It Happened to Me

Chapter Three

Chapter 3

I hear footsteps padding behind me as I sit on the ground sobbing. I look up at all the commotion before my eyes, everything slowly disappearing. A police officer starts to walk my way and I make immediate eye contact with him, shaking my head as if to say "just leave me alone, I'll be okay." I draw my attention towards my hands and I silently watch the remaining blood slip away. It is still raining and I am still where my fathers body used to be. I feel a pair of hands on my shoulders and I slightly turn my face to the side and from my periphery, I see Jayce standing behind me. He came too late.

"Mia," He says and I almost didn't hear him because of the roaring rain. "Are you okay?"

I breath in, attempting to clear my mind. I sniffle and exhale, looking up at Jayce with bloodshot eyes.

"I'm fine." I stand up, determined to walk away without another tear. I didn't want to cry and I especially didn't want to cry in front of Jayce.

I feel Jayce pull me into a hug and my arms automatically go onto his chest. I bring my face into the nape of his neck and I cry against him. My body starts to shake and quiver as I feel my knees become weak. It it cold and the rain feels like sharps pieces of glass cutting into my skin. My knees start to buckle and I begin to slip from Jayce's welcoming grip. As I fall, Jayce's arms tighten again and he brings me back to him.

"Come on," He whispers. "I'll get you home."

Normally, I would have refused because I don't want to go home, but I am in no state to refuse. I have to tell mom. I have to tell Aiden and Lily if the police haven't already. For a few minutes, I sob uncontrollably. My father is my best friend and now he is just gone. It all happened so fast. I shake my head and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to regain composure. I step away from Jayce and avoid eye contact. If I look at him, I might start crying all over again.

As soon as I arrive at my home with Jayce, he walks me to my doorstep. He hugs me again before averting his gaze.

"If you're going to hug me, you might as well look at me," I mutter distastefully.

"I was being polite," He mutters. "Look, I'm sorry."

I sigh and my heart sinks. God, I shouldn't have been rude to him like that.

"No, I'm sorry." I sigh. "I was being rude."

"I understand." He softly smiles.

"Look, Jayce," I say." I just don't want this to become a pity party. I want this, us, to at least be the same."

"You say that like we've known each other forever," He whispers.

"No, only for a day," I chuckle. "But let's just keep it normal. Everything is going to fall apart soon and I'm going to need a friend."

"What about that girl, Megan?" He asks.

I shake my head at the thought of Megan.

"Sometimes she isn't much of a friend." I say honestly.

"And how do you know I can be this friend?" He asks.

"You're different," I slightly smile. "Remember?"

He nods at me and stuffs his hands in his pockets.

"Bye, Jayce."

I step inside my home and look around. It feels cold and it is silent. I should be yelling to find my mom but I don't want any attention. I don't have a choice, though, I have to find her, I have to find all of them. I walk towards the kitchen, hoping my mom would be in there. There is a small glimmer of light and I walk towards it. I see Aiden and Lily pouting and holding both ends of the broom, Aiden on one side and Lily on the other. I knit my eyebrows together and look away.