Human Trash

Earth (10)

Alvia stood amidst the somber sea of mourners, her fingers clutching the fabric of her black dress tightly, as if it were the only anchor keeping her from drifting away into the abyss of grief. Her eyes, framed by shadows of sorrow, scanned the hall, where sorrow hung heavy in the air like a suffocating shroud. Everywhere she looked, there was black – a stark reminder of the void left behind by Rena's untimely departure.

Unable to bear the weight of her emotions any longer, Alvia silently slipped away from the auditorium, her steps cautious and measured, as if afraid to disturb the delicate balance of mourning that enveloped the room. She found solace on a bench, a safe distance from the funeral proceedings, where she could retreat into her thoughts and memories without fear of judgment.

As she sat, the weight of the day pressing down upon her like a leaden sky, Alvia closed her eyes, seeking refuge in the tranquility of the heavens above. But her respite was short-lived, shattered by the quiet shuffle of footsteps beside her. Startled, she opened her eyes to find Ray, clad in a solemn black suit, settling onto the bench beside her with a quiet apology.

Alvia's heart skipped a beat as she registered Ray's presence beside her. "..yes," she replied softly, her voice barely a whisper, "you startled me."

"I see. My bad," Ray responded, his own voice carrying a weight of sorrow.

Their interaction was tentative, the air heavy with unspoken words and shared grief. Ray absentmindedly twisted his fingers into intricate shapes, a silent distraction from the weight of the day's events. Alvia stole glances at him, his presence a balm to her fractured soul amidst the chaos of loss.

With a trembling voice, Alvia broke the silence, her words hanging heavy in the air like a lingering echo of sorrow. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice tinged with a raw vulnerability that she rarely allowed herself to display.

"Eh? Are you talking to me?" Ray asked, pointing at himself, surprised by her sudden openness.

Alvia nodded, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "..I couldn't bear to watch," Ray confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Their conversation turned to Rena, a beacon of light in the darkness of their shared grief. Alvia confided in Ray, her voice thick with emotion, about Rena's unwavering support and belief in her, even in the face of adversity. Tears welled in Alvia's eyes as she confessed her confusion and fear about the mysteries shrouding their school. "Were you close to her?" She asked him.

"In a way, yes," Ray responded quietly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "But it doesn't take a genius to realize the rest of the class was pretty close to her."

Alvia's heart ached at Ray's words, a reminder of the gaping hole Rena's absence had left in their lives. "Hm yeah.. actually..no matter what she saw me as or how she treated me...Rena was the only one who believed me truly when I put forth my theory...she..she really did stuck with me till the end..Ray I don't know what to do...what is going on with this school," Alvia choked on her words, her voice trembling with emotion.

In a moment of vulnerability, Alvia turned to Ray, seeking comfort in his embrace. Surprised by her sudden display of emotion, Ray wrapped his arms around her, offering silent support as she unleashed the floodgates of her grief.

Alvia's eyes, red-rimmed and teary, reflected the anguish that gripped her soul, while Ray's expression mirrored a mix of sympathy and concern.

"Feeling better?" Ray's voice cut through the silence, tentative yet filled with genuine concern.

"I can't possibly feel anything, Ray," Alvia replied, her voice tinged with sorrow. "The one person who had finally opened to me... and now..."

Ray's heart ached for Alvia as he struggled to find the right words to comfort her. "Hey hey," he began softly, stepping closer to her. "I'm sure she wanted to help you no matter what side of herself she pressured on you. Alvia, Rena genuinely felt truth in your words. She was not the very friendly kind but it was a risk she took, considering all this she probably wanted the best for you so please don't blame yourself for anything."