Family Means Everything (Book 3)

Chapter 11

Katherine's POV

I get home in time for dinner and we all sit down as a family. Alex made a delicious meal for us. The normal chatter occurs until Mike and Alex stand up. We turn to face them.

"We have an announcement," Alex says.

"Alex and I have decided to take the boys on a road trip," Mike tells us. I'm happy for them. I think all five of them could use some time away. The rest of my sisters seem to have the same thought as me. Well, all except Christina.

"Have fun you guys!" Lisa tells them while smiling.

"But not TOO much fun, especially not without me," Dani says and we laugh.

"When are we leaving?" Nick asks excitedly.

"First thing tomorrow morning," Alex responds.

"Alright!" Joey, Nick and Christian say while high fiving each other. I love their enthusiasm.

"Excuse me," Christina says and abruptly gets up from the table. I look at Bella and she looks back at me. Her and I both get up at the same time and together we go find Christina.

I realize she's not in the house so Bella and I put shoes on and walk down to the beach figuring she's there.

Sure enough, we see a silhouette of a young woman. Approaching her, I know it's my older sister.

"Chrissy," Bella says quietly. Christina quickly swivels and sees us.

"Hi," she whispers.

"Are you okay?" I ask. She nods.

"Yeah I just wanted some air. Sorry if I scared you," she says, looking straight at Bella when she says the second part. Did I miss something? I must be because Bella nods in understanding. She knows something more but her and Christina are close, that's obviously why. I try not to get jealous.

"It's okay," Bella sighs. Her and I sit down next to Christina and look out at the water. The waves that lap against the shoreline are calming.

I feel my doubts creeping in and staying though and I decide to just get them out.

"We're gonna be okay right?" I ask.

"Of course, us siblings will be forever together and strong," Christina tells me and grabs my hand, she grabs Bella's hand too.

"Forever," I echo.

"Forever," I hear Bella faintly whisper. Then she makes a sound like she's choking back tears. I see Christina let go of her hand and rub her back. Both her and I try to reach Bella's gaze but she refuses to meet ours.

"Everything okay sweetie?" I ask.

"Fine," Bella quickly says and stands up. She walks towards the water and stands so that her feet get wet.

I look at Christina and she looks even more scared and sad than I do. I didn't even think that was possible.

"She keeps pulling away from me, from us," Christina says. I agree.

"Yeah... Something is definitely wrong," I say. I see Christina turn to watch our younger sister.

"She seems so lost," she says. Her and I sit there in silence, there's no words needed to know what the other is thinking.

Bella's POV

I stare out at the blue ocean. I keep asking myself why I'm so stubborn. All I need is someone to talk to and help me yet I refuse to let them in. I can see how worried Christina and Kath are.

I get up and see that the two of them are watching me. I walk past the bench they're sitting on and go home. They're walking a little ways behind me, I can tell.

I head straight to the bathroom where I grab a blade and cut myself. Once for being stubborn. Two for hurting my sisters. Three for hating myself. Four for how much stress I'm under. Then I pause and realize what I've done.

My hip is bleeding pretty bad now. Shit! I wash it and put a whole bunch of bandaids to cover it. I clean the blade and hide it again.

I emerge and see Amy sitting in the hallway. I give her a weird look.

"I was waiting for the bathroom," she says.

"Oh, sorry," I tell her and she shrugs and goes in.

I get to my bedroom but the door is closed and I can hear voices inside. I put my ear to the door and I can tell it's Christina, Katherine, and Lisa.

"I'm really worried too," Lisa says.

"I just don't know how to help her," Christina says and I hear her sniffle. She's probably crying. My heart feels heavy. I hate hurting them.

"She keeps pushing us away," Kath states.

"Maybe we should confront her together," Lisa suggests. I don't wait to hear responses before I casually open the door and walk in. They quickly sit up straight, pretending they're just talking about nothing important.

"Bella, sit down," Kath instructs. I sit on her bed as Lisa closes the door. I notice I was right about Christina, her face is red and she has tear streaks down her cheeks.

"We're concerned about you, we want to help you," Lisa says.

"Haven't I told you enough times already that I'm fine?!" I yell. Why can't I let them break down my walls again? I need them to but I'm not letting them. Ugh, I don't know what to do.

I stand up and walk towards the door but I suddenly feel someone wrap their arms around my waist. It hurts so bad, my cuts are there, I slap her away. I turn around to see Christina who starts to bawl.

"I-I'm sorry," I stutter and then run out the door. It's raining outside but I still find myself outside. I walk for a while until I come to a bridge. I look down at the water below and I feel calm.

I begin singing without realizing it.

I'm standing on a bridge

I'm waiting in the dark

I thought that you'd be here by now.

There's nothing but the rain

No footsteps on the ground

I'm listening but there's no sound

Isn't anyone trying to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home?

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand

Take me somewhere new

I don't know who you are

But I... I'm with you

I'm with you

I'm looking for a place

I'm searching for a face

Is anybody here I know?

Cause nothing's going right

And everything's a mess

And no one likes to be alone

Isn't anyone trying to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home?

I collapse to the ground and cry my heart out. Why do I hurt so much?