red | e.d

twenty eight

EDEN-JADE THURLOW
three days later.

I hadn't heard one word from Ethan. Not one.

The past three days had been spent in my bedroom, debating whether to text him, or whether to let him text me first. I felt like a naive teenage girl, stressing out about whether her boyfriend who wasn't even her boyfriend, hated her guts. Or whether it was really over this time.

Was it stupid to let myself fall for someone who wasn't even mine?

The only people who had spoken to me over my suspension had been my brother, of course. But also Luke, who has visited my house every single night without fail, bringing my favourite snacks, too. One night, Mackenzie and Katie even tagged along.

But, still no sign of Ethan.

He hadn't even texted, or called. I had no doubt in my mind that Luke had told him all about my mom, or about the state I was in. And he hadn't checked in on me.

I tried to shrug it off, hoping that he would turn up on my doorstep with a bouquet of flowers like the boys do in the movies. But it wasn't going to be that simple. My movie wasn't destined for a happy ending, and I'd known this all along.

" Jade... " My brothers voice was soon heard from the doorway of my bedroom, pulling me from my trance.
I looked up at him tiredly, the look that was plastered on his face being one of shock, pure astonishment, and sadness. He was pale, his usually tanned skin as white as could be, and his hair messy on top of his head. This was it.

It stayed silent between the two of us as my brother stared at me, trying to find the words. This gave me the chance to glance down at what he was holding, almost hiding it behind the door. Alex held his phone in his right hand, his free hand shaking slightly as he ran a hand through his hair, directing my eyes back up to his.

" S-She's gone, Jade " He announced, his words making me heart drop to the ground, and below.
Though I felt the impact deep within me, my facial expression didn't change. I stayed staring at him, speechless, unable to process what he had just told me. I'd cried all of my tears, and I don't think I had it in me to shed one more.

My brother entered my room and closed the door behind him, his footsteps the only sound in the room as he walked towards the chair opposite me. He sat down without a word and the two of us remained silent, each other's company enough to keep us at least a little sane, as we said everything we needed to say, without a single thing leaving our lips.

I hoped that she was at rest. In fact, I hope that now that my mother has left this cruel world, she is in the most perfect dream. Somewhere where everything is okay, where she won't have to worry.

I didn't cry, in fact I didn't even move. I glanced over at my brother who sat with his head in his hands, sniffling. He was crying, and this was what broke my heart into a thousand pieces.

I stood up and made my way towards him, sitting down on the armchair of the seat. I brought my arms around him and hugged my brother tighter than ever, simply letting him know that I was always there for him. I always would be.

RED

Would it be normal to invite him to my mothers funeral?

I wanted to, in fact, I knew that seeing his perfect face would calm me down and make me feel ten times better, on one of the worst days of my life.

My brother had left to go pick us up some dinner, and he was already figuring out the funeral arrangements. In fact, he'd been looking for venues ever since we were told that she wouldn't make it. He wanted to have it as soon as he could, so that we didn't drag out the sadness of planning it, constantly reminding ourselves of our loss. Of course we'll always feel it, but we needed to move on. She would have wanted that.

I hesitated on whether to text Ethan, and tell him. Tell him about my panic attack, about how my mother's dead, about everything that's happened within the past three days. But, as soon as this thought popped into mind, my phone buzzed from beside me.

I had never moved so fast in my life, snatching it into my hand, and opening it. I had a text message, and it wasn't by Luke, or Mackenzie, or Katie. Or even my brother.

The name at the top of the notification was the boy who I had been waiting to hear from. My heart dropped as I slid it to the right, his message lighting up my screen.

i'm sorry.

I didn't know how to respond, but as soon as I was about to ask whether he knew about my moms death, another message popped up.

luke just told me about
everything.

I gulped nervously, beginning to type back a response.

funeral is at aberlee field,
in two weeks.

i need you to be there, please

are you okay?
i should have been there for you

no
i miss you

i'll be over soon.

i'm so sorry.