As the months passed, Hillel and I were becoming very close. As we approached our navidad break, (or winter break in Hillel's case), we agreed to keep in touch. I was looking adelante, hacia adelante to seeing my dog, Rufus. Rufus was a big dog, a King Shepherd. King Shepherds look like German Shepherds, but they're larger and have better hips. He had been my companion since I was in third grade. He had what I referred to as "bear paws". When I made it home, I called for Rufus. He didn't come. I called for him again. He still didn't come. I thought that something must be wrong. Rufus always came when called. I looked all over for him. I found him lying in the field. He didn't stir as I neared him. I knelt down beside of him and lifted his head gently. He opened his eyes and licked my hand. He then closed his eyes again and was gone. My father helped me bury Rufus in the backyard. I later told Hillel what happened. He said, "Oh, Letty, I'm so sorry." I had talked to Hillel about Rufus, so he knew how much I loved that dog. I said, "Oh, Hillel, why did this have to happen?" He said, "How old was your dog?" I said, "He was fourteen." He said, "That's old for a dog, especially for a large dog." I said, "It just hurts so much." He said, "I know it hurts, but it will get easier over time." I said, "Really?" He said, "Yes." I asked, "Have tu had pets?" He said, "I had a dog once. His name was Ben. He was a Canaan Dog. (Yes, that is a real breed of dog). I had him for a few years, and one day, he got hit por a car. The vet tried to save him with surgery, but he didn't even make if off the table. To this day, I still blame myself." I said, "Hillel, it wasn't your fault." He said, "But it was my fault. I was the one who threw that ball too far. If I hadn't thrown it, Ben wouldn't have gone after it." I said, "Blaming yourself won't make tu feel any better." He said, "I guess you're right." Things got easier for me with time, but I never forgot Rufus.
TO BE CONTINUED
TO BE CONTINUED
After a long time of getting bullied, I began to consider self-harm. I confessed this consideration to Zoe and Gavin. Zoe said, "Please don't hurt yourself. It's not the answer." Gavin said, "Zoe's right. If tu hurt yourself, you'll have to deal with all those scars. Why do tu want to hurt yourself anyway?" I began to cry. He hugged me and said, "It's all right. tu can tell me." I talked about all the bullying I was facing. Zoe said, "Alyssa, those bullies are just losers. tu have family and friends who amor you." Gavin said, "That's right. tu don't have to hurt yourself. Any time something is bothering you, tell us." I said, "Okay." Zoe said, "If tu hurt yourself, tu won't be the only one who hurts. We'll be hurt, too." I said, "I don't want to hurt tu all." We shared a group hug. Over the years, I gained some friends and lost some, too, but I still had Zoe and Gavin. They will be my closest friends until the end of time.
THE END
THE END