The Forgotten

Chapter 8

The next morning I woke up really early, like 7am. I wasn't going to school either. I got up and since i was the first one up I decided to make some coffee for my mom and aunt. She had slept in Sarah's room, it was the first time anyone had went in there since she passed. Saying still hurt like hell.

Soon after the coffee was done Aunt Joyce was up, I knew she would be, she's always up early. "Morning dear." She said, her chipper self was still gone. "Good morning, I made you some coffee." I said with a smile, wow now I'm the chipper one, that's a switch. "Oh thanks sweetie, that's wonderful of you." She said, with a slightly happier tone. She got some coffee and sat down and put the tv on. "We don't have many channels, like at your house." I said. "Oh, that's okay." She said. "Before I forget, I wanted to ask if you would like to come along with me today to get the kids." Aunt Joyce asked me. "Sure, I need to get out anyway." I said, I hadn't been out for a few days. "Great." She said.

About 15 minutes passed, neither of us said anything. Then my mom got up. "Morning." Was all she said, she seemed angry, not sad like before. That's how she deals with things sometimes, with anger. She got some coffee and sat down next to me, not saying a word, but just grunting. "Aunt Joyce asked if I wanted to go with her to get Jackson and Maria, is that okay?" I asked. "I don't care, whatever you want to do." She said with an attitude. I didn't question it, I just really wanted to get out of the house.

Maybe an hour later, aunt Joyce and I were both ready to go, and it was only about 9 am. We got in the car and she turned on the radio, she listened to country music all the time, which wasn't my favorite type of music, but I didn't complain. I wanted so badly to put in my earbuds and rock out to my own music, but I felt that would be rude.

Before I knew it, it had been 20 minutes and neither of us said a word. She turned the radio down. "Be honest honey, are you okay?" She asked me. "Y-yes I'm fine." I studdered. "You don't have to lie to me. It's only the two of us here." She said. Her words, for some reason comforted me. I looked at her with a half smile. "I saw a cut on your arm this morning, I didn't want to say anything in front of your mother. Be honest sweetie, I won't be angry or upset. Did you do that to yourself?" She asked. I felt guilt, sadness. I wasn't going to lie to her, I trusted her, right now, more than anyone. "Well to be honest, yes. But I regretted it right away and I'm not ever planning on doing it again." I said, honestly. "Good. Carly, hurting yourself won't do anyone any good. But I understand." She said, "promise me though, never again." "Yes I promise. I will never purposely cut myself again." I said. "Good. I love you honey. And I'm always here if you want to talk." She said. "Thank you so much. You don't know how much it means to have you here." I said tearing up. She smiled.

Before I knew it we were pulling up in her driveway, Jackson and Maria had stayed home from school. We opened the door and went in. "Oh my gosh, Carly!!!" I turned around to see Maria standing there. "Maria! Hey!" I said, giving her a hug. "Where is your brother?" Aunt Joyce asked Maria. "Sleeping. He wouldn't get up when I told him to." Maria said. "I'm gonna kick his butt!" She said running up the stairs to his room. Maria was completely ready, bag packed and everything. "So what's going on anyway?" Maria asked. "We'll explain in the car I guess." I said.

20 minutes later, Jackson was finally ready, and we were headed back out the door. "So like what's happening?" Jackson asked as soon as we got in the car. "I'll tell them" I said. I explained everything about Sarah. Maria was sobbing and Jackson was just staring straight ahead not knowing how to react. The next 25 minutes of the car ride we completely silent. "Maria tell Carly about you making the cheer squad." Aunt Joyce said breaking the silence. Maria said nothing. "Um Jackson, want to tell Carly about that band your in?" She said. "Um I dunno." He said. "You're in a band?" I asked him. "Yeah." Was all he said. No one bothered to say anything the rest of the ride home.