Strolling across the courtyard, I made my way towards the gardens outside the main school building. I passed a few people on my way, but on a Sunday afternoon there was hardly anyone at the classrooms.

Rounding a corner, I found the gardens sprawling before me. A stone path led past the flower beds toward the school building. Evelyn sat on a bench beside the flowers, waiting for me. She looked rather nice today. Her hair was done in a braid. She wore a fluffy pink cardigan, white skirt and black stockings.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked, walking closer to her.

Scowling at me, she said, "About time you got here. I texted you ten minutes ago."

I stopped beside the bench and shrugged. "I aim to please."

"Well, you're failing miserably," she replied, shooting me a dirty look. "Come on." Standing, she began walking quickly away.

With a few large strides I caught up and settled into pace beside her. "Where are you taking me?" I asked, raising my brows at her.

Evelyn didn't look at me. "You'll see," she said bluntly.

Sighing, I filled my voice with sarcasm. "Ominous."

Rolling her eyes, Evelyn didn't respond. As we walked, she watched me from the corner of her eye. Not so much as glancing at her, I never noticed. My attention was elsewhere. My muscles tensed at every corner, and I held my breath passing through every door. All the subconscious actions, they made it hard to breathe.

Evelyn led me up a flight of stairs to the second floor and down the hall. Moving past the last classroom, she opened a door I'd never seen before.

Raising an eyebrow, I asked a silent question.

Merely shrugging, she said, "It leads to roof. The lock broke a while ago and they never replaced it."

"Why are we going to the roof?" I asked, following her up the stairs.

"I'm going to murder you so I can finally get some peace and quiet," she answered with a straight face and monotone voice.

My heart leapt into my throat and I had to remind myself she was only joking. "Do I get a final meal?"

"Afraid not," she replied, flicking her hair as she pushed open the door onto the roof.

Burying my hands in my pockets, I shrugged and tried to relax. "Damn, I could really go for a burger."

Evelyn ignored me as she led the way from the stairwell. The roof was a large open space, and I could easily use it to cross from one side of the school to the other. Speaking of it looked like there was a separate stairwell at the far end.

Smiling to myself, I strode to the edge of the roof and leaned on the high wall. I'd always known the school looked nice but seeing it from here was completely different. Trees dotted the landscape, leaves of orange and yellow a spectacular contrast to the green grass. Towering mountains encased the school on all sides, a little pocket within the peaks.

Sighing in contentment, I didn't notice Evelyn standing beside me. We stood there for some time. I simply enjoyed the view, but Evelyn's nerves were taut. She had thought hard on what to say, but now she was lost for words.

Eventually, she just twiddled her thumbs and smiled at the view. "I thought you'd like it up here."

I scoffed. "You were right," I said, nodding approvingly. "If I was to be murdered, this isn't a bad place for it to happen."

Rolling her eyes, Evelyn smiled and nudged me. I couldn't help but laugh. Looking at her then, it was like lifting a weight from my shoulders. Her eyelashes seemed darker, or thicker today. Her skin looked clearer somehow. Had her eyes always been that brilliant blue?

After our shared look lasted a moment too long, she blushed and turned away. Pulling her braid over her shoulder, she played with it carelessly, a cute smile on her face.

Breathing a heavy sigh, I suddenly felt lighter. My eyes returned to the view, and I noticed the many clouds hanging in the sky. If only the sun were out, I am sure this scene would be even more magnificent. Losing myself in a cold breeze, I closed my eyes.

"What are you scared of?"

I don't know if it was the suddenness of the question, or the small voice she asked it with, or perhaps it was the question itself but immediately my joy faded. My muscles tensed again, and it felt as if my heart tightened.

I tried to hide it, but an awkwardness showed on my face. My scoff was weak and unbelievable. Shaking my head, I donned a stupid grin and replied, "Sharks. I am scared of sharks," I elaborated, carefully emphasizing each word.

Frowning, Evelyn turned away. Leaning over, she folded her arms atop the wall and lay her chin on them. "Shortly after you first came here, I was walking through the forest in the early morning. You ran past, but then you stopped and collapsed by a tree. I saw it," she said, watching me from the corner of her eye.

I was shaken. My breath escaped in broken sighs. Her eyes drilled into me, and I had to look away. Going to speak, I found a lump in my throat. After swallowing it I asked, "saw what?"

Evelyn's gaze returned to the horizon. Her head tilting, she looked sad. "I know you're hurting."

"Well, damn," I said quietly. Turning, I put my back to the wall and slid to the ground. Holding my head in my hands, I whispered, "I'm sorry. Please forget you saw that."

Evelyn wheeled around so suddenly she nearly fell over. The words were shock to her ears. Standing there, taken aback, she gazed upon me in concern. "Why? Why would you say that?"

"It's not your problem, nor anyone else's. So please, just forget." Taking a staggered breath, I paused a moment, preparing my lie. "I'm fine."

Clenching her fists, Evelyn knelt beside me. Glaring daggers at the ground, she hid her face. "It's okay to ask for help."

"Not for me. This is my burden. I can't place it on someone else, and if I can't carry it myself, then I'm weak." Even after all the lies I had told, that statement was honest.

Evelyn was quiet for the longest time, but when she did speak, her voice was soft. "So, you don't want to cause trouble for people?"

I nodded. "The people I care about need me; I can't afford to be weak. I can't do that to them."

Standing, Evelyn turned her back to me. She folded her hands behind her waist and her tone was harsh. "Reliance is a two-way street."

"Maybe so," I conceded. "But still, my burden is not their problem."

Evelyn's head tilted. She thought for a moment before spinning around again. Nudging me with her foot, she fought for my attention. When I finally did look up, she was scowling at me.

"Look here," she began. "If someone helps you carry a burden, that means they care about you, right? Well, I don't care. I feel absolutely nothing towards you."

My brows drew together in a confused frown. "Thank you?" I mumbled, wondering where she was going with this.

"Shut up, I'm talking!" Evelyn demanded, pointing at me. "I don't care about you." Her voice softened here, "Which means, you can tell me anything. You can talk about your pain and all your problems. You don't have to hide it from me."

A small laugh escaped my lips, but it was followed by a heavy sigh. "V, thank you, but-"

Kneeling down, she met my gaze and smiled. "J, I will never care about you. So, you can tell me anything and not have to worry about me. You could never burden me."

My mouth hanging open, I watched her for a moment. Eventually, my gut rumbled with a soft laugh. Shaking my head, I smiled at her. "For someone who doesn't care, you really are sweet."

Realising what she had said, Evelyn's cheeks flushed red. Standing and quickly turning away, she tried to hide her face. "Well, whatever!" She exclaimed, stamping her foot and crossing her arms.

I stood and looked out over the school again; it really was beautiful. Though, not as beautiful as her. My gaze drifting over to Evelyn, I smiled at her. Slowly, she turned but upon seeing my eyes on her, she huffed and refused to look at me.

I couldn't help but laugh. Grinning at the ground, my hands buried into my pockets. I nodded. "You're right. I am scared."

Evelyn gasped quietly and turned, her hands falling to her side. She watched me with concerned eyes, but my gaze was fixed upon the sky.

My voice was small and my heart heavy, but I finally admitted it. "I'm not okay."

The smile on Evelyn's face was radiant. "You will be."

Something about her was so honest, I felt hope kindle anew within me. Evelyn had said I would be alright, and I believed her.

So, it is possible to lie to oneself. Though, it isn't healthy. I know that now. There, in that moment, when my eyes left the dirt and I spoke the truth, I came up to breathe. My lies were still drowning me, but armed with honesty, perhaps I could climb free of this pit.