One Saturday, Laura sat in her dorm room and cried. She was still sad about being dumped kwa Kurt. Suddenly, she heard a knock on her door. She went to see who it was. It was Mel. Mel said, "There's no need to cry alone. Ian and I are going out. Would wewe like to come?" Laura said, "Well, I suppose it's better than sitting in the dorm room crying over someone I really shouldn't be crying over." Mel said, "It's okay to cry. I know you're hurting. I think that a change of scenery might help." Laura got ready and went out with Mel and Ian. At one point, Ian said, "Laura, wewe told me that wewe used to practice self-harm. Would wewe be willing to tell me why?" She said, "I don't know." Mel said, "It's okay, Laura. wewe can tell us. We're your friends." Laura said, "Well, when I was growing up, I couldn't make friends. I tried to be friendly with my schoolmates, but they never wanted to play with me au anything. kwa the time I was in middle school, the bullying picked up, and so, I cut to cope. kwa the time I was in high school, I had very few friends, but I never got close with them." Ian and Mel were deeply touched. Laura then said, "I'll admit that I was thinking about doing it this morning, but I didn't do it." Ian said, "Laura, wewe don't have to hurt yourself, love. wewe can just talk to us." After talking with her friends, Laura began to feel better. She went to kitanda happy that night, knowing that there were people at school she could count on for once.

TO BE CONTINUED