Distant Mirage || 13 Reasons Why [ 0 ]

20

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SEPTEMBER

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Bailey didn't leave her room for the week after her brothers deaths, she stayed curled up in her bed; refusing to speak to anyone. She'd had countless visitors, all of her friends coming to sit with her; trying to get her to eat or shower. But she couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to live without Drew and Jeff.

Tony had hardly left her house, sleeping on her floor every night since it happened. He tried to help her, every night she'd wake up screaming; the bloodied faces of the boys haunting her sleep. Her hands trembling and tears dripping down her cheeks, her sobs muffled by her pillow. It was horrific to watch.

The Matthews girl let Tony dress her like a doll as she stood in her room, staring at the bathroom wall. He pulled the black dress up her body, zipping it up at the back. He moved her hair from her shoulder, letting it fall down her back. Kalani had curled it for her, pinning back some of her hair from the front. Bailey looked over her appearance as her eyes welled with tears, but not one fell.

'I don't want to go,' She whispered; 'I don't want this to be real.'

Tony paused for a second out of shock, his eyes wide as he looked at his best friend.

'I can't do this,' She whispered so softly it almost wasn't audible.

She met his eye in the mirror, a single tear dripping down her cheek. He had never heard the word, can't, leave her mouth before. It was like a stab to his chest. He didn't know what to say, his eyes roaming over her face.

'Bailey, sweetheart,' Maria poked her head around the corner; 'It's time.'

The girl didn't reply, or show any sign that she was going to, causing the woman to sigh. Tony lead her out of the bathroom and to her room, adding one last thing he knew she needed. He passed her the envelope that sat on her desk, Drew's name written on it. She took it into her shaking hands, a long sigh leaving her mouth as she looked over it.

Bailey walked slowly with her best friend out of the house and down to where her car was parked, sliding into the passenger seat. She stayed silent as they drove through the town, her hand gripping at Tony's after a moment. She met his eye, flicking the blinker on before she turned the wheel toward the Atkins household.

'What're you doing?' He asked.

'We're picking Jenny and Harris up,' She muttered.

He nodded, not questioning her as he took back control of the car. Bailey slipped out of the car once it was parked into the Atkins driveway, Tony beeping the horn twice. She turned and sent him a teary smile, nodding in thanks before she continued up to the front door; she knocked on it lightly, stepping back to wait.