Meet Me Under the Willow Tree

Chapter Seventeen: Maeve

"Ughh,"

The relentless, high-pitched beeping of my alarm clock ripped me from the comforting embrace of sleep, its grating tone setting my teeth on edge. Each insistent chirp reverberated through my skull, a discordant melody that frayed my nerves. The shrill noise served as a cruel reminder of my idiocy from last night. It was loud and constant and made me want to punch something. The decision to set an alarm for school the previous night now seemed ludicrous, but listen, I can explain, I was in a bad mindset. After I had gotten home on my walk, I was greeted by the rare occurrence of both my parents being home. I had taken the opportunity to talk to them about getting Cassie's ashes, putting them in a willow tree and making her dreams come true.

"No."

My moms voice had been definitive with zero room left for argument.

Yet I still tried.

"Why?! It was literally Cassie's dying wish! You can't just ignore that."

My words had been anything but calm, the distress in my voice had been tangible, and I knew my mom could see it in my eyes. Yet it hadn't seemed to change anything.

"I'm not ignoring that, Mae, but I can't do anything about it. Cassie's ashes are the Vinas' property not ours. The Vinas will choose to do what they want with them."

I'd winced at the nickname that everyone except Cassie had grown up calling me. Desperation had gotten its claws around my throat, choking me, making tears well in my eyes, blurring my vision. I'd willed myself not to blink, as I looked up though, tears started seeping out the corners of my eyes. I groaned in frustration. Now my mom was never going to take me seriously. She believed that emotions too strong take over your sense of decision making, ensuring it's impossible to make the right choice. In my opinion there is no true right or wrong, it is all based on your perception.

I had looked her right in the eyes, giving her the dirtiest look I could muster and strutting to my room, not daring to look over my shoulder. That's when I had made the decision to go to school, although a stupid one at that I couldn't come to regret it as morning light bled into my room the next morning.

I was going to school today, there was no doubt about it.

I dragged myself out of bed, my limbs heavy with the weight of the day ahead. As much as I wanted to rot in my bed and hide away from the reality of Cassie being gone, I knew I couldn't. My feet touched the cold floor, a shiver running up my spine as I slowly trudged over to my antique dresser, carefully pulling the draws open and grabbing the first pair of sweatpants my hands touched.

After I was done getting dressed I did a quick check in my full length mirror, my matching black top and sweatpants made me look like I was heading to a funeral.

I've gone to enough of those to last me a lifetime.

Downstairs, the aroma of coffee and toast filled the air. My mom sat at the kitchen table, looking up from her phone as I walked in. I avoided eye contact, pouring myself a cup of coffee and grabbing a slice of toast before making my way back toward the door.

"Mae," my mother's voice stopped me in my tracks. "I know you're hurting, but please try to understand. I want what's best for you, and right now, that means letting go of Cassie, and her ashes. It's time to focus on your own healing."

I tightened my hand around the doorknob, my jaw clenched in an effort to contain the anger and frustration that threatened to spill out. Without a word, I walked out the door, slamming it shut behind me.

The cool morning air felt refreshing against my skin, a welcome distraction from the emotions roiling inside me. This early in the morning nothing but the birds and bugs were awake. The inconsistent chirp or tweet here and there were the only sounds around me. As I made my way toward the bus stop, I couldn't shake the feeling that going to school was a mistake, I needed more time. But I knew I had to face the reality of my new life without Cassie sooner or later, and maybe today was the day I needed to take that first step