I Can't Breathe

Ch 11: After

Ali's POV:

I woke up at 5:00 am. I was going to go see Alex even if my parents didn't like it.  I decided that I'd get breakfast on the road. I brushed my teeth and  I ran the tub. Once I was undressed I got in and let the hot water engulf me. It was one of the best feelings especially since I had a feeling that it was going to be cold today. I washed my hair and as I finished I heard the phone ring. Who the hell is phoning at 5:30 in the morning. I heard one of my parents fumble around before picking it up. I heard mubling and then they hung up. I rinsed my soap off and decided to soak for a minute before I'd have to get going. I dunked my head under the water and came back up as my mom came into the bathroom.

"Mom!" I cried.

"Oh come on Alison you came out of me I've seen you in the tub before." I couldn't argue with that. 

"Fine but what do you need, I have to get going." I said flatly

"Um, about going to see Alex today..." She began. I cut her off before she could finish.

"Mom, I'm going whether you like it or not okay!" I spat.

"No, it's not about that, you can't go see Alex today." 

"Why not?" I demanded. I was so sick of her excuses ever since Harrison died she's been Helicopter Mom.

"Because, well honey, there is no easy way to say this but... Umm... Last night... Umm... Alex... Well she passed away." I felt like I had been punched in the gut. No this had to be a mistake. Alex was never supposed to die. I sunk back into the tub and my mom was trying to say something but I couldn't hear her. My vision was watery and my hearing seemed to be closed. I felt some water role down my cheeks and I couldn't tell if it was tub water or tears. My mom sat with me and I cried. She was dead, Alex was dead.

Hanna's POV:

Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz.

I woke with a start. My stupid alarm clock got ahead of itself... again. I groaned and rolled over. I fumbled around, knocking things off my night side table before I finally clicked the alarm. The clock said it was 5:17 am. I groaned again and rolled back into the middle of my bed.  I felt my eyes flutter shut and then the phone rings. Ugh why????? I guess if they're phoning at 5:20 am it must be important. I was about to go get the phone when I hear my dad pick it up. Mumbling. More mumbling. Finally I hear an "Okay, I'll tell her, thank you so much and I'm so so sorry, we'll see you for sure on Tuesday" and he hung up. Who was he talking to and what was happening on Tuesday? I sat up just as he came through the door.

"Dad! You scared me. Who was on the phone?" I asked sleepily

"So you heard that, huh" He rubbed his eyes.

"Listen, Dad, if you're dating again, I'm fine with it, Mom's been gone for almost 7 years, just tell me and you don't have to take phone calls from her at 5 am." I smiled.

"Oh, no, no, no sweetheart, it's not that" he laughed, "but you'd be okay if I was to start dating again?" he asked.

"Yes, Dad, of course, as long as she isn't phoning at 5:00 am." I smiled. He smiled but then a sad look came over his face.

"Well that's nice, but this wasn't about my relationship status, honey, there's something I need to tell you."

"Okay," I replied feeling that this was a serious topic for 5:30 in the morning.

"It's about Alex... she uh... she passed away." he said. It was like my world had come crashing down on me. Not Alex, no, this couldn't be right, she was never supposed to die and yet here was my dad, sitting in front of me telling me she was dead. I felt tears stream down my face and my dad engulf me in a hug but I couldn't hear anything. I was in shock. My best friend was gone.