I sit on the bench looking straight ahead, Em keeps looking at me expecting me to be crying. She doesn't know what to do, she just looks at me, waiting to comfort me but she can't. I can't, I'm frozen. This isn't real, so why should I cry? It's just a nightmare.
Gavin walks over to us and sits next to me on the bench.
"Ali, do you want me to take you and Em home?" He asks in a soft voice.
I nod, I can't drive. I can't even move.
"Em, you can get in the car we won't be long" Gavin tells Em.
She nods and quickly runs off. I watch her piggy-tails bounce as she runs, so cute.
I sit with Gavin while everyone files out of the hall, people look at me in pity as they walk past. I hate pity. They shouldn't worry about me.
"Are you ready to leave?" Gavin asks me, breaking the silence. I can't seem to form words so I just nod.
When I get home I walk straight upstairs and get into bed. When I wake up this will all be over.
"Sweetie, we are having breakfast downstairs if you want to join, you don't have to"
I recognise Nana's voice. I don't think I can open my eyes. Too early.
Wait! It's morning! It was all just a nightmare!
"Nana wait" I beg with my eyes still shut.
"What is it honey?" She asks sweetly.
"I, huh, I had the worst nightmare last night" I began.
"Sweetie-"
"No, let me finish. It was about Cole, he was dead and we were at his funeral" The more I think about it the ridiculous it sounds.
"Sweetheart.." Nana grabs my hands " sweetheart, that wasn't a dream"
"No, no it was" it was a dream! It so obviously was a dream.
"Ali, why don't you just come downstairs for something to eat, huh?"
