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I don't go to school. I don't sleep or eat, either. I don't even leave my room. My mother has gone back to drinking and my father back to working. Nobody notices me but Porter, who I shun easily.

I leave myself isolated. The school calls and I don't answer. They leave voicemails I don't listen to and delete immediately.

And AJ is everywhere.

Laughing. Coughing. Crying. Saying that he loves me. Bragging about his "Monopoly skills." Snooping around for hospital files. Talking about boys. Sharing his opinions on movies. Disagreeing with my opinions on movies. Smiling. Throwing tissues. Throwing game boards as a joke. Cleaning the game pieces up off the floor. Sitting by the windowsill in his hospital room and talking about life.

An image of him laying in his casket invades my thoughts and I whimper. I return to my pillow, which has already been soaked with tears.

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