Chapter 15

March 24, 1996

For most of Sunday morning, Tiegan was crying her heart out while Stephanie was sitting on the couch looking motionless. Neither girl was able to come to grips with the news that both Louis and Corey died in a car crash in the early hours of the morning. Just yesterday, they were hanging out in the city and having a great time. And who could forget swimming at the beach? Sadly, they would never be able to see or hear from Louis and Corey ever again.

"It's...not...fair." Tiegan gasped between sobs.

Stephanie didn't say anything.

Louis and Corey, why did you do something so stupid?! Stephanie thought. If you guys didn't get into that car, you'd both still be alive!

Tiegan continued to cry, while Stephanie remained sitting on the couch.

At around midday, Melissa came over. She heard about the fatal accident on the news and like Tiegan and Stephanie, was quite upset.

"Girls, this is absolutely terrible." Melissa cried. "I've known Corey since primary school. I just can't believe he and Louis are gone."

"You know, it's funny how you've known people for such a short time and you become really close them." Tiegan told Melissa. "Then all of a sudden, they are no longer with you."

Melissa gave Tiegan a hug.

"Steph?" Tiegan asked her.

Stephanie turned round and faced Tiegan.

"What?"

"You haven't said a word." Tiegan told her.

"Maybe I'm too heartbroken to say anything!" Stephanie said angrily.

"Stephanie, you can cry." Melissa said gently.

"I'm too heartbroken to cry either." Stephanie said.

And with that, Stephanie got up and went straight to her bedroom. Tiegan and Melissa looked very concerned.

"She's holding her emotions in." Tiegan cried.

"I know."

Melissa and Tiegan hugged each other as they cried.

Later, Tiegan arrived home to find Sally in the kitchen.

"Pippa not home?" Tiegan asked her.

"No, she went to the store." Sally replied.

"Tell her I've gone to have a sleep." Tiegan said before making her way upstairs.

"Okay." Sally responded.

Once Tiegan went into her bedroom, she started to sob.

"Why, Corey, why?" Tiegan sobbed.

A few hours later, a devastated Tiegan was laying on the bed when the bedroom door knocked.

"What?!" Tiegan snapped.

Kelly Watson walked in.

"Tiegan, it's me." Kelly said.

"Sorry, Kelly." Tiegan said when she realised it who it was.

"I thought Stephanie was here." Kelly said.

Tiegan looked very confused. "I thought she was at home." she said.

"I poked my head into her bedroom and she wasn't there." Kelly told her. "Where could she have gone?"

Tiegan looked very sad. First, Kate had to tell her the tragic news about Louis and Corey and now her new best friend can't be found. What else can go wrong?

Stephanie was at the beach looking at the waves crashing down. She needed to get out of the house. Everyone was telling her to cry and to do this and that. In her mind, Stephanie wanted to believe that Louis and Corey were in hospital recovering from their injuries, but she knew that they would never come back.

"Steph?"

Stephanie turned around and saw Tiegan standing there.

"Hey, Tiegz." Stephanie said.

Tiegan sat next to Stephanie on the sand. "I thought you could use some company." she said to her best friend.

"They were such nice guys." Stephanie said. "What on earth possessed them to get into that car?!"

"Steph, neither Louis or Corey drove the car." Tiegan told her.

"Really?"

"Yes." Tiegan replied. "Kate told me that the four of them, the driver and another passenger, were drunk when they had the accident."

"What's going to happen to the driver now?" Stephanie asked her.

"The driver died in hospital a short time ago." Tiegan replied. "As for the other passenger, she's in a serious condition."

"No...no...NOOOOOOOOOO!" Stephanie yelled before breaking down in tears.

"Oh, Steph." Tiegan cried.

"Louis and Corey didn't deserve this!" Stephanie sobbed.

"I know."

Tiegan and Stephanie held on to each other as they continued to mourn the loss of Louis and Corey.

NEXT TIME...
- When a teacher makes a remark about Louis and Corey, Tiegan goes ballistic!
- Stephanie reveals to Selina her true feelings for Louis
- Pippa is asked to foster another child