A letter to my friend, Leigh.

Dear Leigh,

Today, I got the news that changed my life today.

You showed me your wrists, where you said you cut yourself.

"It doesn't hurt," you said to me. But did you realize how much it hurt me? You're family to me! And you're hurting yourself, for what? What's going to come out of this?

Death, that's what!

And then, you gave me that note during Gym.

'I only told you about my cuts, JJ. I can't tell anyone else but you. I can trust you.'

Leigh, I trust you too. But this...

I might lose you! I can't lose you...

You were my first friend, ever since we were in diapers! And we went to the same schools growing up. Even now, we go to the same school, even though you could've stayed at the Red Lake school.

And now you're trying to relieve your problems by hurting yourself.

"Leigh, why are you doing this?" I asked you today after school. You never answered me, unless you call scoffing an answer.

Leigh, I could lose you like we all lost Simon.

And you remember how many tears I shed for him. I'll shed more tears if I see you in a coffin, that sad look you've had since Simon passed away glued onto your face.

Leigh, I love you. You were always with me, by my side, during those hard times we shared.

So, please. PLEASE!!

Stop cutting yourself! You're only thirteen! You can talk to me! I'll listen! I've always listened to you!

And you'll be leaving behind all of us; Ceilena, Rea, Rolin, Tanner, Aleicia, Elijah, the list goes on! And you'll leave behind me!

Please Leigh, I'm begging you to stop cutting yourself! It's not too late! And this is coming from the heart...

I'll always love you, my best and first friend...

JJ