Pretending

chapter 1

My eyes drifted open . I was sat in the back of my parents car with my dad driving and my mum sat next to him . We were on the way home from the airport , after going on holiday . " Morning sleepyhead " While shaking my head , I smiled slightly at the statement my dad made . " We're almost home anyway " It was my mum who spoke this time .

The road was empty apart from an occasional passing car . It winded around a steep hill . Rain was thundering down violently on the roof of the car , making the road slippery .

Thunder roared in the sky as lightning crashed down to earth . I was peering out the window fascinated by the weather . When I noticed a giant rock looking shape rushing down to us . Getting clearer and clearer as it fell . Time slowed down . Turning my head to see my parents , I tried to talk but no sound was escaping . I couldn't bring myself to say even one word , before the giant bolder crashed into the front of the car . Instantly colliding into my mum's face . Immediately followed by the car spinning dangerously out of control . Heading straight for the edge of the cliff .

The world around seemed to be blurry . As the car rushed over the edge . That's when I gave in to the haunting darkness and closed my eyes .

Time skip

An aching pain spread throughout my body as I drifted back into the natural light . I opened my eyes to see my surroundings had stopped spinning but my mum and dad wernt moving . It didn't even look like they were breathing . Panic sunk in , as I started calling out to them . With no reply . " M...mum , d...dad " Then the darkness took over again and blocked my sight .

End of dream

" Ahhhhh ! I sat up quickly , breathing heavily . Followed my the rushed sound of foot steps . Then someone wearing a shirt and a tie walked in . " You're awake good " After speaking the person left the room . Which confused me .

Where was I , why was I here and how am I here . Was it a dream or did it really happen . Why did my body seem to ache ? My throat was dry after I stopped screaming . So I was unable to talk .

" Ash , are you okay , I heard about what happened " Rel my best friend from school was stood in the door way with a look of sympathy on her face . So many questions were running through my head , did she really know what happened to me and why I'm here . I opened my mouth to speak but my throat still hurt so I gave in to the pain and decided not to speak .

Rel walked closer to my weak form and put a hand on my shoulder " I understand if you don't wanna talk about it " But little did she know I wanted to ask her what happened but was unable to . At the thought of not being able to confide in my best friend I began to cry . Even Though i hated crying .  

After what seemed like five minutes Rel told me she had to go but would visit me some other time . All the time spent listing to her managed to calm me and my throat started feeling better . So as she looked back at me from the door I called out to her in a squeaky voice " Rel " Then she turned around to look at me " thanks " She smiled , nodded quickly then left .

Time skip later that day

For most of the day I was sat in bed watching the clock and counting how long since Rel was here . Until I heard her familiar voice from Down the hall . She seemed to be talking to someone else . As the voices got closer I understood what they were talking about . " Ye , his rooms just up here a little further " .

Sighing deeply , I then closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep so I could get an idea of what was going on . When the foot steps reached my room heard the other voice again " poor kid , anyway like I said tomorrow morning he'll be moved into his new living accommodation " what I heard started to worry me . So I continued to listen to the conversation . " Yeah " This time Rel was speaking in a disappointed tone " but does he have to " The other voice breathed out and replied " I'm sorry but it's already been arranged and besides there is nowhere around here where he can stay " Rel agreed with what he was saying , a hint of sadness in her voice .

When the other person left I hesitated to open my eyes but still did so . To see Rel sat in the chair beside my bed , he legs pulled up to her chest , with her head down . Her body was shaking as she started sobbing . I reached a hand out to her and rubbed her arm to support her . " Hey ...um are you ok , Rel " she lifted her head up quickly and looked at me through teary eyes . Then through trembling lips she spoke confidentiality " you fucking idiot ! Next thing I know she's gathering her stuff and running out the door crying .

I froze looking at the door after my friend ran off . What was all that about .

For the rest of the evening I was constantly worrying about what happened with Rel . The fact that the person she was talking with earlier said I was gonna go live somewhere else tomorrow didn't seem to bother me as much as what she said to me .

Time skip : the next morning

After what happened with Rel yesterday I wasn't able to get much sleep . She didn't even visit me before the guy from yesterday came and helped me pack my stuff .

Once I had climbed into a taxi with the other guy who was carrying a small bag with my stuff in . We headed of to where ever we were going . Which I don't have a clue where it is .

My phone was wrecked in the accident , so even though I wanted to send Rel a message to see what was up with her yesterday , I couldn't . So I just sat playing with one of the bandages that were wrapped around the lower part of my left arm .

Time skip almost two hours later

Once the taxi rolled to a stop the guy began to gather up his jacket and my bag . Then exited the vehicle after holding the door open for me . I  was admiring the ground after I got out of the taxi . Everything that happened lately instantly became so real . It wasn't a dream , my parents were dead . I survived but they didn't . Tears were piercing my eyes as I tried to hold them back . That's when the guy looked back at me and noticed the state I was in .

" It's okay kid " He walked closer and tried to pat my head but I stepped back quickly . Leaving him with a shocked expression . " The...there ... dead " I was struggling so much to contain my tears that I began to wipe my eyes causing them to become irritated . Which made me want to cry more .

" There fucking dead ! Now when I was speaking my voice sounded powerful , as I shouted my answer at him . Followed by him retreating his hand away from me . The only thing I could do now because of my weak state now , was to fall to the ground crying . Even Though I don't like crying .

The wind blew softly through the air as it drifted around my weak figure , sat on the floor with tears rushing out of my eyes . From this moment on I knew I would never be the same again . Knew I would never be able to walk in the rain like normal , ever again .

" It's cold out here, why don't you come inside?  After hearing that calm voice I lift my head to see a kid similar age to me , his hair is black at the top and half way down it changes to blond . The kid held his arm out to me .

Once inside I sit at the table with the kid and who I presume to be his parents , the guy starts to explain that the kid is my cousin . At that moment I start to remember I had a cousin I just haven't seen him in awhile . " So I've gotta go and get back to work but I'll leave you here , right kid " I didn't even bother replying . What happened earlier outside was still on my mind .

" So Kenma why don't you show Ash around quickly " The multi color haired kid nodded then motioned for me to follow him . Wich I did with caution .

Time skip five minutes later

"  your rooms next door to mine if you need me , I'm always in there if I'm home " Smiling kindly Kenma pointed to a door .