"And now, ladies and gentleman, let us celebrate the life of Aaron Michael Taylor. His mother requested for his close friend, Christina Spurs, to perform a song in his memory." The preacher announced, as I took my seat in front of the piano.

I took a deep, pained breath as all eyes went to me. I warmed up on a few of the keys and began. Here's to you, Aaron.

The notes flew out of my fingertips, with music hitting everyone to the core.

[I]"I stumbled across your picture today, I could barely breathe.
The moment stopped me cold and grabbed me like a thief.
I dialed your number but you wouldn't be there.
I knew the whole time, but it's still not fair.
I just wanted to hear your voice, I just needed to hear your voice.

"What do I do with all I need to say,
So much I wanna tell you everyday.
Oh, it breaks my heart,
I cry these tears in the dark.
I write these letters to you,
But they get lost in the blue.
Cause, there's no address in the stars.[/I]

I closed my eyes as my fingers danced over the keys. I heard people sobbing and I found a tear falling down my cheek.

[I] "Now I'm driving through the pitch black dark.
I'm screaming at the sky,
Oh, cause it hurts so bad.
Everybody tells me that all I need is time.
Every morning rolls in, and it hurts me again,
And that ain't nothin but a lie.

"What do I do with all I need to say,

So much I wanna tell you everyday.
Oh, it breaks my heart,
I cry these tears in the dark.
I write these letters to you,
But they get lost in the blue.
Cause, there's no address in the stars.[/I]

Images of Aaron, Zack, and myself flashed through my mind. How am I supposed to go on without my best friend and partner-in-crime?

[I] "Without you here with me,
Don't know what to do
I'd give anything just to talk to you.

"Oh, it breaks my heart.

"Oh it breaks my heart.

"All I can do is write these letters to you.
But there's no address in the stars.[/I]

As soon as my voice cut, my eyes were drowning in tears. I got up from my seat and walked over to Aaron's body.

"Chris!" Dad heaved as he rushed over to me.

"Why?! Why did you have to be so stupid?" I cried out and collapsed in front of the casket.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his lap. People gasped and stood out of their seats.

"Okay, I think we all need a moment. Let's get a breath of fresh air everyone." The preacher called out and some left, while others were still in shock at my freak out.

I couldn't help but cry. I couldn't move; I could barely breathe. My dad whispered to me that everything would be okay, but he was wrong. My best friend's dead. My step brother is in a coma.

Could this possibly brighten up?

"Come on, Chris. You have to get up." Dad cooed in my ear. "We have to let the pallbearers come in."

I pushed him away and crawled over to the side where Aaron's head laid on the pillow. I stood on my knees and stared at his face.

"I'm so sorry, Aaron." I whispered as the pallbearers came in and closed the casket. "I'm so sorry."

"Chris, I'm sorry. But you have to get up." Aaron's brother, Darryl, sighed as he helped me up. "I have to finish this."

"I'm so sorry, Darryl. How are you doing?" I sniffled and rubbed away tears.

"Numb. Never thought I'd have to bury my brother this soon." He mumbled and placed a hand on the casket top. "When are you taking off for Washington?"

"In a few hours." Darryl nodded and hugged me.

"Keep in touch, okay? I don't want to loose another sibling."

Darryl was just like my older brother, seeing as how I was always around and he took care of me.

"I will. Take care of yourself, D.T." I wrapped my arms around his torso.

The rest of the pallbearers came in and took their positions around the casket. I went over to my dad and we followed them to the hearse. I saw people who I haven't seen in years weeping as Darryl and the rest of the pallbearers went passed them.

I walked to the car with Dad and didn't say anything as we rode to the cemetery. Raindrops hit the window and I couldn't help but roll down the window and stick my hand out. Aaron's face popped into my head.

[I] I've always wanted it to rain on my funeral. It's a beautiful thing. Plus, it smells awesome afterwards. [/I]

When we pulled up to the drive, Jessica and Darryl were already seated. People pulled in behind us and piled out of the vehicles. The preacher approached the podium next to the grave. A picture of Aaron was on a stand under the tent, away from the rain.

"Here's where we say our final good-byes to Aaron. Aaron, we hope you're with the heavenly Father and flying with the angels!" The man preached.

