Pieces (#WATTYS 2016)

Memories, Cupcakes and Presents

Ayra POV

About 2 months passed, since Trent and Keenia. Keenia was feeling much, much better without the foul influence of Trent, and was slowly taking interest back on dating, the right guys, of course. Trent, we haven't heard for him since Keenia told him off with finality in ShopMart. And rumors has it, he's broken off with Jessica, the drunk blonde.

Details say he's become "changed," and he's no longer a player but he's become focused on his future life, becoming the golden boy, with his looks and his smarts. Surprisingly!

I sadly haven't gotten any indication from Grace, and I think last night, the day before my 15th birthday, was when I really came to terms with that.

"Grace, if you can hear me, I wanted to say I really do miss you, but I'm trying like you said, I'm trying to live my life. I'm sorry also, because I think I lost the necklace you gave me, and I'm soo sorry. Please don't be mad," I say, crying and I faced the window.

"I know you're in a better place now, with a better life but just know in this life, I still miss you, actually everyone misses you. Just know, you will not be forgotten, because you're everywhere, and everyone will remember the cheery and happy girl you were," I say, holding a rose I plucked from a vase near the bathroom, "I will never forget you. My sister, my best friend, my protector and so much more."

"Also," I say, laying the red rose on the window still, "I stopped Keenia from going to a guy like Keen, and I did it for her, for Aunt Marie, Uncle Dave and me. But mostly for you. Because your life legacy still lives even if you don't have the physical embodiment. I love you, an-and that's all. I say this because tomorrow I'll be 15 and I wanted to tell you these things before I get new experiences when I age one. So yeah, thanks and I'll meet you soon."

I smiled, and kept smiling as no response came. Settling comfortably in my bed, I shut off the light and I dreamed of Grace and her golden spirit, flying free and unbounded through the night sky. And next to her were our parents, steadying her on her flight.

~

Morning on June 16, was a surprise sunny and bright day. The curtains were pulled back from last night to display a happy spring day with blue jays chirping, on key.

A knock on the door made me whip my head to the direct sound, "Yeah?"

"Ayrie! Come down! We have a Code Blue! Code Blue!" shouted Kea, from the other side.

"What is it?" I ask frantically, my nervous voice thick with quick confusion.

"Just get dressed and meet me down in 5," Kea answered, her footsteps echoing down the hall then the stairs.

I whip the blanket off and make my way to the bathroom, my clothes in hand. Doing my business I head back to my room, to grab my shoes, near my bed. A flash of red stops me; carefully I peel back the blanket section near my pillow, and there laid a necklace.

My necklace to be exact, but it was twisted into something else.

It still had the double infinity frame, but it was gold and had flecks of dark red. A piece that is twisted into a knot, there's a single ruby. It was beautiful!

And I have a sneaking suspicion on who it was from.

A white pasty note card was attached to one of the gold chains; it was in a familiar handwriting. A feeling or kinda warm presence filled the room as I scanned the card.

Ary,

"Life is not worth it, until you begin living it."

I'll be waiting.

-G

The simple note card slipped passed my grasp. She was here! I made a mad grab for the card again as I reviewed her words. She didn't forget! She-she remembered!

A giddy smile took over my face as I slipped off the bed, and I stuck the note card in my memory crack, beneath the window. I grabbed the necklace, the new and improved version and I put it on. I fisted the piece of jewelry, and I remembered the first words I said, after she was gone.

This is NOT goodbye, it's merely a hello, I add on. I smile and carefully and thoughtfully I went downstairs, to where Kea told me to do. In the kitchen, I saw Kea's brown hair flash around as I got closer.

"Kea?" I say hesitantly, my mind instantly spinning to what the emergency could be. It was a bit forgotten as I remembered Grace and everything that just happened.

"Shhh," a voice whispered. Kea, the voice it belonged to.

"Guys?" I say, as I take a few steps to the kitchen, "Are you okay, you guys?"

"SURPRISE!!!" Kea squealed as Aunt M and Uncle Dave jumped up from behind the table.

"Uh, just making sure, did anyone have a Code Blue?" I ask, looking around for the sight of injury. They all burst out in laughter. And Kea comes to loop her arm through mine, "Nope. That just made you come down without blowing your surprise."

"Ohhhh," I say, mentally face-slapping myself.

"Happy Birthday!" interrupted Aunt M, as Uncle Dave came over and gave me a gift. A big box of something to be exact.

"Aww, you guys!" I say with a geniune happy smile on my face. I went over to them to give them each a bear hug.

"Okay, okay," Kea cut in, grabbing my arm and shoving me into the center seat, "My turn."

Kea gave me an envelope and I opened it, to reveal a plane ticket. A full-round trip.

"What's this?" I say, curious of why she gave me it.

Kea beamed, "It's for your traveling. I know Ma told me that Grace told you to live, so I thought a great start would be to visit Paris or London or somewhere besides here."

I gaped at Kea, who kept smiling at me. I grinned widely as I grabbed Kea in the biggest and tightest hug in the world, "Thank you!"

"Open ours!" Aunt M exclaimed, like a girl and her dress up clothes.

I laughed, but opened the silver box. Inside was a camera, and not the cheap kinds, the real deal. I stared at awe at the new equipment, "It's beautiful!"

Aunt M smiled at me, "We thought it would be great to remember your trips by."

"Yep," Uncle Dave joined in, slinging an arm over Aunt M's shoulder, "It's also great because it's replaceable with free replacements."

We all laughed. "Ok, guys. Let's eat, I'm starving," I say after we all sobered up.

"Here you go," Kea says, placing an already plated meal in front of me.

And guess what it was? Cupcakes!

A chicken and waffle one, A vanilla-pumpkin one, and an apple-cinnamon combo. It was literally equivalent to waffles, pumpkin-vanilla sauce, and apple juice. It was strange, but super tasty.

As we ate, I couldn't help but notice the way this family that now I am in, worked.

I mean, I thought life stopped when Grace stopped. But it didn't it kept revolving.

And the future keeps changing.

I look at the travel gifts, and maybe I will travel the world, because like Grace says,

"Life is not worth it, until you begin living it."

And you bet, I'll live it to the fullest. *

<|3

PIC OF GRACE'S GIFT- JUST MORE RED TO IT>>>>>

A/N

This is the end! Yep, you got it. Well, I'll add some extras and stuff and an Epilogue, but this is the end until the Epilogue is up, which will take place about 5 years from now.

Thanks for all the readers who read this, and I hoped you enjoyed as much as I liked writing this! And I hope to get you guys to check out my other works. Thank you guys soooo much!

So yeah, until the Epilogue, we'll see each other again. :)