In their own little bubble of contentment, they fool those who look from the outside.
Akiyah and Amanda. The duo that could never be separated, only because they share one thing in common.
Being broken. Shattered. Disregarded.
They live in such a world where they look up to celebrities, icons and models that flaunt their ten centimetre waists and their flawless hair.
Although they have a friend that is known to have luxurious, golden hair, they don't feel envy nor do they despise her.
In fact, they are lucky to have her in their little circle.
"You're in a good mood today. What's up?"
Akiyah plays around with her food, lost in her world and no more exposing her happy, chirpy self. Something is up.
"Hendrik visited me last night." At this, Akiyah picks her head up, slowly, and stares at Sabrina with wide eyes.
"Hendrik Dawson?!" She screeches, catching the attention of most students around. The gray walls seem to brighten at her exclamation.
"Yeah?"
The voice to all three girls, makes them tense in their seat. Akiyah averts her amber eyes from Sabrina to Hendrik.
"Just felt like saying your name." She shrugs and continues to stare at Sabrina, communicating silently.
"Sabrina, can we talk?" He peers over and sees that her lips are trembling and are now in between her teeth.
"Mh."
That response again. One word that has so many meanings behind it.
"Yeah, sure, take her away." Amanda sarcastically remarks and picks her blueberry muffin, moaning louder than necessary.
"I'll be back."
She backs out of the chair and sees herself face to face with his chest, rising softly through even breaths.
He takes her hand and they whisk out of the cafeteria, walking on the sidelines. They follow precautions, seeing as they aren't open about each other.
"This is important." He murmurs lowly, making it hard for her to hear but she catches onto his sentence.
°•°•°
"What's the problem?"
They stand in the middle of the field, the gust of wind whipping around them.
"Do you know what's going on with Akiyah?" He narrows his eyes.
"Why would you ask this?" She narrows her eyes and he sighs, not liking how clueless she is.
"Do you know- do you know she's trying to kill herself?"
She steps back. She only recovers after a few seconds and steps forward, slaps him and prepares to leave the place.
He stops her. A tight grip stopping her.
"You don't know what you're talking about." She seethes, fear and anger battling each other to dominate.
"I wouldn't tell you if I didn't know."
He loosens his grip and they stand there, silently processing the possibility of her killing herself and actually succeeding.
"How do you know this?"
"I overheard her talking with one of the girls in the locker room, standing near the entrance."
He brushes through his blue hair, momentarily enthralling Sabrina. Thoughts of the many times she weaved her hands through the sea of blue. The silk, smooth blue hair.
"Okay, I'll talk to her."
He pulls her towards him, securing her in his arms. Standing in the middle of the large field, wind whipping and whispering secrets of others. Tangling her arms around his lanky body, breathing in the familiar scent, she captures the moment mentally, savouring it.
"We'll get through this. I promise." He whispers close to ear, kissing the soft skin behind it.
She shivers and as the selfish person he is, he grins. How much of a gentleman he is.
"See you later tonight?" She nods and they move away from each other.
"I'm concerned about her." He holds the tip of her index finger until it stays beside her thigh.
"Same." She thinks of how this isn't the first time.
It seemed to be a long time ago but it was only three months ago.
"Sabrina! Why would you stop me?!" Akiyah averts the sight of her wrist away from her friend.
Sabrina stands in front of her and gives her a good slap, knocking her out of the daze she's stuck in.
"I'm your friend, of course I'll stop you from this idiot thing you're doing!" She stands firm in her place, narrowing her almond-like eyes at her friend.
"I felt it! I was close to slipping into oblivion, the darkness!" She sobs, letting out her blood curling scream echo into the room. No one is in the house besides the idling paintings that collect more dust than other objects.
"Akiyah! Pull yourself together! This shit has to stop." She mutters the last part, standing close to Akiyah.
"Did you think about the impact of your decision? How you will leave everything up to us and the grief and pain of losing someone as important as you in everyone's life?"
She shakes her head vehemently, hair tossled every where. Her body rakes with sobs that are bottled up.