I held Jessica's hand as the casket started its way into the grave. Her hand tightened its grip when the casket was out of sight. I helped her stand and toss a daisy in the grave. Her knees shook as she stood in one place. Darryl came up and held her up against him.

I thanked him as they walked away. Jessica nearly collapsed as they made their way to the car. My heart shattered at the sight of her. No parent should ever bury their children.

"Come on, Chris. We should get going." Dad whispered as we watched Darryl and Jess drive away.

He grabbed my shoulder and I followed obediently to his truck.

I grabbed the last of my luggage from the stairs and tossed it into the back of the Jeep. Rachel and Dad were standing next to me, tears drowning Rachel's eyes. Dad, well you could tell that he was holding it. The only one missing was Zack. I said good bye to him right after Aaron's funeral; Dropped off some of his things there for when he woke up.

"Call us when you get there, okay kiddo?" Dad mumbled as he pulled me into a hug.

"I will. Keep me updated on Zack. Please." I whispered as I pulled away.

"We'll miss you, Christina." Rachel pulled me into a death lock hug. I was about to turn red when she released me.

"I'll miss you, too." I smiled and waved to them as I hopped into the drivers seat.

I had just crossed into Washington not even five minutes ago and my phone started singing [I] Hero[/I] by Skillet.

"Hello?"

"Christina, where are you at?" My mother called into the phone.

"Just crossed into Washington. I should be there within two to four hours."

"Stop by the diner before you get home. I'll fix you up your favorite lunch. Chicken Alfredo with sautéed mushrooms."

"I'll have to pass. Don't have much of an appetite." I sighed as I stopped at a red light.

My iPod switched to [I]So Wrong[/I] by Atreyu, Aaron's favorite song. I clenched my jaw and squeezed the bridge of my nose underneath my sunglasses. A honk from behind me told me that the green light came on and I started off again.

"Alright. Oh, almost forgot. Your room's the top floor, third room on the left. I know how you like to sit on the roof. Collin is across the hall. He'll probably be at the house when you get there."

"Okay. You working late tonight?"

"Yes, so I won't be able to take you out tonight. So I got something to make it up to you. I bet it's in your room right now." Mom chuckled and mumbled something to the other people by her. "Sweetie, I have to get going. I'll talk to you when I see you. Love you."

"Alright. Love you, too."

Around nine at night, I pulled into the drive and saw a '92 Dodge Dakota parked next to a white Cadillac. In La Push, Washington, you could never tell who had what kind of car.

I had already called Dad and Rachel when I arrived in La Push and had texted Collin, telling him I would be there soon; No answer from him at all. I grabbed some of my bags and walked up to the house. I opened the door and I heard the T.V. blaring. I walked into the living room and there were two figures on the couch.

"Babe, stop." the girl voice laughed.

"Oh come on." the male voice chuckled and his head turned towards me. Collin's face appeared in the light from the T.V. "Oh! Hi, Chris."

He and the girl went back to their positions on the couch, with her laying into him and his arm around her.

"Sup, Collin? Not gonna give your twin sister a hug?" I said sarcastically, walking over to the hallway to drop my bags by the stairs.

"Maybe later. I don't feel like getting up right now." He chuckled and his little [I] friend[/I] giggled. "This is my sister Chris, babe. Chris, this is my girl, Dana."

She didn't look like any other girl that Collin usually dated. She had a pale complexion with her brunette hair dyed red; You could see the brunette roots. Freckles devoured her face. Black eye make-up surrounded her eyes. Her shoulders were covered in a bright pink shirt. Only a skirt-if you could call a tiny bit of jean covering her thighs a skirt- was on the edge of Collin's lap as her dark tanned legs were placed on his lap. She gave me [I] that[/I] smile. You know those smiles like "I'm only being nice and sympathetic to you because you're his sister." looks? That.

"Hi." I mumbled, knowing for a fact we weren't going to hit it off.

"Oh! Mom told me to tell you. There's someone upstairs for you, I guess."

"Don't know. They got here before we got home. Thinkin' it's that old puppy that used to follow you around. Hasn't stopped talking about you comin' back since Leah told him."

