Chapter 15
1013 Words
Police finally stopped talking to Braeden about the death of his best friend. He was putting on a good face for his family, but the truth is that he's breaking inside. He was supposed to help Vien, like all best friends do. He was supposed to be there for him, but he wasn't . He blame himself so muc, that sometimes, he would dream about him. Vien's sad and bloodied face always haunts him in his sleep. Asking him why he wasn't there when he needed him the most.
There are nights that he can't sleep because he can see Vien's face everytime he close his eyes. A constant reminder of how worthless and irresponsible of a friend he is. Due to his depression, many dark things has been playing in his mind, but his doing everything he can to keep it together.
"Braeden, is everything okay?" Tyra asked when she saw me sitting on a corner alone. This has been my habit ever since Vien died. I can't get myself to enjoy becuase I know that it's not fair for him.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for asking." I replied with am awkward smile.
"You don't seem fine. What's wrong?" Tara insisted. She's looking at me intently as if gauging my reaction.
"For real. I'm fine, Tara. Thank you. What are you doing here anyway?"
"Actually, I was on my way to the library when I saw you. You looked like you could use a friend. Is it about Keisha?"
"No. Why would say that?"
"You looked brokenhearted. I thought you and Keisha had a fight. So, if not Keisha, what's the reason you're sad?"
"You've of what happened to Vien, right?" Braeden finally after letting out a loud sigh. "I can't stop thinking about him."
"Oh, that's right. You two were friends. I'm so sorry."
"I was with him when he died. I had to watch him fall, and I couldn't do anything. He was my friend, and I failed him. I saw the signs, but I was so caught up with my own life that I failed to help him."
"You can't blame yourself for what happened to him. Our life, our responsibility. Everything we do is our choice. There's nothing that you could have done for him."
"You're wrong. I could have done something if I was just a responsible friend. He was in trouble and I was supposed to be there for him."
"I'm sure that Vien doesn't blame you for what happened to him. You shouldn't punish yourself too. If you really value Vien as a good friend, you will honor him by doing better. By living your life in a way that would make him proud. Don't drown with your sorrow, or you will end up just like Vien. Be better, in honor of his name."
Braeden thought of what Tyra said after she left. She's right, he realized. He needs to be strong and live life the way Vien would have wanted. There is no point in letting himself drown with the pain of losing him.
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Keisha and her group left the cabin at first light. Even she felt excited to finally reached the mountain top. But, there's something that she noticed. Camila who was the most bubbly and cheerful yesterday is uncharacteristically quiet now.
She wanted to ask her if she's okay, but her mind convinced her to leave Camila alone. Maybe, she was just putting on a good face yesterday. They all knew that Camila went through something big. Something that forced to make a huge decision. It was obvious by how she acted when she came back.
"Hey, Camila! Smile!" Serra, the group photographer said. If Keisha has passion for photography, Serra is dreaming big. She already planned her future and has her eyes on the best arts school in the country.
"Camila, are you okay?" Brandon asked. That's another thing that Keisha noticed. Brandon is acting weird. Yesterday, he was so friendly and accommodating, but now, there's something different about him too.
"I'm fine, just keep walking." Camila replied in a serious tone.
It's as though they were all confused about the way she acted because they all looked at each other. It was supposed to be exciting and fun, but Keisha can feel that there's something wrong. More so, when she felt a familiar gust of wind. That was the same as whenever she would hear that whisper.
She waited, but an hour passed and still nothing. Hallucinations. She thought that she was just hallucinating. Feeling ashamed of being the party pooper since they arrived, Keisha forced herself to relax and feel the beauty of the mountain.
"Gaia, have you noticed the sudden change in Brandon's attitude? Do you know if something happened? He seems like he's not in the mood, so as Camila?!. What is wrong with them?" Keisha said, thinking that her friend is listening to her. But, she waited for two minutes and got no response. "Gaia, did you hear any of what I said?"
"What? What was that?" Gaia asked if she just woke up from a sleep.
Keisha wanted to say something, because it was obvious that something's wrong. Brandon's change of attitude, Camila's mood, and now Gaia. Something's not right. Trying to find someone to talk to, Keisha looked at their friends one by one. They all looked like they're enjoying the hike and it made her remember what she told herself.
"It's nothing, Keisha. Don't mind it. You're just imagining things. Just let it go, girl or your friends will hate you for ruining this vacation. You're all going to be fine. Just calm down, Kei." She told herself.
Even though she failed to convince herself, Keisha had no choice but to act normal. Every time she speak up her mind, her friends would get mad at her. Now, two of her friends are acting weirdly and she doesn't know what to do.
'Keisha...' Then, there's the whisper again. Only this time it was more like soft breeze than a voice.
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