The Day the Stars Fell | Sequel to tfios

Chapter Two

Of course, in these two years without Augustus, I still had cancer. And now because I was depressed, and I admit I am, my mother still sends me to support group. It doesn't help one bit, but I'm sort of Isaac's ride there and back. 

Of course, Patrick still reads off of the list of all the members that have passed and at the very bottom of the  list is Augustus. Every time is name is brought up, my heart races. Then there is that small part of me that still breaks at the mention of his name. 

Patrick looks up at me after reading off the list. He stares at me for a long time before taking a deep breath. 

"How are you doing, Hazel?" He asks after a few minutes. Everyone's attention turned to me.

I looked back at Patrick and shrugged my shoulders. He sighed and turned his attention to Isaac who sat on my left. 

"What about you, Isaac?" 

I awaited Isaac's response, wanting to hear what he had to say. He took a few minutes before finally responding.

"I'm good." Patrick nodded and smiled. 

"That's wonderful!" he reached down to his side and picked up his guitar. "Shall we sing a song?" 

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Afterward, I took Isaac home. When he was successfully inside with his parents, I got back in my car and drove to the gas station. I walked in with my cart wheeling behind me. 

I walked up to the counter and looked behind the lady at the different packs of cigarettes. 

"What can I get you?" The cashier asked. My eyes landed on the same brand of cigarettes Gus had. 

"I'll take a pack of those cigarettes," I requested, pointing to the pack on the middle shelf. The lady gave me a questioning look, but still grabbed them for me. 

"That'll be two ninety-nine," She said, ringing up the cigarettes. I reached in my pocket and pulled out the correct money.

 I thanked her before grabbing the cigarette pack and wheeling my cart out behind me. I walked to my car slowly before getting in.

I sat there for the longest time, looking at the pack of cigarettes in my hands. My heart picked up its pace and my lip began to quiver. I laid my head against the steering wheel as I let out loud sobs, tears running down my face. 

"Why?" I kept asking in between sobs. "Why him? Why not me? He did nothing wrong! He was a good person!" 

I continued to sob until I had no breath left. My face felt puffy and I knew it was stained with tears. I threw the pack of cigarettes on the passenger seat and turned the car on, pulling out of the gas station and heading home. 

When I returned home, I ignored my parents and went straight to my room. I laid on my bed and pulled the covers up to my chin. I looked over at my end table where a picture frame sat, holding a picture of Augustus and I from our trip to Amsterdam. 

I reached over and picked up the picture, bringing it closer to my face. I held back more tears that threatened to spill. I quickly placed the picture frame back in his place. 

I rolled over and closed my eyes, beginning to drift off to sleep. It wasn't long before my mom knocked  on my door, waking me up. 

I sat up slightly, looking her way with a small glare. 

"Sorry," she apologized. "I just wanted to see if you alright."

"Yeah," I muttered before laying back down with my back towards her. I heard her let out a sad sigh. 

I felt bad for shutting my mom out. After all, she was just trying to help me. I quickly sat up to tell her goodnight, but she was already gone. I let a single tear slip down my cheek before laying down and finally falling asleep.