The Truth Behind Every Lie

Chapter Six: 'didn't expect him to be.'

2 weeks.

It's been 2 weeks.
2 weeks since it happened.

And in those 2 weeks, nothing had changed.

I had moved back into my parents house, however I had hardly spoken to them.

I had spent my days watching out the window as the morning sun lit up the street, bringing life into the trees, grass and bushes.

I wish it would take just the sun to bring back the life into me.

I wasn't the same.
I wasn't the same strong, sweet, fierce, lovely Natalia that everyone once knew.

I was now a weak and emotionless bitch.

"Nat, are you ready?" I heard my mum's voice call up from downstairs.
I smoothed out the creases in my dress, sighed before shouting back down a yes.

I met my parents at the front door, my dad smiled at me genuinely.

My mum handed me my jacket, "you look nice Nat."

I took it off her and slipped my arms through the sleeves, "thanks." My response was icy.

My mum looked..hurt?

I unlocked the front door and stepped out into the crisp air of the morning.
I felt the wind blow around my ankles whilst my dress flapped in the wind.

It was warm in the car though, too bad the car journey was spent with 20 minutes of silence.

I remained silent even when we arrived.
I got multiple 'hello's' from people, but I responded with a nod each time.

I didn't recognise half the people here, and there was probably around about 200 people standing together and chatting.
I felt like an outsider, I hardly knew anyone. I mean I recognised quite a few people I had met before.
Quite a few people came over and gave me their condolences, I felt as if there was a label over my head stating my relationship with Tyler because they knew me but I didn't know them. Or maybe I did, just didn't remember them?

I sensed a presence next to me and a cool hand touched my shoulder, "Don't worry, I don't know many of them either." I heard someone chortle next to me.

"Who are they?" I asked back flatly.

"Family, friends, Tyler's high school friends, College friends, maybe not the ones you knew and work colleagues," the voice next to responded with a sigh, "where's the ring?" I felt the hand on my shoulder move to my ring finger, which was bare.

I took my hand away from her and then pulled out a necklace from underneath the top of my dress, I let the necklace sit on top of my dress revealing the circular jewel that had been looped through a chain.

Aaliyah stepped out in front of me, "you're wearing it around your neck?" She frowned.

I shrugged, "technically I'm no longer engaged so why wear it on the finger?"

Aaliyah collected herself before pulling me into a tight hug, "Talia, I know it's hard. He was my brother. I'll never ever get over it but I have to be strong for my parents. You need to remember that you have me, my parents and your family who are there for you. You can talk to us. Please don't push us away." She sighed.

I pulled out of the hug, "I know and I'm sorry. He was your brother, now I feel selfish. Can we just get today over with?"