A young girl sat on her mattress staring at the wall. Her brown hair was rather long, and her eyes a chocolate brown. She seemed no older than eleven. While the other kids were laughing and having fun outside in the winter snow, Hannah Overland stayed inside.
A year ago today, her brother had died saving her. She blamed herself for his death. Hannah and her brother Jack were very close. If only she hadn't wanted to go ice-skating. If only she had listened to her parents and stayed indoors. There were many if only's that ran through young Hannah's mind every day since his death.
Her room door opened and a group of three kids stood there, covered in snow. They stayed in the doorway, apparently deciding whether or not it was a good idea to enter her room. Hannah's gaze turned to the group of kids.
"Hannah, we were wondering if you'd like to play with us?" A girl with stringy blonde hair and dark blue eyes asked after a moments of silence.
"No thank you, Elizabeth." Hannah said quietly. The girl Hannah called Elizabeth gave a small sigh.
"Please Hannah," begged another girl with light brown hair and grey eyes quietly. Her name was Emma. "You have to get out. You've barely left your room since…" she trailed off, not wanting to upset Hannah. Hannah shook her head.
"No thank you." She repeated. A young boy sighed and walked in the room, sitting beside Hannah. His hair was a soft brown and reached just past his ears, and eyes a brilliant green. His voice was soft, but full of concern for his friend.
"Miss Hannah, please understand that we are just worried about you. You haven't been the same since his death." He said, and Hannah looked away. "You barely eat, hardly sleep, and the only time you leave this room is when it's absolutely necessary." The two girls standing in the doorway nodded in agreement.
"James I-" Hannah started, but James cut her off.
"No Miss Hannah, please listen to me. I know you miss Jack, however I think it's time you move on. As you remember, Jack was the kind of person who loved making people laugh and have fun. I'm sure that would be exactly what he would want you to do- have fun. I don't think he'd be very happy to know that his own sister was wasting her life by staring at a wall.
It's not your fault he died, Hannah. He died protecting you. I don't think he'd want you to spend the rest of your life like this." James finished, looking Hannah in the eyes. Hannah sighed.
"You're right James. Jack wouldn't want me to spend my time like this." Hannah agreed, and James sighed in relief.
"So does that mean you'll play with us?" Elizabeth asked from the doorway. A smile grew on Hannah's face as she nodded. "Great! Let's go then!" Hannah jumped up from her bed, followed by James. The four of them ran outside.
Suddenly, a snowball hit Hannah's back. She turned around to see James, trying to act innocent. "James Bennett, no fair!" Hannah shouted, and then threw a snowball at him.
"Snowball fight!" Emma declared, as she flung one at Elizabeth. Immediately a snowball fight broke out between the group of four. They were having such a great time that they didn't even realize it started snowing. And Hannah Overland didn't think about her brother again for the rest of the night.
What did you think of It? Please review! And yes, James Bennett is and ancestor of Jamie Bennett. He does end up marrying Hannah.