Who would’ve thought that mom, of all people, would die? She was the best person in the whole world, my everything. Now it seems like I have nothing to live for. My whole family hates me, she was the only person I could go to. But now she’s gone, and I’m all alone.

I pulled my black veil over my face. Then zipped up my black dress slipped on my mum’s old heels.

I moved my long hair behind my shoulders and gazed at my reflection. I saw mum. Almost all my qualities resented her, and it hurt.

I couldn’t look in the mirror without seeing her, I didn’t want to see her as my reflection, I wanted mum here.

I gulped grabbing my tiny purse and walked out of the house.

I didn’t bring any of my bags on purpose, I wanted to come back before I had to leave this house for good.

I held my head low while walking out to my mum’s friends’ car.

“Where’s your bags?” she asked.

“Whoops, looks like I forgot them. Oh no, we will have to come back,” I said without emotion.

She sadly smiled, “I know this is hard Emy, I miss your mother too. I get you want to come back, but it won’t bring her back.”

“Call me Emila, not Emy,” I sat in the car and shut the door harshly, intending for the conversation to be over.

Ate sighed, “We’ll come back for your things after the funeral. But then you have to promise me to leave this place behind, others will live here soon, you can't come here when they live here.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

I crossed my arms and stared out the window, everything seemed to a black and white movie now, there was no more color in my world without mum.

I pulled out my phone and called my mums’ number.

It went straight to voicemail, I listened carefully to her voice saying that she was busy with me and would call back later.

Like the fool I am, I called back again, hoping she would answer. But, just like before, she didn’t.

“Emilia sweetie, we’re here,” Ate called from outside the parked car.

I sighed, then tucked my phone away before stepping out of the car.

Ate offered her hand, but I turned away, the only one who could comfort me was mum.

The building slowly got closer as we walked, my heart started to beat faster with every step. My anxiety was sky high.

I started to pant as we crossed the road. We were almost there. I’d have to see everyone again, by myself. Mum was no longer there to speak for me.

My legs shook as Ate opened the doors for me. I fixed my veil before entering the huge room filled with only a few people.

I leaned closer to Ate and whispered, “Where is everyone?”

She whispered back, “Your mother didn’t know a lot of people. She was always busy taking care of you, she barely had any friends.”

My shoulders suddenly felt heavy.

So I was a burden? It’s my fault you had no friends? Damnit mum, why didn’t you leave me alone to live your life???

I glanced around the room, looking for Archer and my dad.

I saw Archer stand in the corner of the room on his phone, but I didn’t see dad.

I frowned and walked over to the front of the room and stood before the coffin.

I peeked into the openside of the coffin and stared at the body.

Mum wasn’t in the coffin, it was a doll, not her. She looked completely different when she was alive, whatever was in that coffin had so much makeup on it was shiny, nothing like mum.

I turned to my right and walked next to the wall staring at every picture.

I stopped moving once I laid my eyes on a single picture that had our family. Dad and mum were holding hands smiling at me and Archer. I was awkwardly holding his hand while he was pouting, that was the nicest photo our family had ever taken together, and will be the only nicest photo.

“Why don’t you take that photo for memories?” someone whispered.

I turned and saw a random guy about 14 standing behind me holding a flower.

He awkwardly smiled, “I didn’t mean to pry, you just kept staring at the photo, I assumed it was important.”

I turned back to the photo and shook my head, “No, not that one,” I ripped the photo off the board and ripped it in half, then sprinkled the remains on the ground.

I smiled at the boy who was staring at me, “Who are you?”

He fixed his suit, “Austin, I’m Katie’s son, you know, the woman who brought you here.”

I tilted my head, “Why weren’t you in the car?”

“I got here early to help set everything up.”

I glanced at his flower he held tightly.

“Oh uh, this is for you. My condolences Emila.”

Austin bowed slightly as he held out the flower, I hesitantly took the pink flower and said, “My favorite flowers are tulips, not roses.”

His face turned red, “I-I’m sorry, I’ll bring you tulips after the funeral!”

My frown disappeared and he awkwardly rushed away.

I gulped before looking back at the photos, I smiled at the one that mum was holding me tightly and smiling.

I carefully peeled the photo off of the wall and slipped it into my purse.

“Today, we are all here to mourn this poor soul, Manhattan Hilmen. She was a wonderful woman with a good life. She was the wife of Josh Hilmen, and the mother of twins, Emila Hilmen and Archer Hilmen.”

