Everything and More

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 2

Like a typical funeral that you'd see in the movies - dark and emotionless - the sky grumbles with oncoming rain, the clicking and flashing of cameras adds to the ominous atmosphere. Shit weather, for a shit day.

We make it to the cemetery where a ceremony of approximately one hundred people are gathered. I've never met half of these people so I just assume they're my parents' business partners trying to inspect the heir of Hayes enterprise. I know they're here to see if I break and crumble under the pressure, that's what everyone thinks and I hate it.

The world slows down as I'm asked to throw a handful of dirt onto my parents' coffins. I watch them as they're slowly lowered into the ground—my only remaining family drifting further and further away from me.

Why did you leave me? Are the last words I say to them as I watch them disappear into the deep dank hole leaving me for good.

I grab a handful of the cold earth that will now separate us, my question left unanswered.

A single tear escapes as my mask slowly begins to crack under the strain of containing the grief that screams mercilessly from the inside.

I can't let that happen, it's exactly what the vultures want. I briefly turn to look at them, their fingers impatiently sitting on their camera shutters like a hunter's finger waits on the trigger of a gun. There's no way in hell I'm giving them the kill shot.

I look down as I gently sprinkle the dirt, the ache in my chest is relentless as I find the strength to whisper, "Goodbye."

As the goodbye leaves my lips, the gloomy sky opens up and fat, unapologetic raindrops hit my face.

I lean back thankful for the watery droplets as they bring me a reprieve, an excuse to let the tears fall freely, covering the evidence. It's almost poetic how the skies tear's cover my own, but I welcomed them as I drew in a deep breath.

The eyes that watch intently are none the wiser to the emotions that are now running freely down my face.

I look up and smile, I smile so big as the rain cleanses the sorrow that I'm drowning in.

Mama loved the rain, we'd dance in it whenever we had the chance and I knew this was my parents saying goodbye. I knew it as well as my own name. So, with that, I embrace the skies sorrow and cover it with my own as I let one tear chase another with complete abandon

❀❀❀

"Aria, someone's here to see you," Mary calls from outside my room.

Once the crowds dispersed after offering me their sympathies, we'd left and come home. I curled up on my bed and let the pain take over. I just wanted the bed to eat me alive.

I don't know how long I've been up here, but when the hinges of my door creak open and the dim hallway light seeps through the darkness, I can tell it's night time.

I've been up here for hours and time seems endless as it flitters away, distorting reality by making it feel completely insignificant, irrelevant.

A shadow of a man appears but I don't have the strength to lift my head or move. Instead I just stay still.

"Hello, Aria," the man greets.

"Look, I'm not doing interviews right now, respect my fucking space and let me grieve!"

I'm over these fucking reporters, they were right behind the barricades at the funeral like lions waiting to attack their prey.

The man's shadow approaches me.