Never Ending || luke hemmings

• Eight •

So far I've only been able to get through about 2 classes. Everywhere I go, people keep reminding me of Chester. I know this may sound selfish, but it hurts me a lot more than it hurts them. He was my god damn brother!

I was at my locker changing my books for my next class when Jack, a friend of my brother's from football, came up to me. "Hey Mackenzie."

"Hi." I didn't need anything else from my locker, but I pretended to be going through my stuff since this conversation was awkward. Well at least for me.

"I'm really sorry to hear about your brother," and here we go. I gave him a small smile. "He was such a good guy. You'll get through it, I promise." He put a hand on my shoulder, and gave it a light squeeze.

He walked away afterwards. That's the thing though, I won't get through it. This will always be something that holds me back. I could feel the tears coming.

I slammed my locker. I can't do this, not with everyone reminding me. I slung my bag over my shoulder. I started walking towards the school doors, wiping my eyes from the numerous tears that fell. I probably looked like a raccoon, but I didn't care.

I walked straight out the doors and picked up my speed. I was now sprinting. To where? I don't know. I guess anywhere my feet would take me.

I ran, and kept on running until the school was far behind me. I took off my sweatshirt, putting it in my bag, because all this running was making me look like I just swam in my own sweat. I ended up bringing myself to the tree. I stood in the spot that Chester had ended his life.

I closed my eyes and listened to the sight around me. I could hear the birds in the trees and the rushing water from the river nearby. I could also sense that Chester was here with me. Almost as if he was standing in front of me. I opened my eyes. It was just me. He wasn't here. I was still alone.

I didn't have to be alone, though. I could be my family. I know I could. I walked over towards the bridge high above where the river flowed. There was a strong current. I knew this was the right thing to do.

I put my bag down and climbed up to the top of the railing. Closing my eyes I started to fall forward.

I was then stopped by someone grabbing me and pulling me back over.

Luke's POV

I was walking out of my 2nd class and heading over to Mackenzie's locker to see how she was doing. I know this is hard for her so I wanted to be there is she needed someone.

As I was almost there, I spotted her talking to Jack, one of the guys who's made my life hell since middle school. I got a pang of jealousy when I saw them. I've had a huge crush on Mackenzie since 8th grade. She actually noticed me this year, so I'm not blowing my chances.

As he left, she slammed her locker shut and started to walk the opposite way of where our next class was. This isn't good; I knew something was wrong, so I followed her.

She walked right out the school doors and started to run. I chased after her but ended up losing her.

I ran over to her house to see if she was there. I knocked on the door as fast and hard as I could so that she could hear me. No answer.

There weren't any cars in the driveway either, so I couldn't even ask her aunt and uncle if she was home. I started to run again. I searched through every place I could think of her hiding, and still got nothing. I even checked that tree she likes to go to.

I racked through my thoughts to try and get a good idea of where she might be. I closed my eyes to try and think, when I heard some walking from down the path. Then it hit me. The oak tree is down there.