warning: trigger mentions of suicide
and just so you all know, i'm always here to talk if you need.
based off the song "safe and sound" by sabrina carpenter
—hattie x
y/b/f/n— your best friends name
y/o/f/n— your other friends name

You blamed yourself.
As you stood there, in the corridor, tears streaming down your face as students gathered around you, staring, all you thought was that you wished you could have helped.
Or stopped her.
Or done something so it didn't have to end like this.
"Y/N, come on.."
Scott McCall grabbed on your arm and tugged on it lightly.
"No, Scott."
You freed your arm, your voice cracked and unsteady.
"I can't.."
Your voice was reduced to a whisper as you uttered those last two words.
You looked towards y/o/f/n, and she sniffed, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"I'm sorry, y/n."
She whispered before rushing off.
You turned to face Scott, only just noticing the crowds of people around you with your watery eyes.
"Take me away from here."
You whispered, closing your eyes so no more tears could trickle out.
—
Scott took you to his house, unsure of where else to take you.
He couldn't take you home— you weren't ready to explain to your parents what had happened.
And, even when he had thought about it, you had whispered to him softly, as if you knew what he was thinking.
"don't leave me here alone."
Slowly, Scott took your arm and lead you inside, rubbing his thumb along the top of your hand soothingly.
Scott lead you upstairs to his room, sitting you on the bed.
You looked up at him, your eyes big and full of tears.
Cautiously, he sat down beside you, wrapping his arms around your waist.
You leaned your head against his chest as more tears began to trickle down your sticky cheeks.
Gently, Scott kissed your forehead.
The pair of you sat like that for a while, you feeling comfort in his arms.
But, still, nothing felt right anymore.
Sniffing, you sat up a little.
Scott looked at you, but allowed you to continue.
You hands shaking, you removed the crumpled paper from your pocket and unfolded it.
Your tears blotted the black ink as you read.

Dear y/n, my best friend.
I want to thank you.
These seventeen years have been amazing, especially with you by my side for the last ten.
You've helped me grow so much, and for a minute, I became the person I wanted to be, that person being the one who was always there for you, the one who was strong and bold and happy.
But, I soon realised something.
I wasn't who I thought I was.
Things started getting hard...
With everything that's been happening with my family and school and all, I knew.
I knew I wasn't as strong, or as bold, or as happy as I thought I was.
Because it all became too much.
I hope you don't hate me for my decision.
But it's what I had to do.
I couldn't go on like this.
Because what I realised is that I'm not strong and bold and happy.
You are.
I've seen you and Scott— you're so happy together, and that makes me happy.
I've never seen you smile so much in your life, and I hope you two stay together.
You have a future.
You're so bold.
You're you and no one else.
And no one can change that.
You have your doubts, yes, but you're confident in everything you do.
And finally, you are strong.
You'll get through this.
I love you, y/n.
y/b/f/n

Folding the letter once again, you fell back into Scott's arms.
Your sobs became uncontrollable as you rocked back and forth.
Y/b/f/n was wrong.
You couldn't be happy without her.
You couldn't be you, because she made you you.
You couldn't be strong.
You couldn't take this.
"Shhh."
Scott said into your hair as he held you.
"Just close your eyes. You'll be alright."
You just sobbed until everything was gone.
Until there were no more tears, and you had no energy to continue.
Slowly, you shifted your gaze to Scott, who had his own tears pricking his big brown eyes.
"She's right, you know."
Scott said.
"You're bold, and happy, and beautiful."
Scott kissed your forehead.
"And strong."
You shook your head.
"Don't doubt yourself."
Scott said.
"Y/b/f/n.."
he paused.
"things got hard. She couldn't cope. But she'd have wanted you to be happy."
Slowly, you sat up a little, giving Scott a quick peck on the cheek.
Then, you wiped your tears.
"She wanted me to be happy."
You repeated.
"C'mere."
Scott said, laying down on the bed, and you lay yourself down beside him.
You snuggled into his chest as a fresh wave of tears threatened to spill.
"Things are gonna be hard."
Scott said.
"They always are in situations like this. But you're strong. You'll be okay eventually, I promise. And I'm always here for you. So is Stiles, and Lydia, and Malia, and Liam. You'll be okay again some day. For y/b/f/n."
You nodded, taking in Scott's words.
"You and I'll be safe and sound."