Survivor (The Fault in Our Stars fanfiction)

Chapter One

Hello, my name is Courtney.

I think I got my name from my great aunt or something.

I never really knew the real reason..

When I was a little girl, I was very playful.

I didn't have a lot of friends but I had lots of energy.

I would always be outside jumping around with my brother on the trampoline.

My golden curls would bounce around and my blue eyes would shine like a topaz in the sun shine.

His short brown hair and hazel eyes would glow in the sky light as well.

My parents loved it that we didn't have one care in the world.

In my family, I found myself the kid that everyone loves.

Or at least, that everyone did.

My brother, James was born the same day as me, only a few years older.

On September 14th, when I was born, everything changed.

He was my best friend growing up.

Since our family has a tradition of not being able to make many friends, having a brother came in handy.

We could tell each other anything.

When I was sad, I always knew he would be there.

If he was mad, I could always figure out something to calm him down.

If it was a smile, to a joke.

I always knew, and so would he.

James wasn't that annoying growing up.

I mean, of course we fought about stupid little things.

All families do.

But we loved each other.

I mean, until we grew up.

Now we hate each other.

We can't communicate.

Things have changed so much since my mother died.

I was around 3 years of age.

All I can remember is waking up one night to hear daddy come home.

Alone.

He left with mommy to their friends party.

There probably was a lot of drinking. But we didn't think to much of it.

But she didn't come home with him.

I thought she spent the night there or something.

But all I know is we didn't see her for weeks until my dad finally told us what happened.

He tried to keep it a secret for a long time, though.

He probably didn't feel like talking about it.

The only thing I remember him telling us is "Never Drink and Drive."

I mean, me and James were only infants so we wouldn't understand what it meant anyway.

Things have changed a lot.

James and I stopped talking as much.

Dad hasn't been the same lately either.

He would spend all day in his room and would never come out.

When he did come out it was either to go get something to eat or go to the bathroom.

He would spend all night in bars drinking, though.

Daddy told me that it helps him forget about things.

I guess not having our mom around nobody knows what to do.

He's been in AA now for four years.

It doesn't really help him, though.

Dad waited to tell us what his meetings were for until we were old enough to understand.

James and I still didn't understand.

Now we do.

The only thing we don't understand is why he drinks, if drinking is the reason mom died.

Maybe if she was still here our lives would be better.

Maybe, my life would be better.