fragile

21

Colton stood there in his black suit, the sun almost mocking him in the way it brightly shone down on the world.

Everyone else had left as soon as she had been buried but he couldn't stop staring at the ground that held his sister's body.

She had finally managed to do the one thing he thought she would never do.

And a part of him hated her for it.

He was sick of crying. He was sick of being in pain over someone who didn't even value or acknowledge his love.

He was sick of loving yet another person who would end up leaving him. The burning fire within him that he had pushed down years ago threatened to resurface.

It wasn't fair, he wanted to scream.

Colton wanted to hurt someone. Hurt himself -- hurt something.

Like he used to.

Such rage, fury, unadulterated anger coursed through his veins that he felt he would snap any moment. He clenched his fists.

His chest hurt from the emotional strain he was putting on himself. He just wanted the damn pain to stop before it overtook him entirely.

Before the pure fury consumed him.

A hand on his shoulder caused him to suddenly relax, the tension in his muscles seeming to run out of his body like liquid.

"Colton," a voice cracked. "I'm here for you, man."

He turned around to see his best friend Sammy, eyes red-rimmed and puffy. He suddenly looked older than he was—they both did.

Unshed tears filled his eyes and immediately Colton engulfed him into a big hug.

He knew how much he loved his sister; he loved her even more than Colton did. Whenever Sammy could, he was at their house, looking after her even though she never acknowledged him.

Colton could feel his best friend trembling in his arms, sniffling occasionally.

The tears of both men soaked the other's coat; it was heart-wrenching to know that the woman they both loved was suddenly gone from their lives.

Things would never be the same.

A feminine voice cleared her throat from behind him, and they pulled away. Sammy looked over Colton shoulder and gave a small nod to whoever was standing behind him.

"I'll get going and give you two a moment. If you wanna talk, I'm just a call away."

He nodded and watched as his friend dragged himself away, shoulders hunched and head down, his usual confidence and charisma drained out from him.

They were all just empty shells walking around, now.

When Colton turned around and his eyes met with the last person he wanted to see, he wanted nothing more than to slap her and tell her to fuck off.

He stopped himself by biting down on his tongue.

"Hey, Colton, I just wanted to offer my condolences before I left."

"Alright," he said, his voice hoarse from the tears.

Avery forced a smile on her face. "Well, um, I'm sure you'll be fine."

He had had enough.

"Sure, Avery. My sister fucking killed herself, but yeah no, I'll be just fine," he spat at her, the anger turning venomous and dripping from his tone like acid.