They say the saddest people are the ones with the biggest smiles. The wisest people are the ones who've been through the most. The loneliest people are the kindest. But why? Because they do not wish to see anyone go through the pain they go through everyday.
In the yearbook, Ashton Irwin was voted most inspiring student of the year. He wore a smile everyday, thinks positively, and always tries to cheer everyone up. Although he seemed offer everyone a hand when they needed it, there was no one there for him. He had big dreams; all crushed.
Luke Hemmings was voted smartest kid in school. He was a straight A student. Never got in trouble, either. An A wasn't good enough for him. The pain his parents put him through. It's a lot for a young boy with dreams to endure. Again, all crushed.
Michael Clifford wasn't voted for anything. He was just a face with a name. He had potential. He was the kid in the back of the class that everyone thought was emo because he listened to green day and died his hair a different color. He had big dreams to be a musician, all crushed.
Calum Hood wasn't even in the yearbook. He dropped out before we took school pictures. He wasn't very smart but he was one hell of a soccer player. He dropped out and I heard his parents kicked him out. The last time I saw him he was on the curb silently crying to himself, but after 10 minutes he got up and walked away with a suitcase and 20 bucks. I guess he came back, or else I wouldn't be here now. It's sad; all his dreams were crushed.
I stood on the grass. Holding back tears for the four innocent boys who lay six feet under. Four tombstones next to each other. Labeled "Ashton Irwin" "Michael Clifford" "Calum Hood" and "Luke Hemmings" exactly in that order. I'm pretty sure it's by age but not exactly sure. They all died on the same day. Different reasons of course.
It killed me inside to know that they were hurting inside when they seemed so perfectly fine on the outside.
"C'mon Aleisha, you barely even knew them," my mom said as she placed a hand on my shoulder.
"But- but they were so innocent and young," I stuttered wiping away the tears that fell to my cheeks.
"Maybe they weren't as innocent as you thought," she whispered in my ear as she walked to the car. That made me think a little bit more. Maybe there was more to them than I had thought.
Maybe they had a reason.
