Broken: Emily's Story

20

Is that your sister? Eric asks, indicating the video. I look up. His brown hair is wet from the shower. And I don't know why I pick now to realize his eyes are brown too.

I nod. He looks at the video. You guys are terribly off-key, he says. He kind of laughs a bit as he says that.

Yeah, we know. That's why we were laughing, I say, smiling.

She's extremely mature for a ten-year old, he says. That may partially be my fault, I say, remembering how often I had told her about how I felt all the time.

I look up at the poster. We both listened to that a few years ago, I say. He looks over at the poster. Huh. I didn't even know you listened to music, he says, looking back at me.

I did until she died. Then I kind of threw my music at a wall and stopped, I say. The pieces had lain shattered on my floor for a week before I picked them all up. I picked them up the day Dad quit his job.

Wow. Ok then, he said. Don't be surprised. After all, I do cut myself, I say. He flinches when I say that, like I'd cut him. Why did that bother him? It doesn't bother me and I'm the one that does it.

On that note, come on, he says. He pulls his shoes on. I don't move. He looks back at me. What's wrong? He says.

I'm not a people person, I say, which is a complete understatement.

Come one, you'll be fine. You don't have to talk to anyone, he says. I still don't move. There's a long pause and then he sighs.

Well, fine. I'm going to go, whether you do or not. You can watch T.V. or something until I get back, he says. He pauses and then leaves the room.

The instant he leaves the room I feel alone. But I still don't get up. No matter how lonely I was I'd rather be alone than laughed at. I was tired of that.

I hear the front door close behind him. I'm still sitting on the bed. A minute passes.

I get up and pull my shoes on. I pull my hoody on and leave his room. I go through his house and out the door. He wasn't too far down the sidewalk.

Eric, I called, my voice cracking from the volume. He turns at my voice. I walk quickly to catch up to him and he just waits on the sidewalk.

When I'm in earshot, he calls, What made you change your mind? I stop next to him.

I'm tired of being alone, I say.

I swear I see him smile.