Stuff for Teens

Carly gasped. “Grayson, I don’t want Angel for myself. I just don’t want to see anyone, including you, get hurt.” She looked over his shoulder at the police blockade. “Just put the knife down and let the officers help you.”

“Slowly exit the car, arms raised,” the police demanded again.

Grayson rolled his eyes. “They’re just going to throw me in jail.”

“They will make sure you get the help you need. You’re still a minor, they’ll work with you,” Carly said. She wanted to reach out and pat his hand, rub his shoulder, anything to show him he wasn’t alone, but the exacto-knife was still clutched tightly in his hand.

Grayson stared at the knife. “I should just do everyone a favor and end it right now.” He brought the blade up to his wrist.

Carly held up her hands. “You don’t want to do that. You still have a lot of life ahead of you. Things will get better. There’s college…”

“Do you really think a college is going to let me in after all this?” Grayson yelled.

Carly kept her eye on the knife, looking for an opportunity to grab it or at least knock it away long enough for the police to intervene. She felt the tears building, but steadied herself, forcing them not to drop.

“Yes, I do,” she said calmly. “I think that if you get the help you need now, none of this will matter in the future. A lot of kids have made bad decisions and have gone on to do great things. It’s what you decide to do now, in this moment, that matters.” She held out her hand for the knife. “What’s it going to be, Grayson?”