That One Game.

a f t e r - d a v i d

She was... She was fantastic. Amazing. Literally perfection in the human form was Grace.

She never bitched. She never told you things you wouldn't want to hear. She'd always tell you the truth.

I've been friends with her since that awful first day at primary school.

We were both young and stupid. At the tender age of five where we were discovering how to form letters.

A for apple.

B for bat.

C for cat.

It was break time when I met Grace. She had two pigtails either side of her head. Her eyes sparkled and she talked so quickly you couldn't understand a word she said.

"Hi." The young Grace said to me as I sat on the bench alone.

"Hi." I mumbled back.

"Do you want some?"

She held out a p and j sandwich and from then on we were friends.

She was incredibly smart was Grace. Predicted A* in everything and got all A* on her mocks.

I grew up in envy of Grace. She had the grades, the friends and everyone loved her.

And as much as I wanted to hate her for being Little Miss Perfect, I couldn't.

She'd find silver linings in everything. I wish I had that talent.

I used to think I did. But now I'm not so sure.

I can't find a silver lining in Grace's death.

•

"Come on David!" My mother screeches at me.

I move limply round my dark blue room. Watching out for the bed as I left the room.

I walk down the wood stairs quietly.

I stand at the kitchen door, looking at my pale mother.

"Come on David! Speak to me!" She begs me.

I look away to the fruit bowl filled with different rotting fruits; an apple, pears and brown bananas.

My mother walks over to me, stopping just a few inches away from me.

"David, you have to tell me what's going on!" My mother is crying heavily, shaking my shoulder, as if she could free my locked up voice.

She can't.

I let as tear drip down my face as I turn away from her, leaving her hand to fall to her side.

Her sobs are choke filled. Filled with loneliness. Filled with regrets. Filled with concern.

I slowly walk out of the door, hearing nothing but my mothers sobs and my feet slapping the floor.

The walk to goodness knows where is quiet. I say nothing but my brain is on overdrive. I think about everything from football to Grace.

I take off running. I run down the pavement, avoiding scared looking citizens. Mothers pull children close to their legs and dog owners shoo their dogs to the side, so I avoid stepping on them.

I only have one place in mind. At first I was going to call at Hunter's. It always best to be with someone who loves you and knows how you feel.

I can't go to Hunter's. He'll be looking after Ella anyways. I don't want to be more baggage.

I thought I was going to suffer most from Grace's death but I think Ella has it worst. I can almost picture Ella's face, stained with tears and having only Hunter to help her. She was her best friend.

I do want to help her but I have my own demons to battle.

I run towards the farmers field. The green grass is soft as if you are walking on fluffy clouds. The quiet tweet of the birds is soothing and lulling.

I stop abruptly and fall to the ground.

Saying nothing, doing nothing.

I CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIGHT MY DEMONS.