Invisible

Chapter 13 Painful Memories

The anniversary comes without a lot of thought, not like preparing for it could stop it from coming. Next Friday will mark the 6th year since my parent's funeral but today is really the day my life ended.

I sit on the grass, starring at the 2 gravestones. My eyes are completely dry, the tears will come later.

"I miss you." My voice rings out through the crisp air. It's 6:30 Saturday morning, no one will see me here, no one else alive is here.

After another 20 minutes or so I turn and walk away, not expecting the single tear that falls with out warning.

'I might as well have died with them.' I can't keep the thought from popping into my head. 'No, I can't go there.' I pull my phone out of my pocket to call my therapist. While I am holding it I feel it buzz, I look at the screen.

Hunter.

I accept.

H- 'Please tell me why anyone would want to be up this early.'

L- 'Quit complaining, drink another cup of coffee.' I remember it should be close to 5am where he is right now.

H- 'You're a bad influence.'

L- 'Sorry,'

H- 'Busy day?'

L- 'No, you?'

H- 'Show tonight.'

L- 'Cool.'

H- 'How's Tori?'

L- 'She's your girlfriend, ask her yourself.'

H- 'I did, she doesn't respond.'

I put the phone away. I've gotten comfortable texting Hunter but whenever he brings up Tori I ignore it the best I can.

Unfortunately I am reminded of both Hunter and Tori as I checkout at the grocery store an hour later. The tabloids seem to all have flashy pictures of the couple on their covers. I can't even go on social media without being bombarded with their personal lives. It still makes me sick, why can't people leave them alone? Don't they know that the harassment can ruin them?

The biggest problem I had to deal with was when they found out where Tori worked. Sam called me and warned me about the flood of reporters waiting at the greenhouse parking lot. I panicked, turned around and called in sick. I have to be careful, they can't find me again.

I struggle through the door a little after 9, weighed down by the heavy shopping bags.

"Well, it's just you and me today Jade." I rub her neck as I sit on the couch.

Silence reigns over the apartment and I get caught up in remembering. Sneaking out, my parent's screaming, the shock; I can't stoop the scream that erupts from my mouth with the next image. I bolt upright, I must have fallen asleep again, my phone is ringing and that's what woke me up. With a shaky hand pick it up, Maggie is calling and I have 3 unanswered texts.

"Hello?"

"Hey sweetie, how are you doing?"

"Well, I got a 3 hour nap in." I scratch my head and look at the time, 12:42.

"3 hours! That's great!"

I smile weakly at her positivity and enthusiasm.

"So you can still make it tonight?"

"Wouldn't miss it." My voice sounds even now, almost happy.

"Love you, see you at 7."

"Love you too."