VALERIA POV
Christmas break.
It's been weeks since I came out of the hospital but my mom and grandparents made me seem like I was cripple.
I had to stay home and rest, doctor's orders.
I'm sitting on the sofa and my grandma comes to me with a tray of food and my pills.
"You know you can leave anytime you want now grandma, Ani's gone now." I sniffle thinking about my sister but then I hold it in.
"Valeria I was here for you too and I still am. I'm not going anywhere." She sighs and kisses my forehead.
"Now eat and take your pill" she leaves to the kitchen.
I sit there in silence. I think back to all the memories I had with my sister. She was so happy. Always with a smile on her face. My little Ani. She's gone forever.
I start to cry silently. I gasp as I try to keep quiet. I get up without eating or taking my pill and lock myself in my room and cry as I fall asleep.
—————
JANUARY 1st, NEW YEARS DAY
Maria and Alondra jump and hug me as we enter the new year together.
I put on a smile. They cheer and look at the TV but then I start to wonder off as I look out the window, the snow falling. It's crazy how a year ago I was with Ethan, I was his and he was mine. We shared a New Years kiss. But now he wasn't here. And neither was Anitta.
I missed Ethan but always ended up disappointing me. I missed Ani but she was gone.
Maria and Alondra, I didn't want to put my crap on them.
The only thing that helped me was crying to sleep.
It felt good to let the tears out and then falling asleep so I won't feel anything anymore. I hoped I would never wake up again but every morning was like returning to hell, to reality.
—————
January 11
We finally returned to school.
It was a nightmare. I didn't want to come back but here I was. I didn't want to see Ethan. I haven't seen him since the day I cut my wrist. He didn't visit me once in the hospital.
I have my gray joggers on and my red hoodie on along with brown uggs. I didn't feel like dressing up today. I walk to my locker and grab a binder. I didn't even care which one I got. My headphones were on, volume high. I'm listening to Ariana Grande.
I go to first period and throw my binder on the desk and slump myself in my seat. When I turn my head a bit I see a glimpse of Ethan. He's sitting next to me and I can see him staring at me. I keep my headphones on but they aren't noticeable because of my hoodie and I put my head down. The teacher passes us an assignment and I look up to read the paper on my desk.
A project?
"You guys will have a week to complete your next project. Get up and find yourself a partner." The teacher announces.
I roll my eyes and stay seated. I feel so lazy to get up.
Everyone quickly gets up and finds a partner.
"Raise your hand if you don't have a partner." The teacher asks.
Without effort I put my hand up.
I realize Ethan has his hand up too.
"Oh great, you two are partners. Begin working." The teacher points at Ethan and I.
