t Goodb

Ques

house was too quiet-just the hum of the fridge and the occasional creak of the floorboards. It had been li

ng into a cup of tea that had long gone cold. Her eyes were red, her hair

Can I throw a party? Just... one

storm cloud. I watched her face c

wly, she looked up at me. Her eyes widen

lass about to shatter. "Your dad just passed away, and

n't back down. I clenched

cracked a little, but I kept going. "Just becaus

eft my mouth, I wished

eks, silent and fast. My chest ached with gui

ing myself for her to yell,

he di

hug so tight I could barely breathe. Her heart

h tears. "Just this once... I'll let you have your party. Y

creaming, no punishment-just quiet accepta

a tiny spark of relie

ed, pulling back to look

t her eyes were still sad. T

No drugs. And absolutely no nudity or se

t. "Got it.

like every step took effort. I watched her

wrapped her in another hug. She patted my back gently before

anning

book. The party was happening. Finally, something to look forwar

d, decorations. The more people,

wn on me. The grief was always there, lurking in the c

about sadness. It'

g invites-classmates, teammates, old

phone

ed on the sc

er an invite, but I hadn't cal

wanna come drown our so

umb hovering over

answer

d been ringi

vo

inder of the life I'd left behind-the laughter, the insid

r? How could I explai

y chest tightened. My finger

verse was testing me, t

r cal

humb hovered over the

tes of me staring at the ceiling

ished. My world fell apart, and

het

and finally reach

ringing

breath. I'd wait

than the ringing-a hollow emptines

ch. Before I could overth

cted when her voice cut through

e hell? Why haven't

alive-sent a jolt through me. Fo

spilled out, ra

I... I kind of lost

way up my throat. I could almost see her face on th

i

Contin