It's Our Secret

Chapter 61 - Endings

Keira's POV

Ettie died that day. The doctor told me her heart had completely given up. She was gone. Forever.

She was hooked up to life support for a while, too to allow me time to say goodbye. I sat in the hospital room, with her, for what felt like forever. I wouldn't let her go. I lay in the bed beside her, as the machines beeped every little while. My head rested on her shoulder, as I held her hand. My face was red with tears, and I knew the whole team was waiting outside. They didn't know what was happening. I knew as soon as I went out, it would all become real. I would be sisterless.

I heard a knock at the door, and Lucy came in.

"Go away," I said to her, holding onto Ettie tighter.

"Kie-"

"NO! GO AWAY!" I shouted. Lucy closed the door, and left the room. I didn't want to speak to anyone. No one would understand. I knew her heart was bad. I suspected that was the reason she was going to retire. She told me otherwise, but I knew she was lying. I could feel it.

"Ettie," I whispered into her ear, "please. Please wake up. Please. I need you. I need you so much. How am I going to do this? How am I going to keep living without you? Please. Please. Please." Tears started flowing out of my eyes, and I was slightly hysterical. How was I supposed to do this? I have spent my entire life having Ettie by my side. How was I supposed to start now, 26 years on, without a sister.

"Kiera," I heard someone at the door say.

"Go away," I said. The person didn't listen to me. They walked into the hospital room, and wrapped their arms around me. It was Leah.

"It's okay," she said, trying to hold back her own tears.

"I can't believe she's gone." I broke down in Leah's arms, and I could feel her own tears fall onto my skin. "How am I going to do this? How am I going to go on and live?" Leah made me look at her, wiping the tears from my face.

"You're going to go and live your life for her. You are going to do everything she wanted to do. You are going to conquer this fucking world and make her proud." I nodded, knowing she was right.

"Everyone's asking about her," Leah said, as she sat on the other side of the bed, holding Ettie's hand.

"I should go talk to them," I answered.

"I'll stay with her," Leah said, as I got up to walk outside.

As I entered the hospital waiting room, everyone was there. All the English girls were there, as well as Bradie and Hayley. Lucy stood up straight away, and walked over to me, wrapping her arms around me, and kissing my cheek. When all the girls looked up, they knew. They could all tell.

"Guys, thank you for being here," I said, all of them looking at me, "but it'd probably be best if you go get some sleep. It's not looking too good."

"Is she okay?" Hayley asked, walking towards me. I shook my head, and Hayley's hand covered her mouth.

"You want to come see her?" I asked, and she nodded. I took her hand, and we walked into the hospital room. Leah's head was resting on Ettie's arm, looking down at the bed.

Tears started falling down Hayley's face, as she came over to lay beside Ettie.

As I saw the two girls sitting beside Ettie, I realised how much both of them loved her. Hayley and Leah.

"It's my fault," I heard Hayley say.

"No," Leah answered, "it's not."

"Yeah, it is. She told me her heart wasn't good. She told me that it was painful, and I didn't say anything. She asked for me to keep it quiet, and I did, and now..." Hayley's voice trailed off. I was still standing at the entrance to the room, not wanting to start crying again.