"Well it's not like I'm staying for long. I'd like to stay in St. Clair with Dad, thank you."

"Whatever." He grumbled and turned back to the T.V.

Since before I could remember, Collin and I weren't ever too close, even for twins. Especially when it came to our parents' fights. I'd always side with Dad while Collin went with Mom. They actually gave us the choice when we were eleven on who we wanted to live with, seeing as they couldn't agree on a compromise.

I decided to leave them be and picked up my bags and went back to the Jeep. I grabbed the rest of my bags and walked back inside. I grabbed everything and walked upstairs. I followed Mom's directions and walked to the third room on the left. I let some stuff sit on the ground in order to open the door. I heard a muffled noise behind the door.

"Hello?" I mumbled and opened the door.

There was a body lying in my bed. I slowly maneuvered over to it and looked at the face. My smile widened and I couldn't help but chuckle. My best friend from my childhood, Seth Clearwater, was lying in my bed. I shook him a little bit and he snorted awake.

"I'm up! I'm up!" He coughed and looked around. I laughed and his face shot to me. "Whoa! Christina?"

"I prefer Chris now." I smiled widely and he pulled me into his arms.

"Oh my god! You look…. Oh my god!"

"I know. I know. I have tits and an ass now. You can say it." His eyes widened at me and he started laughing.

"You've definitely changed, Chris. Where did you get that mouth?"

"Michigan." I chuckled.

"How… what have you been doing all this time? Tell me everything! God, it's been years!"

"Not much actually. New friends, new life. I just got off on probation a few months ago. Right before…" My mind went blank. Pictures flashed in front of my eyes.

"Yeah, your mom told me about what happened." Seth coughed and I nodded. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing better. I mean, there's nothing I can really do about it. Zack's not waking up right now and Aaron's…." I cut myself off and Seth pulled me into his arms.

"Why don't we get your mind off everything? There's a bonfire on the beach. Why don't you come with me?" I looked up at him and saw that twinkle in his eyes that he always had.

"I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to."

"Not tonight, Seth. I'm exhausted from the drive."

"You drove all the way here from Michigan?"

"Yeah. I couldn't stand staying on a plane forever and then, not having my car around."

"Someone obsessed with their car?"

"Hey, that Jeep is my baby. Don't hate." I chuckled and looked at my bags. "I should probably start unpacking."

"Need some help?"

"Nah. It's okay. It's not that much. You don't have to."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'll be okay. Don't worry. Go have fun at the beach." I hugged Seth and he nodded his head.

"Alright. What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Uh, I'm not sure."

"You're going out with me tomorrow. I'll be here around noon. You have no say." He grinned, exposing his pure white teeth.

"Alright, Clearwater." I laughed and he waved before turning and walking away.

As I started to unpack my things, I pulled out my speakers and laptop. Underneath the laptop, was a photo album. I didn't recognize it. I pulled it out and sat on the edge of the bed.

I opened to the first page and a paper fell out. I picked it up and saw my name on it.

[I]Chris-

I had your father put this in your box for me. I couldn't say goodbye to you, not after what happened. But I thought I'd give you this. Aaron wanted to give it to you for your birthday. He was almost done with it so I thought I'd give it to you before you left.

There's something else. I found this CD with your name on it. It's in the back of the book. I didn't look at it, so I have no idea what it is.

Good luck in La Push! Remember to come back.

Love you,

Bianca [I]

I looked at the album and back at the paper. I set the album aside and grabbed my laptop. I set it up on the desk in the room and went to get the CD. I quickly put it in and there was a video.

Our friends Traci, Amanda, Tyler, Dan, and I were sitting outside of the school and in a circle. Tyler and Amanda were strumming on their guitars. I had Aarons baseball cap on backwards and dancing around with Traci. Dan was drumming with his drumsticks.

I remembered this day. It was the day before midterms and we got to have class outside. We were trying to turn random songs into rock songs. Aaron had suggested [I]The Climb[/I] by Miley Cyrus. Tyler and I were singing the words and everyone was swaying while a pranced around the circle.

Then, the camera moved to Aaron's face and I came into the screen with him, cheek to cheek. Tears poured out of my eyes and my heart was shattering.

What was I going to do without my best friend?