Ex-wife.

“She died at the age of 35, from cancer. Although word has it she was actually 30,” the man laughed.

This isn’t meant to be funny idiot, my mum died, stop laughing!

I gritted my teeth and clenched my dress tightly as the man continued to talk about my deceased mother.

Why did Ate even chose him?? He sucks at this!

“Now, we have a few family members who prepared a speech about Manhattan, Archer, now's your time.”

My eyes stayed on Archer as he stood from the back row and walked up before everyone.

He fixed his hair and pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.

He cleared his throat, “Manhattan was a terrible mother. But I still loved her. I have already forgotten all of my memories with, but I’m sure my runaway sister can tell you everything.”

Rage trembled through my body, I almost lost control and yelled, but the eyes of everyone staring at me once Archer pointed to me took away my anger and brought up my anxiety.

I tugged my veil down even farther making sure no one could see my face, then stood gripping the rose in my hand and slowly walked up to the front of the room.

Archer turned away and hurriedly sat back down pulling out his phone again.

I clenched my fists and gulped, “My mum was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She was always there for me, even when our family broke apart, she took me with her and protected me. She taught me everything so I didn’t have to go to school, she taught me how to cook and draw…”

MY stomach turned as I spoke, there was a feeling of something in my throat while my eyes started to water.

“She was so beautiful, and kind, she loved everyone..I’m really going to miss her…”

I started to walk back to my seat, but then the man requested me to close the coffin.

I quickly walked up to the coffin and shut it fast without looking inside.

I gulped and walked back to my seat wiping away my tears.

“Thank you all for coming, I’m sure it means a lot to the Hilmens’,” the man announced, “Have a good evening everyone.”

I fixed my hair before standing to see Ate Katie in front of me.

She smiled warmly, “Let’s go say hi to your father and brother.”

I flinched, “Why?? Archer insulted me and mum in front of everyone, I haven’t seen them in years and the first thing he does is say something totally rude!”

I breathe heavily at the thought of talking to my brother, he was an asshole, and what he said about me and mum was not okay.

Katie takes my hand and pulls me towards my family, I panic and squeeze her hand tightly, but she held on.

“Hey Archer, long time no see,” Ate smiled at him.

He glanced up from his phone and then looked back down, “Yeah…”

I frowned, “You know what you said was rude.”

“Yeah whatever, I don’t really care.”

“Excuse me?? Mum just died and you have the nerve to insult us and not even be sad that she died! She gave birth to you and loves you, how can you treat her like this??” I huffed.

“If she loved me she wouldn’t have left,” Archer claimed typing on his phone.

My eyes widened.

Why didn’t she bring Archer with us? Not that I care, he bullied me, but now he doesn't care about us…

“Would you put that stupid phone down and look at me Archer??”

He sighed and turned off the phone.

“Emila, please calm down, you’re going to make a scene,” Katie urged.

I ignored her and kept talking, “Were you always such a jerk??”

He turned his head to me fast, “Were you always this much of a bitch??”

I clenched my jaw and started to shake from anger.

Katie hugged me so I wouldn’t move.

“I said stop.”

“It was your idea to talk to him!” I yelled.

Soon everyone’s eyes were watching me. Usually my anxiety would kick in, but I didn’t care, the only thing I wanted was to bunch this bastard.

Archer looked and my fists then laughed, “What are you gonna do? You’re too weak to even put a scratch on me.”

I yelled and pushed Katie away. I gripped his shirt pulling him closer and grunted, “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

He smiled before spitting on my face. I snapped.

I pushed him to the ground and jumped on top of him. I balled my fists tightly and retracted my hand before thrusting it with all my power towards Archer’s face.

But Archer grabbed my wrist right before it hit his face.

He laughed mockingly and whispered, “You’re so dead.”

I bit my lip and smacked him with my free hand. The sound echoed through the room along with everyone gasping.

I started to pant, “You asshole!”

I pulled free of his grip and prepared to try to punch him again, but somebody's arms wrapped around me and tugged me away.

“LET ME GO!!!” I yelled.

“Stop it Emila! This isn’t okay! We need to leave!” Austin yelled in my ear, “What would your mother think?”

I immediately froze and thought about what he said. She’d be so disappointed.

I covered my face with my hands and fell to my knees. Austin hugged me tightly while I cried silently.

Archer stood brushing off his suit, “You owe me a new suit, there’s dirt on this one.”

