strings | ✗

01. Sage

Thursday, January 3rd

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"Autumn Anderson has committed suicide."

Those were the last words I expected from Mrs.Lee's mouth on an early thursday morning.

It was impossible. Not in a million years would I believe this, it must be some kind of sick joke. It has to be. Not my Autumn, she would never.

Autumn had fiery hair just to match her fiery personality, she never was spotted with a frown. This is impossible. A mistake. Maybe it's her sister, maybe it's someone else with the same name.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

Silver Tames, true to his name, has striking silver eyes, asked. I looked over at him with such sympathy, if it was true he wouldn't be normal for a while.

I don't remember it well, to be completely honest, but Silver and Autumn dated back in junior high. When they broke apart, Silver fell into a place nobody wanted to be. This has to be living hell for him.

"I'm afraid not." The teacher spoke again, taking off her glasses and folding them neatly before placing them on her desk.

Nobody dared to say a word. Nobody dared to breathe. I could feel my ribcage caving in, and the feeling of throwing up overwhelmed me.

"Excuse me." I whispered before standing up and rushing out of the room. I tried to walk but I ended up sprinting to the bathroom, catching myself on the sink before I broke.

Autumn Anderson was the most beautiful and kind girl I've ever met, she is my best friend, was.

I swallowed but my throat was so dry. I looked up at myself in the mirror, my eyes starting to tear up. I can't cry. I won't allow myself.

It's weak. Crying is weak. Crying-

I started crying.

I couldn't stop myself once I started, I backed against the wall and sunk down. I curled my knees to my chest and just sobbed.

It took a few minutes till I heard someone's footsteps, but I didn't dare to look up and meet their eye.

"Sage." Someone whispered, causing me to snap my head up.

"You can't be in here." I whispered back to Silver, but he obviously didn't care. He shook his head and I could tell he was on the verge of tears too, and Silver never cries.

"Come on." He whispered, grabbing my hand and pulling me up. I felt weak. I leaned against him as he walked me to an empty classroom.

Right when we sat down he started to break down also, countless tears streaming down his face till it seemed like a never ending river. He was hurting.

I did what I do best and pulled him in for a hug, and he gladly accepted the embrace. We sat there for a while, just crying together.

"She said she was so pleased with her life, that nothing could ruin her." Silver spoke, breaking the silence. The struggle in his voice was evident but I wasn't going to stop him, he needed to talk.

"She wouldn't let me leave without cracking a smile, or telling her I loved her." He said in a slight whisper, pushing his face further into my shoulder.

I kept my arm around him, he needed someone. I found it heartbreaking that the big ol' Silver Tames was crying. It hurt, really bad. And I hated it more than anything.

Silver and I weren't that close, but I don't think he cared in that moment. All we needed was someone to comfort in.

"Her smile took my breath away. Her laugh. Everything about her. All my friends have told me to move on but I can't, she's all I've ever wanted. Now my dream girl is gone, Sage, she's all gone."

His voice cracked at the end and that's what hit me. She's gone. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I kept a tight embrace with him.

"What about Addy?" He asked, looking up at me. His eyes were red and the life seemed to be gone, he looked so upset. So broken. He looked dead.

"Poor Addy.." Was all I could say, thinking of Autumns little sister. She brought so much life to the family, also. They both did.

"I can't stay here." Silver said suddenly, pulling away from me and standing up, starting to pace.

"Silver, calm down."

"No. No I need answers. There's no way this happened. No possible way."

I agreed, there was no way Autumn could've killed herself.

"Then let's leave." I offered into the air, rising to my feet. I could stand skipping school for a day, I certainly didn't mind that.

"I'll figure this out." Silver said, and I believed him. He sounded so determined.

"Come on." He looked at me, his jaw set in a hard line, and reached out a hand.

I took a deep breath and grabbed his hand.

Let's go on an adventure.