✔︎ |𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐒*𝐉𝐄𝐍𝐙𝐈𝐄

Ch//1 Memories

"We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of Melissa Ziegler. Mother, Daughter, Friend,
and life long companion. We will forever remember her with us, she is always here...in spirit. Now, I am told that her daughter..Maddie Ziegler will be speaking on her behalf"

Everyone turned their heads as Maddie rose from her seat and walked to the stage.

She cleared her throat as she began to speak. "My mother..was a graceful woman. She um...she was always there for us, and there for others. She was...a little secretive, but we didn't mind. For we loved her, and always will. Though we still don't know the full story on her death, we will soon. So...thank you all for flying down and being here for us in this time of need. Enjoy the memorial"

My sister got down off the stage and walked over to me, as everyone started to mingle. "Are you okay?" I looked down, and stared at my feet. I don't think I'll ever be okay. "Kenz?" Maddie asked once again, this time saddened and afraid.

I felt tears burning to come out. I wanted to show her I was strong.

But I wasn't...and I'm not...and I'll never be.

"Kenzie? You have to talk to me, or someone at least" I shook my head and tears started falling. All this pain I was feeling, it wouldn't go away.

It's like I'm stuck on a never ending loop of all the tragic things that have happened in my life.

I cheated death. Twice.

I've defeated my demons..well, one demon. Nadia slut Turner.

My best friend almost died.

Even my father tried to kill me!

It's all because of Johnny fucking Orlando...

~~~

"Wake up, wake up Kenz!" My eyes opened blissfully as the sun shown through our apartment bedroom.

I rubbed my eyes as I saw my sister sitting on the edge of my bed. "What? I'm tired"

She hopped up and went over to a bag on her bed.

"We are going to miss our flight. Hurry and pack" I looked over near her confused. Then remembered that we have to catch our flight back to Las Vegas.

I got up slowly, making sure I don't get light headed. "Okay. I'll brush my teeth first" I walked over to the bathroom and got ready. I started packing afterwards.

~~~

As we were getting seated on the plane, Maddie wouldn't stop babbling about how happy she was to see Kalani when she gets back.

Once we seated, I covered her mouth with my hand. "Can we please, talk about anything else"

She looked at me concerning, then nodded her head. "Yeah, sure. How about Johnny?" I glared at her. That name just brings up too much memories. "Mads.."

"We can talk about how you haven't spoken to him since we left. How you've been dodging his family, and how—" I cut her off, refraining her from speaking anymore dreadful events.

"I broke things off with Johnny for a reason" Maddie slumped back into her seat. "Yeah, because you believed he was the reason for your pain"

"What's done, is done Maddie. I can't feel guilty about it. And can you blame me?! Literally everything bad in my life happened, after I met him" Maddie shook her finger at me.

"Nope. Your forgetting something. Our father left when you were eight. That couldn't have possibly been his fault" I looked away from her and out the window as the plane started to take off.

"It doesn't matter anymore. It's over, okay. We're over..." I managed to get out through all the emotions I was feeling.

Going back to LA will probably be the worst thing ever, but it's my home. It's where I grew up, where my friends and family are. But..it's also where Johnny is...

"You don't sound so confident when saying that little Kenzie" I turned my head back towards her. She was folding her arms and sticking out her tongue. She always knew how to make me laugh.

"Okay fine. Let's just talk about Kalani" I got comfortable in my seat, ready for this long conversation of things that Maddie and Kalani are going to do once their back into college.

I'm not ready to face him. After these two weeks that gave me time to think, I'm still not ready to see him. Brynn, on the other hand. I've been waiting to see her since my mother's funeral. All my friends basically.

Just not, Johnny...