talk about anything?"

"Anything," I state. "T-The kids they told me that I was fat and ugly, and that I didn't deserve love. I believed them, and began treating myself like I was worthless. The bullying slowed down, but I never chose to stop picking on myself. They still picked on me occasionally, but for a different reason." She pulls up the sleeves of her shirt to reveal scars.

I gasp, "Oh Mia. When was the last time you did this to yourself?" She shrugs, "It was a few weeks before the concert." I lift her wrists, and bring them to my lips. I kiss all twelve of her scars. "Please don't hurt yourself," I whisper. She nods, and quickly pulls down her sleeves, once again hiding her battle scars.

"Please don't tell anybody! Nobody know except you," she tells me. "Mia, you need to tell your family and those you trust. They love you and won't judge you," I tell her. She shakes her head, "No Alan. Please just don't tell." I nod slightly, "Okay for now." She looks up and kisses my cheek, "Thanks for being somebody I can trust."

I nod, "Anything for one of my favorite girls." She blushes a bit, and tries to hide it. I cup my hands around her cheeks, and tilt her face so that our eyes are locked on each other. She smiles, but I can tell it's the smile of a broken girl. I have something to share with her, that will hopefully cheer her up.

~*~

"Mia, come here," I gesture. She gets up, and follows me to my bedroom. "You shared something personal with me, so I'm going to share something personal with you." I scan my bookshelf, looking for something. I pull out my old moleskin journal and sit next to her on the bed.

I open the journal to an entry that I deeply regret writing. I begin reading, "God, I know you're here. I really just don't care. I'm gonna give this a chance and do what I know is right in my head, even though I'm doubting in my heart."

I notice Mia is staring at me shocked. "You wrote that?!" She asks in disbelief. I nod, "I told you how I walked away from Brycie. I had walked away from God too." I grab my guitar, and begin singing Where The Light Is.

"That song is MY story," I tell Mia whenever I'm done. I notice her wiping away a few tears. "You didn't have to share that with me," she points out. "I know. I just thought it would help you see that everybody struggles." She smiles, and wraps her arms around me in the biggest hug ever.

\\Author's Note//

Well, this chapter did include some self harm. Please never hurt yourself. If you guys ever need to talk about ANYTHING at all message me, I'm here!

I linked a video that I feel like everybody should watch. It's a huge inspiration to me, and I bet it will touch you too.

Thanks for reading beautiful people! Stay awesome sauce! Xoxo
~Elisabeth💜🐘