Wonderland

❄B65❄ Closure

Chapter Sixty-Five

Brayden's POV

Closure

December 30

Life seemed to slowly fall back into place for me.

I hung out with friends more than thrice a week, my sister forgave me, I visited my mom every Fridays with Susanna and Esmond, and I got my grade report. I ended autumn quarter with a cumulative GPA of 3.1, which wasn't too bad considering the fact that this was my first quarter of college.

I still missed Heather miserably. Whenever the emotions grew too strong, I would lock myself up in my room and seek comfort in her letter and the toy pug she had given me. Sometimes, I'll go to my backyard at night to stare up at the stars above me, wondering if she's having a good time up there. I wonder if Mr. Forde gave her a funeral. I wonder where he's put her to rest. I wish he would tell me. She's lost to me now forever.

"Hey, Bray," Susanna whispered, joining me outside. She's in her pajamas and a blanket is draped over her body. She offers me half of it and I take it.

"Hey... What are you doing out here?" I asked.

"I saw you come outside. Wanted to know how you were doing."

"I'm fine. I just miss her... Like always."

"I know." My sister took my hand into hers and squeezed it. This past week hasn't been easy on her either. She lost her baby a few days after she was admitted into the hospital with mild alcohol poisoning. Susanna's devastated, and that's why she stayed with mom up until a week ago. Her fetus hadn't developed correctly. That was the cause of the miscarriage, but Susanna doesn't believe it. She keeps thinking it was the alcohol poisoning and she hates herself for it.

"How's Watson coping with the loss?" I asked, thinking of her stupid boyfriend. She had told him about her pregnancy the day I found her in his trailer.

"He's a little sad, but not by much. He doesn't want to be a parent right now," she murmured.

"No, shit. Tell him to keep it in his pants next time," I growled. "Or god forbid I will help him. I'm not afraid to wield a sword on him."

"He's a nice guy, Brayden..."

I scoffed. "No. He's reckless. The times he's been arrested proves that. You deserve better. I don't want to see you in that hospital again unless you're over thirty and married to someone who loves you and pregnant."

"I love him, Brayden," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You've barely dated him for a year! That's not love; that's lust."

"What about Heather? You've never dated her before!" Susanna snapped.

My nostrils flared. "I knew her for two years, Susanna. You don't have to sleep with someone to know you're in love with them."

She goes silent. But then, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that." She sniffled. "I'm just upset."

I sighed, and wrapped an arm around her. She leaned her head on my shoulder. Suddenly, she started to cry. Silently. Painfully. "I broke up with Watson back in October," she whispered.

"I know. Mom told me."

"It was less than a week..."

"I know."

"He slept with his ex during that week."

I stiffened. "Weren't you guys broken up?" I asked, choosing my words carefully so that my sister wouldn't think I was standing on Watson's side-because I definitely wasn't.