Page 14 of Tell Me Everything
Elena finally nodded. “I'd love to.”
Chapter 8
Alex
The Fleureau house was unusually quiet. There was always noise coming from a TV or radio in one of the rooms. Today, there was nothing but absolute silence. Alex found Elena curled up on her bed. It was as if she were trying to make herself smaller, trying to disappear. Something bad must have happened. He put his hand on her shoulder, trying to get her attention. Elena startled and looked up at Alex, taking out her headphones. She hadn't heard him come in. Her cheeks were wet with tears. Alex had been right. Without thinking, he sat down beside her and took her in his arms. Elena burst into tears. He let her cry. It seemed that no one had been there for her for far too long.
“What happened?”
Elena clung to him like a lifeline. While Alex had promised himself not to get too attached to her, he was failing miserably. But none of his resolutions mattered when Elena was so close to him.
“Today marks three years since my brother died.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don't be. I should have died instead.”
He felt his heart skip a beat. Alex knew Elena was struggling with her family situation and her accident, but she'd never talked about dying. He'd never realized how broken she was inside. Just like him.
“Don't say that. Your life is worth as much as anyone else's.”
“Then why do I feel like I don't deserve to live?”
Her tears kept flowing. How could such a nice person feel so disposable? Alex tightened his embrace. If only he could makeher understand how precious she was.
“Did your father tell you that?”
“I wonder if anyone would realize if I disappeared. No one would miss me.”
“I'd miss you.”
This new reality unnerved him. Alex mentally put the thought in a box—one he would open later.
“That's not true. There's nothing about me you could miss.”
Alex didn't know what to do. Elena was desperate. When he'd been younger, Alex had found himself at the edge of the abyss, but his mother had been with him every step of the way. Between a father who didn't love her and a mother who never defended her, Elena was alone.
Alex stroked her hair. “You're my friend. Of course, I'd miss you. I know you can't believe this right now, but I'd be sad if anything happened to you.”
Elena nestled her face in the crook of his neck, enveloping him in her sweet cherry blossom perfume. “They went to visit his grave. He didn't want me to come.”
“You never had a chance to mourn his death. Your father never let you, did he?”
Elena had always taken the emotional and physical blows without ever having the chance to recover, believing she didn't deserve better. Alex couldn't imagine what it was like to be crushed relentlessly to the point of believing that his own life had no value whatsoever.
“Let's go.”
Elena stepped back as if he'd just slapped her. “What?”
“Let's go and visit his grave.”
Elena played with her hands, unsure what to do with herself. It was disturbing to see her like this. The girl who always looked so composed and stoic was a wreck. Alex wondered if it had been a mistake to suggest they go to the cemetery, but deep down, heknew it was what she needed. It was time she finally accepted her brother's passing. Otherwise, she'd never be able to move on.
“I’m not sure this is a good idea. He told me not to go.”
“When are you going to start living for yourself?”
“You make it sound so easy.”
