On The Hill

Chapter 12: end of an era

It was another cold morning in the late winter months, most were wrapped up from the cold wind. Their faces frozen and dull.

Arya isolated herself from those around her, she listened to her music, it was her way of distracting herself with everything going on, the sound of the rhythm calmed her, as her head subtly nodded along to the beat.

She had a bad day ahead of her, Tuesdays were always the worst.  Having boring lessons, with people she didn't like, the worst combination in Aryas mind.

"Morning Arya, how are things?" She met with Paige outside her class, she smiled kindly at her.

"It's ok I suppose" Arya took out her headphone to speak with her. People passed by them, yelling and shouting, filling the corridor.

It wasn't the nicest of places, the students in her year were awful, most were arrogant and rude, others were backstabbing bitches. You could feel the toxicity around and you just had to get used to it.

"I should get to class, I'll see you at break" Paige smiled and pushed through a group of guys until she was out of sight.

Arya was left to enter her class alone, most were already in there. She took her seat next to a girl, they had spoken a few times before, she was nice.

"Did you do the homework?" The girl beside her spoke, she smiled at her, waiting for an answer.

"I- oh shit... no" Arya realised, now starting to panic, looking at the teacher who began to ask for the work to be handed in.

"If you haven't done it, it will be an after school detention" the teacher spoke, her voice was stern, she grumbled as she took the papers handed to her.

"Arya, where's you homework?" Arya stared at the woman in front of her, struggling to speak up.

"I-I..." Arya's words stumbled, only sounds rolled out of her mouth. The teacher was quickly getting frustrated, Arya could see it in her eyes.

"Erm excuse me miss, could I have Arya please" a lady at the door, peered in, pointing at Arya.

"Oh yes, I'll put a detention on the system as you have brought me no homework" Arya's teacher snarled as she walked off to her desk.

Arya collected her stuff and followed the woman out of the class, she sighed at her teachers comment once she'd left the class.

"Don't worry love, I'll get that detention off the system for you, I understand it's been hard for you at the minute" the lady reassured, Arya seemed confused at her comment. How did she know what was going on? She didn't recognise her at all, only that she'd seen her at reception a few times before.

They came to the back reception where Arya was asked to wait. She sat awkwardly, still confused about the situation. It was in those moments she considered whether it could be something about Matt, unlikely but not impossible, Arya considered.

Time was passing my quickly and she assumed she was waiting for someone to turn up and soon Arya found her suspicions correct.

Through the front doors, her mum walked in, her face didn't seem right. Watching through the half open door, she was greeted by the same woman who'd brought her out of class.

Arya was called out and quickly taken out by her mum, who seemed off.

"Thank you miss" her mum nodded at the lady as she waved them off. Arya could hear her mums uneven breaths, quivering. As well as noticing her irritated eyes, looking red and tired.

Arya's mum led her to the car and they got in. Her mum didn't turn the engine on. There was a moment of silence, it was all very strange.

"Mum, what's going on? She looked frightened, staring into her mother's poor eyes.

Her mum stared at her face carefully, Arya noticed her mother's hands gripped on the steering wheel so hard until her knuckles turned white. Her eyes returned back to her mums face, tears were now forming in her eyes.

"It's your nan... she's gone..."

—

3 weeks later:

"Rest in peace,  she will be remembered as a great friend to many and cared for her family until the end"

The wind blew, washing the tears onto the ground. The sun tried to break through the clouds, creating enough light to call it day time.

The service came to an end, the priest stepping down from his place. There was a deathly silence.

People stood from their seats, sounds of sadness filled the silent room. Quiet music played in the background, as guests began to leave.

"I'll miss you mum" Arya watched her mother stand by the coffin with her aunt.

"Are you ok?" Arya turned to see her dad, she gave him a short nod, returning her glance back to her mum. She blinked to hold back her emotions, it was hard for her to keep in how she was feeling.

"It's ok to not be ok you know" he smiled, trying to cheer her up.

"I know...."

Flowers of all kinds, were laid out to see, Arya went along to read the tags on them. Most names were familiar, close relatives and others distant friends of the family.

It made her realise how many people her nan knew. She had people come up to her and give her hugs and give their condolences, it was strange to Arya.

"You can take as many days off school as you want, don't worry" her dad said, while they had some privacy.

"I don't want to take any days off dad" Arya sighed, she knew the more days she had off the worse it would be when she got back.

"I think we'll all need a break after everything it sorted..." her dad looked at the distant trees.

"...could we go back to wells?" Arya remembered the beach and how happy she was there. What she'd give to be there again, to be so carefree and to see...

"I'll see what your mum says, if we can, we will" her dad promised as more people came out of the building,"you and your mother both deserve a long break".

Arya watched her mum come out of the building in tears, holding onto her sisters hand. He dad went over to comfort his wife.

Arya had some time alone, thinking of her... remembering her last words.

"Don't let anyone tell you otherwise" she whispered..