House of Night: My Story Joanne Clarke
Last night was horrible for me. I had arrived back at the House of Night and went straight to Fiona's office to speak with her. I had knocked on her door and waited for the muffled 'come in'. When I walked in I could tell she had already been informed of my loss. I had sat with her for an hour asking if I could miss classes for the next couple of days; she had said of course but I would have to do the class work in my dorm I had agreed to that. She also discussed with me the matter of his funeral. I explained that my parents would be sorting that out and that I wanted to go to it. Fiona was really understanding about the matter, she explained that she would accompany me as I couldn't be far from an adult vampyre for long. After our meeting I had left her office feeling a weight being lifted off of my shoulders. I made my way back to the dorm rooms; I had to take gulps of air because I still felt as though I couldn't breathe. I reached the door and before I opened it and walked through I took three deep breaths to calm myself down. I opened the door and walked through. The whole room became silent when I entered; everyone gave sympathetic smiles towards me. I didn't bother with them because why would they feel sympathetic; it wasn't their little brother that just died! I walked over to my friends who were sitting at the group of chairs where we were this morning, I couldn't walk anymore and collapsed right there onto my knees and started to cry. Blair rushed over to me and bundled me into his arms, rocking me back and forth whispering comforting words into my hair. All my friends crowded around me as well all hugging me. I had my eyes squeezed shut as the tears still continued to leak out of my eyes and run down my face like rivers. I felt myself being lifted up and moving. Blair must have picked me up; I opened my eyes for a second and saw that he was carrying me towards my dorm room with my friends all trailing behind.
We entered Kelsey and mines room and Blair lay me down on my bed; he sat down next to me and I put my head on his lap. My friends all entered the room and gathered either on Kelsey's bed or sat down on the floor.
"He's gone." I whispered. "I didn't get to say goodbye before he died." A sob erupted from the back of my throat.
"Joanne, we know it's tough but we're gonna help you get through this." Shaunee said. The others all echoed her.
"Thanks guys. I really appreciate that." I said.
"We know you gonna get asked this a lot but how are you?" Erin asked.
"Not great." I replied. I took a deep shaky breath. "I don't wanna be rude or anything but can you guys maybe go. I just really want to sleep right now." I asked. They all nodded and started to make their way out the door. Blair started to move as well but I stopped him by grabbing his hand.
"Stay with me please?" I asked with tears glazing my eyes. He nodded and kissed my forehead; he lay down next to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Are you going to classes this week?" He asked in a whisper.
"No, Fiona is letting me stay out of classes but I still have to do the work in my dorm." I mumbled. I put my head on his chest and started to close my eyes. I fell into a deep sleep and started to dream.
It was daylight and I was outside of the elementary school. I heard the faint ring of the bell signalling the end of the day; I saw all the kids pour out of the entrances and making their way over to parents. Amongst all the faces I could pick out a certain boys face, his face was full of laughter as he laughed at a joke one of his friends had told him. He made his was out of the gate and towards the road. I heard the car before I saw it. He stepped out onto the road and didn't see the car. It all happened in a fast blur. One minute he was standing and the next he was being hit by the car and left lying on the road. I could hear the screams erupting from my throat but no one else seemed to hear them. I could see the horrified looks on people's faces and hear the screams of the kids. I kept screaming as I saw my little brother lying on the cold, wet ground...
I woke up screaming, with tears and sweat pouring down my face. I shot up and stopped screaming all the while gulping down air and trying to calm myself down. Blair who had been woken up by my screams started to help calm me down by hugging me and stroking my hair. I was silently crying and shaking from my nightmare.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Blair questioned. I nodded against his shoulder. "Wanna tell me what it was about?"
"I saw Cammy getting hit by the car." I said shakily. "I miss him so much Blair. I can't stand it, it's like there is something missing inside of me and it hurts so badly." I cried. He nodded in understanding.
"It'll get better though. You just need time." He explained.
"I think I'm gonna go for a shower." I stated whilst standing up from the bed. I looked over and noticed Kelsey wasn't there. "Where's Kelsey?" I asked.
"She said she would sleep in the Twins' room tonight." He explained. I nodded and grabbed some clean clothes and went into the bathroom. I showered and got changed into the clean clothes I had brought in with me. I walked out and looked to Blair.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"Just after 8 o'clock. Is there anything you wanna do today?" He asked. It was Saturday so we didn't have any classes.
