Empty Halls|| No Bullying Campaign✔️

5//Corey

9:00

"Skye," I whisper. Tears are flooding her eyes and she hiccups every few seconds. "Do you think Autumn and Fia are okay?"

She doesn't answer; she just stares blankly at the Polaroid picture being held between her skinny fingers. She sniffs and a tear falls on the picture.

"This," she whispers. "Was taken on his fifteenth birthday."

A single tear runs down her red cheek. Her lips form into a sad smile like she is recalling the memory with glee.

"We went to the county fair but they wouldn't let Barry in because he was gay. He played it off like it was no big deal but... I could tell he was really hurt."

She lets out a small chuckle and snot came out of her nose and tears sprang from her eyes. Wiping her snot away with her sweater she says, "I took him back to my house to sit on my bed and watch the Avengers; the whole time we just marveled over how hot Chris Evens is. I got out my Polaroid camera and told him to say cheese when he grabbed my hand and pulled my down next to him. That's when I snapped this."

I stare at the picture of a younger version of Skye and Barry. They are both laughing in a heap of brightly colored pillows. Love and joy is painted in Skye's eyes, a contrast to the puffy, melancholy filled eyes she is sporting now.

"That as two years ago, Corey. I always thought we would have so many more photos but now I don't even know if he will be around to see the end of my birthday today."

She starts to sob and I do the same. As much as I like Barry, I love Autumn and Fia. The thought of them lying dead in a pool of blood somewhere makes my heart rip in half.

"I'm sure Autumn and Fia are fine," she says softly as she leans her head against my shoulder.

"Happy birthday," I say to her.

"It was," she says in an abhorrent tone.