I started to shake again while crying.

“Back off dude, you’re at a funeral, stop being so mean,” Austin yelled.

Once I calmed down, I stood and tore off my heels.

I confidently walked up to Archer and claimed, “I hate you.”

I walked past him to the exit door with Austin and Ate Katie.

“Some twin sister you are,” Archer chuckled.

I sighed heavily while pushing the door open and walking out.

I ripped off my veil and took off my heels once we got in the car.

I pouted and stared out the window looking for dads’ car. But I didn’t see it.

He didn’t come?...Heh, such a great dad.

I smiled for the last time that day.

I walked out of the bathroom slowly, dreading for the day. It was my first day back to school in a whole week. If I could, I would’ve stayed home longer, but Ate Katie said I wasn’t allowed to. She said I needed to socialize and see other people other than her and Austin. But I didn’t want to.

“Oh hey, you’re up already..thought you would have slept in,” Austin coughed.

I glared at him for his comment. He smiled awkwardly and rubbed his arm.

“It’s time for breakfast…”

I turned away and walked back into my room, “I’m not hungry.”

“Oh c’mon, mum will get mad at me if I don’t bring you to eat…”

“Too bad.”

I slammed my door and sighed leaning against it. I shut my eyes and took a few deep breaths.

You can do this Emy..Mom’s counting on you.

I opened my eyes quickly and changed into a hoodie and leggings. I stuck in my black earrings and shoes mum gave me for Christmas.

I pulled the draw of my jewelry box open that Katie gave me, and pulled out a silver ring.

Mum gave me this ring a few days after we left dad and Archer, it was our promise ring, to never leave each other.

She still left…

“Emila? Sweetie come on down stairs, you need to eat something, it’s not healthy if you don’t,” Ate Katie knocked.

“I’m not hungry,” I replied.

The door opened and I saw Ate Katie with her arms on the hips showing attitude.

“I will not allow you to continue to sit in your room all day and starve yourself!”

I stare back at her as she walks closer angrily.

Katie grabs my arm and pulls me with her.

“Hey let go! This is abuse! Stop it!!” I yelled struggling.

“I don’t care, you need to eat!”

She placed me in the chair closest to her and sat beside me. I frowned back up at her.

“Hey,” Austin gently placed his hand on mine, “Just eat, then we can go on the bus and get this over with.”

I glanced at my plate full of pancakes and bacon, I gagged at the thought of food. I only liked mum’s cooking, we never ate out because it was the only thing I ate. Without her, the food isn’t the same, nothing is.

“This looks gross Ate, just let me go get ready.”

She ignored me and handed me a fork, then started to eat her own pancakes.

I stared at my hands laid in my lap and waited for Austin to finish eating.

God Austin, eat faster!

I looked up at him patiently but froze. He was leaning over the table holding out a fork with a piece of pancake on it in my face, he looked very stern.

“Eat,” he ordered harshly.

I focused on the pancake right in front of me and tried to make myself want to eat it, but I couldn’t, I felt sick.

“Will you leave me alone if I eat this?” I asked tapping the fork.

He nodded once, I sighed and grabbed the fork trying to hold down my stomach.

I shoved it in my mouth and quickly swallowed it trying not to taste the sweet syrup.

I put the fork down and stood, “Happy? I’m leaving.”

“The bus doesn't get here for another 15 minutes Emila,” Austin reminded me.

I shrugged and picked up my bag leaving the room.

I can’t be in this house anymore, I need to get out of here…

Once I shut the door I ran down the driveway and turned the corner.

When I saw the bus stop sign I ran even faster trying to get there as soon as I could.

I bent over and huffed trying to catch my breath.

God, why did I run?

I pulled my hood over my head and sniffled before crossing the street.

I sat down on the bench right next to the sign and pulled out my phone. I dialled mum’s phone number and called it after a moment.

I dazed out as my phone continue to ring, hoping she’d answer.

I closed my eyes and tried to hold in the tears once her voice came, saying she was too busy with me and would back later.

Why haven’t you called me back though mum? You said you would…

I rubbed my eyes trying to push away the tears rubbed my ring.

“I miss you…”

I checked the time, only 10 more minutes until the bus came.

I sighed and pulled my arms out of my sleeves and hugged myself.

“You new to school? I’ve never seen you before, what's your name?”

I peeked up to my right to see a boy, about the same age as me.

