The sad story of the babysitter

Chapter fifteen - Time for the truth

Ryder's POV:

Finally, the weekend is here. I can take the rest for which I was begging since Monday. We have no school today and that's why the boys and I decide to go swimming. We have found one nice and quiet place. Nobody goes there or at least we haven't seen people. This is our time. No parents, no girls, just the boys and me. As much as we like being around girls, all of us need some time for ourselves. 

I got up and went to get ready. In my backpack, I put some clean clothes and a towel. I don't need anything else. I called the boys and Mason said that they would come to take me. With that, I went downstairs for one quick breakfast. 

- Mom, I am going out with the boys. Don't search me during the day. 

- Not like I planned to. I know that I won't find you even if I try. - mom chuckled

- I am just saying. 

I heard a knock on the door and went to open it. The boys were staying and waiting for me. I grabbed my things and walked out. All of us get in the car and Mason started driving. 

- Boys, are you ready for the best day ever? - Alex asked

- I don't know will it be the best, but I am ready. - Mason said

- I know that you prefer to be with a girl right now, but we need some man time. - I said

- If he really wanted to be with a girl, he wouldn't be here with us. - Alex said

- Ok, can you stop talking about me? I am not that interesting. 

- Excuses! - Alex and I shouted

- Said the guy who keeps trying on Lily. 

- I told you that I won't do anything to her. 

- But you wanted to try on her and leave. The usual. 

- That was at the beginning. Now I don't want it. 

- And what do you want? - Mason smirked

- Nothing. Not when it comes to her. 

- Are you sure? I think that even slowly, you are falling for her. 

- Tell me that this is not true. - Alex said

- Why? I am not falling for her, but I don't see anything wrong with that. 

- She is not for you. Let's say that you two are different. You will end up breaking her heart and she won't talk with you anymore. 

- I won't break her heart, because I won't do anything. You can calm down. 

- I still think that one day something will happen. Just wait and see. - Mason said

Until the end of the ride, I didn't say anything. In my mind came Lily. I won't lie that she is nice and it's not like the chicks, which are in school. I like her, but only as a possible friend. This girl is not my type. Moreover, Alex is right for one thing. We are different. 

- We are here. - Mason said and stopped the car

- Finally! I can't wait to jump in the water. - Alex said

- Let's go then. - I said and walked out of the car

We were walking on the path when I saw someone at the end of the bridge. This person looked like he won't swim. I looked closer and realize that it was Lily. What is she doing here? We walked close and I saw how she was getting ready to jump in the water. I am sure that she won't swim. 

- Lily! - I shouted

She jumped in the water. I didn't see her coming on top of the water. Sh*t! Please tell me that she isn't doing, what I think she is. 

- Man, what's going on? - Alex asked

- Lily... she...

I didn't say anything else and jumped from the bridge as well. I kept swimming until I found her body at the bottom of the river. She was laying lifeless. I carefully picked her up and started swimming. After like two minutes, I went on top of the water with Lily in my hands. I walked to the shore and laid her down. 

- What the...? - Alex said

- Is she ok? What happened? - Mason asked

- I think that she tried to drown herself. 

- But why?

- I don't know Mason. 

I tried to shake her, but nothing. Probably she has swallowed a lot of water. I tried to take it out. I might not be a doctor, but I won't leave her like that. 

- C'mon Lily, wake up. You can't die. Not now. Please wake up. 

Soon she woke up. I looked at her and hugged her tight. I pulled apart and she looked at me confused. 

- Hey, are you ok? - I asked

- W-what are you doing here?

- I came here with the boys and when I saw you, I just jumped after you.

- Why? Why did you do that?

- Wait, you actually wanted to die. 

Lily didn't say anything and nodded her head down. 

- Why would you want to die? If it's only because of school, it's not worth it. 

- You won't understand. 

I lifted her chin and made her look at me. With that, I saw the same pain in her eyes. I gave her a hug again and she brooked down. I told the boys to give me my backpack. I pulled out my towel and wrapped it around her. It won't help much, but it's better than nothing. 

- Hey, do you want me to take you home?

- NO! Please, don't do it. Don't take me home. 

- But your parents will be worried for you. 

- No, please don't do it. If you are at least a little bit for me, you won't do it. Please. I am begging you. 

- Ok, I won't take you to your house, but you will come to mine. Is that ok?

Lily nodded her head. All of us walked back to the car. I guess that we won't swim today. The boys sat on the front places, Lily, and I at the back. I wrapped my hands around her. Soon I realize that she was crying silently. I have no idea why she tried to do it. 

- Everything will be ok. I promise you. - I whispered to her

Lily lifted her head to look at me and I used the moment to wipe her tears. She snuggled in me and I kissed the top of her head. I hate to see her like that and the fact that she tried to drown herself is making the want in me to know the truth bigger. I don't know why she didn't want to go home. Maybe her parents have something to do with that. Every time when I was asking her if her parents are doing something to her, she was defending them. Now I think that this was a lie. All of it. 

