The Pain of a Middle Child

XIV

I trudged up the steps. I had just said goodbye to my friends at the school gates and was on my way back home. It was quite lonely, walking alone.

Loneliness hadn't been a problem back in elementary, I had always had my books.

"Maybe I should read again." I muttered.

____________

"I'm back," I placed my shoe bag on the wooden shelf dad made and took my shoes off. Staring up at the second floor, it seemed very far away from where I stood.

The sound of footsteps told me that my sister was home. I climbed the stairs, my feet heavily landing on each step.

When I lied down onto my bed, I had a sense of déjà vu. It was at the edge of my mind, and whenever I tried to grasp it, the thought kept slipping away.

I sighed and closed my eyes. I knew I shouldn't sleep, but it wouldn't hurt to stay awake with my eyes closed.

And I fell asleep.

I didn't exactly remember falling asleep, but I woke up half-laying on my bed, so I figured I fell asleep some time before. And judge by the ache in my waist, 'some time' was a few hours ago.

"Ugh," I groaned and headed to the bathroom. My mom was busy calling her friend and my brother was playing with his toys.

Brie wasn't anywhere in sight, though.

I should start with those sheets. I said in my head bitterly. They were sheets from math class and was the most annoying things ever.

_-=-_

Late that night, I received a text from an unknown number. Curious, I read the message.

It read,

Hello, Lyla, this is Liam's mother. I'm sorry to bother you so late at night, but I was going through Liam's things and found a letter and a book. The letter was addressed to you so I was thinking if I could give it to you tomorrow.

I stared at it for a while, mouth hanging open. The words 'a letter and a book' burned into my mind like white hot steel. I wrote down an answer, but my hands were so shakey it took several tries.

Thank you, Mrs. Lee, but I don't have much time tomorrow, so could we meet on Saturday?

Her reply came quickly.
Of course, when can we meet?

2 pm, if you're okay with it.

I'll wait for you at Brownie 70, Lyra. Good night.

Good night to you too, Mrs. Lee

I covered my face with my hands and forced myself to breathe slowly.

In, out
In, out
In, ou-oh my god Liam left me a letter and a book oh my god

I knew what the book was, it was Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer. Liam had told me about it one day. He had shown me the book while telling me his secrets. He loved the book because he saw himself reflected in the protagonist.

"We're so alike, it feels as if this book was based on me."

My heart stung just thinking about him. I didn't know how I bore going to his funeral. The memory was a blur of scents that made my head ache, Liam's family in black clothes, and his picture, a smiling Liam from months ago, surrounded by white chrysanthemums. I rubbed my eyes to check for tears, then, finding none, went upstairs to sleep.