"I want to go home and see my family. I told Alec that I wouldn't leave him and that I would see him real soon. I don't want to break that promise to him." I said. "Do you maybe want to come with me?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'll come with you." He said while hugging me. "I just need to run to my dorm to change out of these clothes. You can come with me or stay here and I'll be back in ten minutes."
"I'll stay here while you go."
"Ok, I'll be back in ten minutes." He kissed me and left. I sorted myself out before we left. I pulled my hair up into a messy pony tail. I pulled on the hoodie that Cameron had bought me for my birthday; it was grey and on the back it had 'No. 1 Sister' and my name. I loved it more now than ever because it really reminded me of him. I was wearing a pair of my black baggy joggers and I pulled on my blue converse. I played with the necklace Blair had gotten me while I waited for him to come back.
After Blair had come back in clean fresh clothes we made our way to his car. I didn't want to drive so he said he would drive us. We drove mostly in silence until we reached my street. He pulled into the driveway where my car used to be parked. We got out and walked up to the door; even though I lived her (kinda but not really) I still knocked the door. I could hear the shuffling of someone coming towards the door. It swung open and revealed my Dad who gave a smile when he saw me on the doorstep. I started on a new round of tears when I saw him and hugged him. I grabbed Blair's hand silently as we walked into my old house. I led us into the living room and saw my mum sitting in one of the armchairs looking at pictures. I walked over to her and we had a small conversation.
"I brought Blair if that's ok?" I said/asked.
"Yeah that's ok." She said. "Alec was wanting you last night. He wouldn't stop crying. He'll be glad you're here."
"Is he in his room?" I asked. My mum nodded her head. I silently left the living room. Blair didn't mind because he was talking with my dad. I wandered the familiar hall. I passed my parents room, then mine. I stole a quick look into my old room; it was exactly the same but bare. The walls were the same light blue with silver, red and purple paint splatters all over the place. All the stuff I had left was in its rightful place. I left the room and continued towards Alec's. I passed Cameron's and held myself together; I didn't take a look because I knew I would break down. I walked by it and then came to Alec's. I knocked lightly on the door and I heard a soft 'come in'. I opened the door and walked in. His face somewhat brightened when he saw me in the doorway.
"I heard you were missing me last night." I said and he nodded while running to hug me.
"Can you play on the Wii with me please Joanne?" He asked.
"Of course! Maybe Blair could join us as well. He came along with me. Is that ok?" I asked, he nodded and he grabbed my hand dragging me out of his room and towards the game room that was downstairs next to my dad's office.
"You set it up and I'll go get Blair." I ruffled his hair and left to go get my boyfriend. I walked into the living room to find my mum where she was but now watching TV and my dad and boyfriend over by the wall to the back of the house. This wall was what my dad called his glory wall. It had pictures of him in his high school days when he was on the football team; it also had pictures of me and my brothers because we were the most important thing to him as he said.
"I see you've now seen the 'glory wall'." I giggled. They turned to me and Blair had a mischievous smile on his face.
"You were a really cute baby." He smirked, I gasped. Oh no I forgot dad had pictures of us as babies on the 'glory wall'. I laughed it off and dragged him to the game room.
We played in the game room with Alec for a while but soon after we had to leave because we had been away from an adult vampyre for too long. I was sad to leave but I said I would be back soon. We got back in the car and made our way back to the House of Night. We arrived back and headed to my room; we entered the room and found the gang all ready hanging out in there.
"Well looks like you had a good time. You know considering." Craig said. I smiled sadly.
"Yeah, it was good. I spent time with my family and we hung out with Alec." I explained.
"And Jo's dad showed me his 'glory wall'." Blair said with a laugh. I hit his shoulder playfully.
"Hey! Don't diss the 'glory wall'." I giggled. We sat down and all my friends were asking about my family. I started talking about my family, telling them the funniest memories I had. I reminisced about Cammy and I was really teary at the end of it.
Even though I was empty from Cameron's death; I knew I would get through it with the help of my friends and family.
Two chapters in one day! Aren't you guys just lucky? I promised I would have another chapter up today and I have kept my promise.
LiveLikeThere'sNoTomorrow (: