The Lost Hope

Chapter 1

"Avery look out!"

"Harper no!"

*BANG!*

Avery woke up with a start, sweating furiously. She flung the blankets off with trembling hands, the blankets practically suffocating her. It was just a dream, Avery thought. 'Go back to sleep.'

But it was never actually a dream. Her sister's death still haunted her every night. Her family blaming it all on her. Like she was supposed to know that her sister would have jumped in front her. If Avery had known what would of happened, she would've never gotten into a big fight with her family. But it was all too late now. How Avery wished so badly she could take back that night, or erase it from her past. Yeah right, like that could ever happen. Somehow she would still be the fat 9th grader at Weston High that always got bullied. Ever since the accident Avery started purging.

*BEEP BEEP BEEP*

Avery woke up to her loud alarm clock, forgetting that she pressed snooze a dozen times. 'I'm going to be late!' Avery thought. She quickly flung off her blanket and did her business.

Avery got out and dressed in an oversized maroon sweatshirt and black sweatpants, her caramel hair put in a messy bun.  School, one of the places Avery despised other than home.

It was a place where she got bullied non-stop for her weight, her choice of clothing and the way freckles basically covered her entire face. Avery rushed downstairs only to be greeted with mean comments from her father.

"You rotten child, keep sleeping in and you'll only get fatter! You should've died instead of your sister, it's all your fault that she got shot!" Avery's so called father sneered at her. Her mother didn't say anything, although she was looking at Avery with a disgusted expression on her face.

It wasn't Avery's fault that her elder sister Harper jumped in front of her, taking the bullet.

*FLASHBACK*

"Harper! Harper! Can we go to the park? Pretty please?" the miniature 7 year old Avery begged. "Avery it's already late at night, can't we go tomorrow afternoon after I finish school?" Avery's 18 year old sister tried to reason. But little Avery was persistent. She was going to have to play dirty, using the one thing the Harper couldn't resist. Avery started making her famous puppy dog eyes. "Pretty please?" She begged again, only using the puppy dog eyes this time. Avery was right, Harper couldn't resist. "Okay fine, only for half an hour okay?" Harper replied nervously. Avery was so overjoyed that she didn't realise the worried look on her sister's face. She dragged Harper all the way to the park. But little did she know, that would be the last time she would ever see her sister again.

*FLASHBACK END*

Avery should've payed attention to her surroundings, her father was right. It was her fault that Harper died, she wanted to go to the park at night, she didn't pay attention to anything, and she ran instead of helping her sister. It was all her fault.

Avery walked to school with her head hung low, hoping that the day will end quickly with no complications. But alas, things never work in her favour. Her school had the cliché stereotypical jocks, cheerleaders, nerds etc.

"Hey fattie! Are you due soon?" Jason, a popular guy shouted. "Just go on a diet. I'll email you my new diet plan I am on." His girlfriend Amanda snickered while shouting. The insults were getting worse. A crowd was forming around them, most of them were laughing and insulting Avery, while others had looks of pity of their faces. Tears were threatening to fall so she ran out of school and to her favourite place. Downfall Cliff.

Avery sat on the grass while hugging her knees to her chest, wishing that she could just disappear. The wind was blowing harshly and thunderstorms were appearing, making matters worse. 'Why can't I be skinny and pretty like the other girls or why can't Harper still be here so mother and father wouldn't ignore me.' Avery thought sadly, getting soaked from the rain. She slowly stood up and went under the shelter her father made when she was younger. Avery took out a page from her book and a pen, she started to write a note.

"Dear bullies

  I have no idea what I've done to you guys for you to bully me but I have something to say to you. The girl you just called fat? She's overdosing on diet pills. The girl you just called ugly? She spends hours putting on makeup hoping people will like her. The boy you just tripped? He is abused enough at home. See the man with ugly scars? He fought for his country. The guy you just made fun of for crying? His mother is dying. There's a lot more to people than you think. Don't judge people before getting to know them."

Avery placed the note in her backpack hoping someone would find it. She thought about writing one for her parents but decided against it. Avery left her backpack under the shelter and went back into the rain, she walked to the edge of the cliff and took a deep breath. It felt like time slowed down. She thought about her younger memories, when she and Harper both ate ice-cream together on a hot day and laughed their worries away. When her parents would kiss her goodnight and when she still hadfriends and played around. Slowly, Avery started walking off the cliff. 'I'll see you soon Harper.'