I ignored him and pulled out my phone dialing mums’ phone number again.

“Damnit,” I grunted as the call went straight to voicemail once again.

Please call me back mum, I miss you so much…

“Did your boyfriend not pick up the phone? Such a shame, now you only have me to talk to,” the guy teased.

“Go away.”

“Where? The bus will be here soon, and I’m not planning on skipping soooo.”

He swung his leg forward with his hands in his pockets looking at me.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“Gee why so mean? I’m just trying to be nice.”

I turned away and stared at the road waiting for the bus to come.

“Now you’re giving me the silent treatment? Seriously? You’re so childish.”

I stood up and gripped his shirt pulling him close.

“Listen to me carefully, I don’t want you to speak to me ever again, got it?”

“Or else what?” the boy laughed.

I pulled him closer so our foreheads were touching, I glared at him, “I will hurt you.”

I let go of him and sat back down as if nothing happened and ignored his existence.

“Woman these days,” the guy mumbled fixing his shirt.

I glared at him and he jumped back whistling.

Asshole.

I slid my arms back through my sleeves and pulled my hair back behind my ears.

“Emila! Why didn’t you at least wait for me??” Austin yelled while crossing the street.

“You took too long.”

He shook his head, “There are perverts everywhere these days, what if someone snatched you up and raped you??”

“I can take care of myself, I don’t need your help.”

Austin sighed, “You couldn’t even run from them, your laces aren’t tied.”

Austin got on his knees and lifted my shoes onto his stomach tying my laces.

“Whatever,” I sighed giving up.

Austin stood before me proudly, then turned to the guy standing behind him.

“Oh hey Jacob,” Austin waved.

“Hey, you know here?” he asked.

“Yeah uh, she’s a good friend.”

“Her??” Jacob pointed me confused, “She literally just lifted me up and threatened me. How is she a good friend??”

I locked eyes with Austin, his eyes full of disappointment, but I was unphased.

“I’m really sorry, she’s just…” Austin started.

“There is no excuse for my actions,” I spoke up leaning in, “I admit to them happily.”

The guy named Jacob looked at me like I was crazy them whispered something to Austin.

I sighed and pulled my phone out to check the time, 6 more minutes until the bus is here.

I peeked down the road waiting for the bis to drive up to us.

“Is she sitting with us?” Jacob asked Austin.

He turned to me and shrugged. Jacob sighed in response.

I blinked slowly, he doesn’t like me already. I mean, I can’t blame him, I just threatened him. But it still kind of hurts, another name added to the list of people who hate me.

“Hey Austin, how was the weekend?” a girl giggled.

I watched the girl with blonde hair lean closer to Austin waiting for his answer.

“Pretty good, and yours?”

“Oh it was okay, but I’m glad it’s monday again, I missed you guys.”

The girl pulled Austin and jacob together for a big hug.

“Heh,” I mumbled.

Austin looked at me before pushing away the blonde girl and introduced her.

“This is Emily.”

I searched her up and down, she had a nice figure and wasn’t afraid to show it off, but she still held some dignity. Her light blonde hair was curled bouncing it up to her shoulders. Her blue eyes staring at me sweetly.

“Hey, what’s your name?” she smiled.

I crossed my arms and tilted my head.

Emily leaned closer to Austin awkwardly, “Does she understand me?”

“Yes she’s just and asshole,” Jacob blurted.

I stood and glared at him, “Wanna say that again?”

He shook his head hesitantly and bit his lip.

A few more people gathered by the stop sign while we were waiting. I sat on the bench quietly while Austin, Emily and Jacob continued to talk.

I glanced down the road one more time, and saw the bus.

I jumped up getting everyone’s attention and walked to the curb waiting for the bus to pull up to us.

When the doors opened, I was the first to get on the bus, I made my way to the back and sat down. Moving closer to the window to look less awkward.

Austin sat in the seat across from me and smiled, I turned away and gazed at the trees.

Emily plopped down next to Austin leaving Jacob, who sat next to me awkwardly.

“So umm, can we start over?” Jacob asked.

“I don’t care if you dont like me kid, I can live with another person hating me.”

“I never said I hated you..look you’re new, your reputation will be bad if you keep being so rude, so just be nice kay?” Jacob smiled.

I sneered, “Unlike you, I don’t care about what others think about me. So just leave me alone.”

Jacob turned away from me and started to talk to Austin again. I sighed in relief.

Finally some peace and quiet.