Death Causes Depression

Chapter 1

I don't remember the last time I was actually excited for my birthday. I mean, I had a sweet 16, but I didn't really care much for it. None of the friends I invited actually showed up, and the presents I received weren't things I liked.

It was all just makeup and girly stuff. It's as if none of my family members really know me. That actually kind of surprises me.

Every time I go to a family get together, I always have a shirt that illustrated some of my favorite comic book, and anime characters. My aunt even has the habit of asking me why I wear that boyish stuff, and not pretty shirts like my cousins. In reality, I'm not like them, and the only person who seemed to understand that is my older brother James.

Growing up, my brother James taught me to be a fighter, and to never let anyone pick on me or tell me that I'm lame. He taught me not to be girly and basic like every other girl. He got me into video games, anime, and every other thing he liked.

I became super attached to him. I would always want to hang out with him and his friends, whenever they went to play basketball. That's why I got really sad when he moved away to the University of South California.

I was 10, and I will never forget the day he left. I begged him to stay, to leave all of his stuff, because I was going to die without Dragon Ball Z. He told me he would be back for Thanksgiving..... I believed him.

When I turned 14, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. He came back home to Oklahoma, announcing he was going to be getting married with a girl he had met at the university.

A year later they were married. They had a huge party, with his group of friends drinking, and having a blast. I remember sitting at a table, when he approached me, saying he was going to be moving back to California with my new sister-in-law. He promised me would visit, and that he would be back just in time for my sweet 16, but he wasn't.

That's another reason my sweet 16 sucked. My brother wasn't there to celebrate. Instead, I was forced to pretend to happy, but how could I.

Thankfully, this year would be different. James was coming home, for my 17th birthday party!!!!

When my mom told me, I literally screamed with joy. I jumped around the living room, nearly stomping on my pug's tail.

Now, here I am, laying on my twin sized, staring at the Fleetwood Mac posters on my wall, filled with excitement for James' return.

I get up from the bed, and stare at myself in the mirror, hanging from my door. I noticed my brunette locks, all messed up in the back of my head.

"Should I take a shower?" I asked myself. "I did shower yesterday. Oh well.. I'm clean."

I stepped into my tiny bathroom, and brushed my teeth, while Dreams by Fleetwood Mac played on my phone. Once I finish that, I put on a white tee and some shorts, tied my hair up in a pony tail, and I headed downstairs.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the kitchen, was the smell of precious bacon cooking on the stove! I rushed up to it, and before I could put it in my mouth, I heard my mom and dad scream Happy Birthday from behind the kitchen counter!

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday sweet Maddie! Happy Birthday to you!" sang Mom and Dad, holding a blueberry pancake with a candle stuck in the middle.

"Aww thanks Mom and Dad." I said, not really sure what else to say.

"Look at you, all grown up! Can you believe she's already 17, John!" cried Mom, trying to hold back tears. "I won't be able to keep strong when she graduates!"

"I'm not even a junior yet Mom! You still have 2 years to enjoy all this!" I added, trying to put a smile on her face.

"I know. Anyways, what do you want for your birthday?" asked Mom.

"Ok, I really want a new Rolling Stones tee, a new Fleetwood Mac album, and a new pair of boots!"

"I can't believe you actually like that stuff!" said Mom in disgust. "I blame your brother, he used to always show you that horrific rock music."

"I don't appreciate your hating Mom! Speaking of James, when is he going to be here?"

"He said around 4, just in time for the party." replied Dad.

"Why can't he be here earlier! It's been to fucking long!" I shouted in excitement.

"Hey! Watch your language, Maddie. If you're going to curse, try not to make it a habit." said Dad, with an angry expression on his face.

"Maddie, what friends are you inviting?" asked Mom, placing the plate of blueberry pancakes in front of me.

"No one. The first reason is because the only friends I have are in another state, cause it's summer. Reason 2, I don't really like my friends." I explained, chomping down on the delicious pancakes.

"Oh course!" Dad said sarcastically. "Why can't you be more social?"

"I am..... just with the online community of people who like anime. Especially my Tokyo Ghoul buddies!"

"Oh Maddie... What am I going to do with you?" Mom sighed.

"Like I said Mom, don't hate, appreciate!" I finished the plate of pancakes, and placed it into the sink.

Suddenly, my little black pug came running towards me. "Stevie! Did you come down to wish my a Happy Birthday!" I said, hugging and petting her.

"Hey Maddie, can you go to Dollar Tree and pick up some more balloons?" asked Mom.

"Umm sure." I picked up the car keys, and headed towards the door.

When I opened it, there standing in the door way.... was James, with a giant smile on his face.

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Thanks for reading Chapter 1! Hope you enjoyed, I will definitely be writing more!