The Hawthorne Sister

Chapter 25

I sat on the edge of the roof, letting my legs hang over the edge.

Isn't it funny?

You can choose to stop breathing.

You can choose to jump off a high place.

You can choose to die.

But when death comes, when you're hospitalized:

You can't choose to live.

Real funny.

A big joke.

I heard footsteps approaching.

Grayson.

And... the witch.

Actually, that's offensive to witches. Witches actually seem really cool.

In case you can't tell, I'm referring to Emily.

I didn't like her.

Because of her, Grayson and Jameson were constantly competing against each other, constantly doubting their self worth when Emily didn't choose them.

"Em, give us a second, will you?"

Grayson's voice rose in volume, signifying he was getting closer.

"Of course."

Her voice sounded slightly strained.

Lately, Grayson and Jameson had been being nice to each other for my sake, and participating less in her "challenges".

Why did it take someone's death for that?

Well, I ask that question, but it happens a lot in the world.

People never take things seriously, never act seriously, never acknowledge or try to help until it's already too late for someone.

Until a life has been taken.

Grayson sat next to me, letting his legs hang over the edge.

At least he wasn't acting like Constantine, who seemed to be constantly worried I'd jump.

I wouldn't.

"Hello." Grayson's voice was soft, measured.

"Hello." I sounded numb, emotionless to my own ears.

I spotted a bird, standing on a branch.

It's amazing, isn't it?

When your life comes to a halt, when everything around you crumbles, when your world stops;

The worlds of others still go on.

Their lives don't crumble.

When someone who your world relies on passes, you stop functioning.

But for many people,

too many,

who never had the pleasure, the joy, the experience of knowing this person,

nothing changes.

Their life goes on, as if nothing has changed.

Somewhere in the world, someone just died.

And I don't know their name.

I don't know how old they are, the foods they liked, their favorite color.