Once Upon A Broken Heart

7

--PAST--

"Bet you can't catch me!" Juliet said running around the bed like a crazed monkey on drugs. I gave the statement a thought then quickly grabbed her by the waist.

"I'm sorry how much were you betting?" I said with a smirk and she rolled her eyes.

"You can't let me win once?" Juliet asked with pleading eyes.

"Um lemme think about that no. Its one of the many perks of being the older twin." I stated and she groaned.

"2 minutes for the love of God! It doesn't make you dominant over me!" Juliet protested.

"I'd like to beg to differ."

"Don't beg just ask." Juliet said and I laughed.

"Emma, Juliet! Get to bed. Its a school night and way past your bedtime." Mom said and we both groaned.

"But mom! It's not like university's care about what their students do in grade five!" Juliet said and I nodded.

"Plus the bedtime of 9:00 is simply preposterous! We are not five! We are capable of staying up until like 9:30,or even later" I said and Juliet echoed 'later' for dramatic effect.

Mom laughed and rolled her eyes. "Why did I have to give birth to two remarkably unique little girls." Mom said and Juliet flipped her hair.

"Because one isn't enough"  She said.

"Sure sure now Emma, tuck your sister into bed." Mom said

"Mom you don't understand, its not just 'tucking her into bed', there is a entire procedure that goes with it that if done wrong has to be repeated or else Juliet will just not sleep. It takes a very steady hand and a fabulous person to master this art." I said and she rolled her eyes and left, leaving the door open but not too open but not too closed just so there is the correct amount of light shining of Juliet's bed. (She's afraid of the dark).

I turned to Juliet, who's smile was wide and toothy. She knew what lay ahead and she enjoyed it every time.

"Alright your highness your magical soft and fluffy bed awaits you." I said, it was a different line every day. That part always made her smile though so it was worth spending all day figuring out what to say. She jumped into bed and awaited step two of the procedure.

"Okay so once upon a time there was a girl named Alice. She was beautiful and smart and had the heart of an angel-"

"Sounds like you Em." Juliet said and I smiled.

"No she's you Jules. Okay so she lived a normal life. One brother, one sister, both parents and lived in a happy village called woodcreek. But one day, everything changed... Now you're going to have to wait until tomorrow to see what changed for Alice." I said and she groaned.

"God I hate your stupid cliff hangers!"

"You'll learn to love the art of suspense" I said and pulled her blanket up so she was warm.

"There you go, nice and warm" I said and kissed her forehead.

"Now say goodnight Jules."

"Goodnight Jules" She said and I smiled then turned off the lights and went to my bed and closed my eyes.

"Hey Emma."

"Yeah Juliet?"

"Do you think anyone would ever fall in love with me?" She asked and I smiled.

"Well duh, your perfect."

"Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you"

"I love you more."

"Not possible I'm afraid."

"I'd like to beg to differ" I said and she laughed.

"Stop begging"

"Never."

---AT THE FUNERAL---

"Juliet was a beautiful and extraordinary girl. She always managed to light up every room she entered. Her laugh was like a drug, you just cant get enough of it. She was brave and thoughtful and kind and I don't think I've ever gotten into a fight with her. She was just that wonderful. It was impossible to not love her. So wherever she is right now I think we can agree she wouldn't want us to be sad. She hated all things sad and did everything in her power to make the sadness go away. So can everyone just smile. Not for the fact that she's gone, but for all the memories. For all the endless laughter fits, for all the tears she wiped away, for everything. I wont ever forget Juliet, I don't think anyone you will, she left a footprint on us. She has a piece of my heart, so wherever she is she will have a piece of my heart. And I know that one day my heart will lead me to her. I love her. I will always love her. I love you Juliet." Her boyfriend Grayson said.

Although his speech was cute and precise I couldn't find myself to smile. I haven't been able too since she left. Juliet on the other hand would have loved that speech, but her insecurities would have taken over and she would have said none of the things were true, she would get shy and then kiss him. She would hold him so tight that it would seem as if she would never let go.

"Emma, you're up." My mother said, the tears haven't stopped rushing down her face since it happened. Although I wanted to cry for some reason my tears just wouldn't escape my eyes. They placed themselves in there and refused to leave. 

I walked up to the podium, looked at everyone, and somehow managed a smile.

"There is so many people here today. Although many of you are crying she would have loved to see how many people came today just for her, mainly because she never believed this many people cared for her, but then she'd make all of you stop crying because as you all know 'sad faces are for clowns.'" I paused and saw the smiles creeping upon the faces of certain people who remembered the famous line.

"Once we were walking back from the mall, shopping bags in her hands, candy bags in mine. I cant remember what for but we were laughing for what seemed like forever but then she stopped and stared directly in front of her. I was confused at first then saw what she was running towards. There was a girl, sitting on the park bench crying. Juliet sat beside her and asked her what was the matter. The girl looked taken aback, who could blame her though? Wouldn't you all be if a random stranger asked you what was wrong? But Juliet completely disregarded that minor detail and acted as if they were best friends. Juliet said it was okay, that she could trust her. The girl then said that she caught her boyfriend cheating on her and Juliet then ranted like there was no tomorrow. She seemed genuinely affected by this strangers problems. She talked about how this guy was not worth her precious tears, then wiped them away with her thumb. She then said that sad faces were for clowns. The girl laughed and smiled and Juliet rummaged through her shopping bags and found the skirt that she absolutely adored. She gave it to the girl and said 'Here, wear this in front of him and then see who feels bad then.' The girl was overwhelmed. She couldn't thank her enough. Juliet didn't accept thank you's though, there was no need too she said, 'I chose to help why should I get anything in return.'" 

"She once told me she hated the concept of crying. Like, wasn't it gross to know that fluids came from your eyes, streaming down like they owned the place and leaving your face sticky in the end. Then again we were four and she hadn't experienced life yet. I didn't really prepare a speech today because whenever I sat myself down, pencil and paper at my disposal, I couldn't write her name over and over again. I got stuck and realized I needed her to help. She was my rock. I need her. I love her." I looked over to the casket where she lay, her skin a paleish green and her eyes closed. She looked like she was sleeping. Then I saw the giant scar on the side of her face.

"You promised you'd never leave me. I guess you never thought this would happen so don't worry, I still love you. To the moon and back." I stepped down the podium and placed both hands onto the casket. Finally, the tears had left. They couldn't hold back anymore and I didn't want them too. 

"Say goodnight Jules."