The Difference

Chapter 24.

I immediately came to a halt. I must have miss heard. Leah can't be dead. She just can't be. I know that I said I hated her, but I would never wish her life away. She's still a human being, she deserves to live a long and happy life, even if she didn't always act like she should have.

"She died..?" I needed to hear it again, just to make sure I wasn't imagining things.

"She overdosed, Piper." I could see that he was about to loose it so I pulled him into my arms. "There was nothing they could do." He cried into my shoulder as I rubbed his back soothingly. "She's just gone."

"I know," I cooed, "I know."

••

"He's been spiralling Sarah. Every time he comes over he looks worse."

"It hasn't even been two weeks Piper. You can't expect someone to get over a death that quickly."

"I know that, but it's supposed to get easier, not harder. He's meant to be getting better and he's just not, and I don't know what to do to help him."

"You have to be there for him, just like you have been."

I sighed heavily and fell back onto my bed. This was a lot harder to except than I originally thought it would be. It's hard to sit and watch Harry fall apart for someone who was nothing but awful to me. She doesn't deserve his grief, but I can't exactly tell him that. He loved her and I have to understand why, not that I have been able to yet, but one day I might.

It's not like she ever gave me a reason to like her. Maybe if she had of given me a chance instead of just riding me off from the get go, we've could've been friends, but now that will never happen. For Harry's sake I wish I could grief her, but I can't do that. I can't pretend that I'm sorry that she's gone now she's dead, it's not right. Of course I never wanted her to pass. I just wanted her to leave me alone but she didn't and now look where she is.

"What time is he coming over?"

"He's not." She raised a questioning eyebrow to me. "I'm going to his house. Apparently he doesn't want to see anyone or come here. I think it reminds him too much of her." I explained. "Anyway I better get going. I'm bringing him lunch."

"Just be careful, yeah? You don't know what he might do. His rational thinking is clouded and I don't want you getting hurt because of it."

"I'll be fine Sarah. I know him and he'd never do anything to hurt me." I assured her before exiting the dorm and walking to my car.

I pulled up to Harry's house after a short drive and picked up the food from my front seat that I brought on the way over here.

I rang his doorbell and waited patiently for him to answer. When he didn't come I rang it several more times until I gave up and dialled his number. With no answer I checked the front door and it was unlocked. I had hopes that he wouldn't think I was rude for just walking in. Before I went to far into the house I called out his name.

"Harry it's Piper. Where are you?"

I wasn't sure why he didn't answer but I thought that he must be in his room so I tried my best to remember where it was and slowly made my way towards it.

His door was open the slightest bit and I could just see in. I peered through the crack but the room was too dark so I decided to go in.

Slowly pushing the door open I still couldn't see him anywhere. "Harry?" I called. "Ha-- oh god Harry."

The sight I saw in front of me was heartbreaking. Harry sat in the corner of his room with he knees brought to his chest. There was a slight whimper coming from lips so I rushed to his side to comfort him.

"Shh. It's okay, I'm here now. You're okay." I held him close as he cried in my arms.

I hated seeing Harry like this. He looked so broken and it was awful to watch. He had only brought his walls down around me once and that was nothing compared to this. He was much more composed, upset sure, but he's almost depressed now. I need to get him through this. He's spiralling, badly and if I don't pull him out soon, I don't know if he'll ever get out.

"The funerals on Thursday." Harry managed to say.

The coroner had to do a full investigation into her death so her family were only getting the body on Tuesday, well that was what I heard anyway. I didn't want to push Harry so I just didn't ask.

"Are you going?" I asked softly.

"I don't think I can. If I see her-- if I say goodbye it makes it real and I don't know if I can handle that."

"Look at me," I pulled away so I could look him in the eye, "you can do this. You're stronger than you know Harry. You think you can't, but you can." I reached over and held his hand. "And if you don't feel up to it you don't have to go."

"Can you?"

Oh no. "Can I what?" I asked, hoping my thoughts were wrong.

"Go with me to the funeral."

He can't seriously be asking me this. She hated me and I hated her, she wouldn't even want me there, I know she wouldn't. How am I supposed to mourn a girl that I didn't even like?

"Please Piper." His soft voice sounded so sad and I knew that I couldn't say no to this. "I need you."

"Of course I'll go with you." I smiled sadly at him, he failed to return it but I understood. "I brought Chinese food." I told him, changing the subject and directing my mind away from the thoughts of what she did to me.

"I'm not hungry."

"Harry you have to eat. I brought your favourite."

"Sweet and sour chicken?" I nodded. "I guess I could have a little bit." He gave in like I knew he would.

I helped Harry stand up and we made our way into the kitchen where I had left the food. I opened the containers and handed Harry his and a fork.

"Where's your mum anyway?" I asked.

"She's been working a lot lately. We need the money." Something seemed off but I guessed that it was just his grief making his tone sound unusual.

"Wouldn't she want to be here for you? You just lost somebody close to you, Harry. You shouldn't be alone right now."

"I'm fine Piper, okay?"

"Sure." I agreed but I didn't believe him for one second.