"Akiyah, listen to me. Whatever you're dealing with, should be dealt with properly. I'm not going to tell you that we're all here for you but it's true. It all starts with you. And only you can help yourself."
"We're all here for you." Sabrina rubs her back soothingly, letting her sleep in her lap.
"I'm glad I was there to stop her." The sky above them turns grey, corresponding with the situation at hand.
"I'm glad you were there to stop her." She nods and turns on the heel of her shoes, striding towards the exit of the field.
Leaving Hendrik wondering what they could do this time to help her.
°•°•°
"Hey Akiyah, I'm thinking of having a spa day. What do you say?"
Both girls slowly walk towards the red lockers, the cliche colour of lockers seem to dampen the atmosphere.
"Sure, is Amanda coming too?" Akiyah tugs her sleeves down, hiding the already seen marks on her wrist.
"I haven't asked but I hope she does." Sabrina smiles tenderly and turns to her locker. A presence next to her stops her from opening the locker.
"Amanda! Are you free after school?" A gust of wind sways her hair to the side, just idly passing by.
"I have to work at the diner today. Sorry." Sabrina nods in understanding and continues with transfering her books.
"Guess that leaves me and you but I'll definitely come to the diner later, Mands." Amanda nods and leaves the two girls.
"Lets get to class before the professor starts preaching about tardiness." The girls giggle and start their short trip to their class.
°•°•°
"Please have this ready by the end of the week. Class dismissed." The entire class goes into a frenzy, just silently as they can, remembering the warning of the professor last week.
"How did you get a spa all to yourself?" Sabrina smirks at Akiyah's baffled state.
"You forget that I'm the daughter of a CEO that works in a globally known company. How my mother is also leading her firm into becoming the most trusted firm in the region." Akiyah only smiles and chuckles to herself.
"So let this spoilt girl treat you to a day of relaxation."
Akiyah stays silent and holds onto Sabrina's elbow, swaying it lightly as they move to the student parking space.
"We're using your car obviously?" Sabrina nods and unlocks her red beetle, letting Akiyah go in first.
Before Akiyah can notice anything, she calls Hendrik. Listening to the ringing, he picks up on the fifth ring.
"I'm leaving with Akiyah, so just swing by tonight."
"Okay, see you later." They end with their goodbyes and she smiles upon seeing Akiyah.
"Get ready to be pampered." Akiyah giggles and they leave the campus, passing by on Fifty Fifth Street.
Upon seeing a red beetle pass the diner, Amanda only scoffs and continues with her shift.
The place is busy and buzzing with students and people on breaks.
"Good afternoon, what would you like to have today?" The regular face always puts a smile on her face.
Toby Eve, a student that goes to Farloore University, sits perched in the seat and upon seeing Amanda, he smiles brightly.
"The regular please." She nods and moves around the tables.
She doesn't make it far though, being pulled to the side with a forceful tug.
"Hey!" She's ready to slap the person but stops once she sees the face.
Hendrik Dawson.
"What do you want?" Not intending to sound harsh, Amanda steps back. The hand that had stayed on her wrist, moves to the round, rickety table.
"We never got to speak. You wanted to tell me something?" He leans back into the hard chair.
"After my shift." She looks up to the wide window and thinks of that sorrowful day.
A day that she never thought to relive.
°•°•°
The pink walls greet them as they enter the little store. Akiyah blinks at the absurd colour and the amount used on all surfaces.
"A little too pink don't you think?" Sabrina only smiles and shakes her head, mentally laughing at her friend.
"Maybe. But it wouldn't be called Pink Dream if it didn't live up to its name."
Akiyah only agrees and they go to their assigned rooms, changing into pink gowns.
Everything is just pink.
"Okay, this is overboard." Akiyah steps out of her room, a bored look settling on her face.
"I'll toast to that." Drinks are served to both girls and are moved into a different room, pink and white dominate the room.
"At least they've added other colours." They sit in the plush chairs and the women come in to start massaging them.
"Thank you for this." Sabrina nods and closes her eyes.
Not only did Akiyah need this but so did she.
°•°•°