The day Mari died, everything changed.
Aubrey had been sobbing for days straight. Mari was like the sister she never had. Mari was the reason she had never felt alone. They had so much planned for the future. And now it was just... gone?
And Mari wasn't the only thing gone, too.
Hero and Sunny stopped leaving home.
Kel made new friends and abandoned her.
And Basil...? He just avoids her. All her friends avoid her.
She couldn't possibly figure out what drove them away. Was it because of how sensitive she was? Was it because she got defensive after Mari died? Did they just simply hate her, and with Mari gone, they no longer needed to pretend otherwise? Aubrey didn't know. She didn't know. But it still hurt so bad.
She had been isolated in her room. She no longer saw the point in leaving home. All she did every day was either cry, cut, or sleep. What else could she do? No one would ever help her. Never.
Aubrey suddenly jolted at the sound of her door being banged on.
"Aubrey, get your LAZY ASS out here now!"
It was her mom again.
She hated her mom. And her mom probably hated her just as much.
"...coming."
Aubrey slipped some gloves over her arms to hide the destruction she's caused towards herself. She then opened the door, revealing her mother's disheveled appearance. There was something drooling from her mouth too. Must've been drinking again, Aubrey thought to herself.
"Aubrey, I am tired of you wasting around in your room, skipping school like an ungrateful CHILD."
Her mother didn't waste the time to lose it, her voice rising. The younger one forced herself to remain composed and emotionless. She watched as her guardian pointed towards the door.
"GO OUT, NOW. OR YOU ARE GETTING IT BAD TONIGHT."
Aubrey didn't want to go outside. Never again. But it was clear it was either get hurt mentally or get hurt physically. So she sighed, walking towards the front door. Her parent never said a word, simply scoffing. Aubrey slammed the door shut as she left.
🝮
She sat down at a rusted bench in Faraway's park. Where children played soccer, or played in the sand, or laughed at each other's jokes, or anything. Aubrey watched a familiar face walk past her, heading to their old secret hangout area. Basil.
Fuck Basil. He never cared, no one did. No one ever did.
"Aubrey?"
The girl was shocked by a sudden voice behind her. She turned to see Kim. She never truly knew her. Kel said she was a bully. But Kim always minded her own business and chilled with her friends. She seems nice.
"Haven't seen you in ages. Are you, like.. okay?"
Kim sat down next to her. Aubrey was surprised. Those words... 'are you okay?' Those. Words. She hasn't heard such words in ages. The last time she heard such a thing was when Mari was still here.
But hearing it now... kinda made her overflow.
"They hate me."
"Huh?"
Kim was confused. Obviously oblivious. She didn't know the friend group. The most she knew was that Mari was gone.
"They hate me. Everyone does. They all left. All of them..."
Aubrey hugged her knees close to her chest, as if trying to protect herself from any judgement. But all Kim did was furrow her eyebrows in worry.
"They all left you? What bitches.."
Kim put her arm around the dark haired girl's body, pulling her close to comfort her.
"Here I thought y'all would get closer after Mari's passing. Y'know.. stick together, cope together. But they just... left?"
Aubrey simply nodded. Must be shocking, huh? Friends you knew since primary school, since 6 years old or so... they just suddenly leave. But here she was. With nothing left to lose.
She snapped out of her thoughts when the other girl spoke again. "Tell ya what."
"Those dumbasses can see what they missed out on, cuz you seem like the coolest gal ever. You're always free to hang out with me and the gang. They'd love you.
Aubrey's eyes instantly went wide. This is who Kel called a fat bully?! Kim just offered Aubrey to join their group, saying she was cool, and... she couldn't hide the stars that lit her eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course, Aubs."
Kim held one of her hands, squeezing it affectionately. Aubrey squeezed gently back, a small smile creeping up onto her face. She couldn't hold her own blush back.
"I don't get why you'd wanna stay by my side, but... thank you. Thank you so much, Kim."
"Anything for a friend."
🝮
Maybe Aubrey wasn't so alone.
She was never alone with someone like Kim right by her side.