When The Willow Tree Broke

The Fair

Dear diary,
Today is going to be interesting. It's November 15th, 2016. I'm going to the fair with Hailey and some other friends today. I just hope I don't bump into those other girls again. They set me on edge lately. I just need to hope that they'll quit bothering me. It's so annoying! Everyone sees what they do to other people. They were making fun of one kid for wearing something related to anime. They went too far. The poor kid just stood there as everyone laughed. I know. I hate being laughed at. Nobody even dared to stand up for them. It wasn't solving anything; so I did what any reasonable person would do. I politely told them they needed to stop. They clearly didn't get the memo, so I said it louder. I'm pretty sure I've been on their hate list ever since. If I see them at the fair I'll probably sprint so fast I'd beat the world record for 200 meter sprints. Haha I wouldn't really, but still.
Sincerely,
Willow Delfine

Hailey drew in a sharp breath. "No wonder she sounded so anxious when we were by the Ferris wheel. She begged us to ride it later because she said she needed to use the bathroom." I didn't really care, she still hadn't said any specific names, but now I knew she had taken a hit. She was afraid of a group of girls. "Hailey, were there any other girls from your school by you guys at the time? Also, were you there when she stood up for that other kid?" Hailey rubbed her temples as if she were trying to piece together the information for a test. "I wasn't there when she stood up for the other kid, so it must have happened in the hallway. She never mentioned it to me. As for the fair, I can't really remember. It wouldn't surprise me though." I tried my absolute best not to tell Hailey to get out. I thought she was going to be helpful. Was I wrong?

"Although, I may have an idea of who she's talking about. Lilah Crossinger is the girl everyone in this group surround. This group is notoriously known to make fun of other kids. Ugh I guess I'll have to ask Lilah about Willow." I looked at Hailey in pure shock. "You'd ask the girl who could be the reason that my sister is gone, who you probably hate?" Hailey crossed her arms. Her eyebrows narrowed, as if it made her look anymore intimidating. "Willow is my best friend. If Lilah has any information about what happened or where Willow would be, I'll take the risk of getting humiliated." I guess I was wrong. Hailey could be really helpful. Plus, she was Willow's best friend. She was so loyal to Willow, and she would do anything for her.

"Ok, maybe we should find her after school so that I can hear what Lilah has to say too." Hailey just shook her head. "I don't want Willow's little bro having to deal with what she had to deal with. Just go home after school tomorrow and I'll call you." I didn't like the idea, but I guess I would have to comply. I was a year younger than Willow, so she and I had always gone to the same school. It was nice getting insight on all the teachers. She was pretty good at giving me advice, for a sister anyway. School, it was the one place I didn't want to go to these days. People would stare at me and whisper. I could hear their whispers, and they reminded me of all that I had lost these past few weeks. I was known as the, "Lost Sister Boy." It was cruel honestly. Every time I heard that I just wanted to crawl back home and hide under my bed. People say it's unusual for boys to cry, but I did. I cried a lot.

  I shed so many tears that I'm surprised there aren't stains on my face from all the salt water that has slid down it. I wanted Willow back. I had taken her for granted. I didn't realize how much she completed our family. Without her, there's a hole in our family. I remember so vividly how Mom crumpled up on the couch as she received a phone call from our school, explaining the worst news of our lives. Mom worked hard for us, and loved us so much. She always managed to smile, or so I thought. She wept uncontrollably for ten minutes at least. I still remembered the gut feeling that something was wrong when Willow didn't show up on our bus.

  Then there was Dad. I believed he would be able to comfort Mom and I. He never cried. Clearly that was a lie I had always told myself. That day we sat as he wrapped his arms around Mom and I. He sobbed so loudly that it echoed through my brain. We haven't addressed that day since. We get constant visits by our local sheriff. The news is always the same for us. "We haven't found her, but we'll keep looking." How far were they looking? Did they even really care? Now, after a month of torture and praying and wondering, I finally had the guts to open up Willow's stupid diary. I can only take a page at a time. If I go any further my emotions crash over me like a wave.

  "Aspen, Hailey, the lasagna is heated up. Come down and eat." Mom's voice rang through the house. Hailey walked out of my room, and I followed behind slowly. We passed Willow's room. It was so hard to think that she wasn't there hunched over her desk doing homework while singing to music blasting in her headphones. We walked downstairs and ate the lasagna. Mom didn't say much. In fact, we all sat there in pure silence.  Conversations were always started by Willow. So how could we possibly strike a conversation without her around?