Mason parked the car in front of my house and we walked out. I opened the front door and let Lily inside. In the moment my parents walked into the room, they turned their attention to Lily. 

- What happened? Lily, why are you wet? 

- Mom, I will explain you later. Can you make one hot chocolate? Guys, do you want one too?

- No, thanks. We will go. Call us if you need anything. - Mason said and both with Alex left

- Let's go upstairs and I will give you dry clothes. 

Lily nodded her head and followed me. I gave her a hoodie and sweatpants. She didn't want anything else. Lily went into the bathroom to change and then came back. In that moment, my parents came with a cup of hot chocolate. 

- Take this. It will warm you up. 

She drank of it without saying anything. I know that now it's not the moment, but I have to ask. My sisters are sleeping, which is good. They don't need to see Lily in this state. 

- Lily, I know that this probably is hard for you, but I think that it's time to tell me the truth. Are your parents doing something to you?

- I know. It's a long story. It's true what Maddie said in school about my sister. 

- So you have a sister?

- HAD a sister. Her name was Lizzy. She was my best friend and the only person who was listening to me. 

- What happened with her?

- I will tell you the story from the beginning. When we were kids, mom and dad were acting nice, but since Lizzy grow up, they changed. My sister was more independent and my mom didn't like it. The only thing that matters for my parents is what people will say about them. That's why mom wanted Lizzy to do what she says. She wanted my sister to be like her, but Lizzy never did it. They were treating her horribly. All the time I was listening to their arguments. Of course, I was on Lizzy's side. I don't see anything wrong to do things your way. Anyways, after some time Lizzy gets depressed. She started going out less, eating almost nothing, and most of the time she was in her room. Once I caught her in her bathroom. She was going to kill herself with some depression pills. Usually, she had to take one pill every day, but I am sure that she was going to take more. Much more. I stopped her on time before she could do it. Mom and dad were mad at her. What people will say about them if they hear that one of their daughters tried to kill herself? That was and still is the most important thing for them. The last time I couldn't stop her. One day I came back from school and saw a note on my desk. I read it and stormed out of the house. Lizzy wrote that she is tired of our parents and that she can't live like that anymore. I found her or to say her body at the same place where I was today. She was laying at the shore, but it was too late. Lizzy was already dead. I don't know how her body was there. Mom and dad never forgive her for that. For them, she is not a part of our family. Since I am the only child who left, all the things that they were saying and doing to her, they do to me. My parents are treating me the same way as my sister. That's why I did it. I decide that it will be easier if I just go with Lizzy. Nobody wants me, nobody cares about me. I don't see a point to be alive. - Lily said and started crying again

I pulled her close and gave her a hug. This is horrible. My parents and I may argue sometimes, but they have never done anything to me. Now I understand why she was crying all the time. It wasn't because of me. Lily just misses her sister. I can't even imagine how she feels. To live with parents like hers is not easy. It's surprising that she has survived so many years. 

- Hey, it's ok. Here, drink from it. - I said and gave her the cup with hot chocolate

- Thanks. 

She drank it in one breath. I looked at her and smile. She came close and snuggled. I told my mom and she gave me a blanket from the wardrobe. I wrapped it around Lily. 

- Look, I understand that this situation might now change things. 

- Honey, for what are you talking about? - my mom asked her

- I mean this job. I won't complain about your decision. 

- Lily, I don't understand. 

- Won't you fire me?

- And why should I do that? Mia and Lea love you so much. 

- But... what I did...

- Now I understand. You took this job to escape from home, right? - I asked her

- Yes, I did. I can't stay with mom and dad anymore. They don't like me and don't take care of me, no matter that if you ask them, they will say exactly the opposite. 

- You can come here whenever you want and if your parents ask, I will tell them that you have to watch the kids. - mom said

- Really? You will do this for me?

- Yes, I will. It'll be our secret. Now take a rest. We'll be downstairs if you need anything. 

I was about to leave when she stopped me. 

- Ryder?

- Yes? Do you want anything?

- Can you stay here? If you don't mind. 

I didn't say anything else and laid down, next to her. I pulled her close and she rested her head on my chest. I kissed the top of her head and removed a piece of her hair. 

- Why did you save me?

- Because no one deserves to die. You even less. I know that probably you still don't trust me, but I want you to know that I am on your side and I'll do whatever you want. 

- Thank you. I haven't received so much care for a long time. You are one really good friend. 

- I hope so. 

Lily soon fall asleep wrapped in my arms. I won't lie that this feels good. I have never done any of that for a girl, but for some reason, I feel happy that I did it. 

It's horrible what has happened to Lily. She doesn't deserve it. Since she did it today, maybe she will do it again. I won't let her do it. I don't want to lose her. For some reason, I feel like Lily is very important to me. Moreover, she is way too young to die. I can't let her walk away just like that. From all the girls with which I have been, she is the one who makes me feel different, who brings out of me a person who I thought that doesn't exist. Lily is a very special girl and I will take care of her. Even if it's only as a friend.