Rise (Colton Dixon)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Alexis

A funeral two days ago, a wedding yesterday. Just **** it all.

Mom keeps saying it's beautiful. Like the circle of life. I think she's full of ****.

I mean, first of all, a wedding is not the beginning of life. At all. Second, a wedding and a funeral are only two points in someone's life out of a lot. And anyway, this week has been the furthest thing from beautiful anyway.

I mean, Danny died a week ago. Danny died. Just when I thought I had someone who would always be there for me, he died. The universe obviously hates me.

And I had to see it happen. I cried so much that night, before it happened, and then when he finally let go, that I could resist it otherwise. For the most part, at least. Especially with the help of my razor.

I felt like crying yesterday. I had to be her ****** maid of honor. It was so sweet, so perfect looking, for me to come in before her, all dolled up like it's not just putting lipstick on a pig. It made me want to puke. Isn't your maid of honor supposed to be someone you actually care about?

And then there was him. I'd already had to see him a few times, at dinner a few times, at the rehearsal, but none of that was horrible, because he and Mom were too busy with each other to notice much of me.

But yesterday, you'd think I was the one who'd freaking married him. Everyone wouldn't shut up about how good it was to see us together again. How they remembered how adoring I was as a child.

I was stupid as a child. Just freaking stupid.

And now he's living with us. At least I've got the weekend to myself, while they're off on their ******* honeymoon. If I had more than one freaking friend, I could have a party.

I sigh as I stare at the window in front of me. We used to have huge windows, before we moved. A huge bay window in the middle of the living room, where Nana always read to me. And it had a gorgeous view of the mountains.

Now, I'm stuck with one that I can barely squish myself into, and all I can see is Denver. But it's better than nothing, I guess.

At least Christmas is over. That sucked.

New Year's Day. A new year without Danny. A new year with a freaking jail bird who thinks he's living with us. Fantastic. Freaking fantastic.

"**** it," I mutter into the closed window.

What the heck am I even gonna do for three stupid days? Sit here and cut and cry? Honestly, I'm beginning to miss freaking school.

I shudder at the thought. You know what? No I'm not.

But for real. This sucks.

I should run. After all, I did have to choke down cake this week, and I was pushing it before that. I'd hate to see it now.

Oh, just get up and deal with the consequences of your idiotic decisions, you disgusting ball of lard.

You know what, I'm right. I've just gotta deal with it.

Reluctantly, I slip out of the window and to my room below.

If I'm not careful, I won't fit up there anymore.

I open my door and don't bother to shut it, crossing the hall to the bathroom and kicking the scale out from behind the door. Here goes nothing.