Don't Let Go

I entered my room, searching for my chap stick, which I always misplaced. I took another step in, and walked to my nightstand, 1

"Ah-ha!" I announced lifting the tube and popping off the top, then smoldering it over my lips. Relief, sweet relief.2

I flopped on my bed reaching over for my book, then pulled out the bookmark, setting it neatly next to my hip. I couldn't help but look outside my window when I heard some muffled talking and banging of metal.
A large U-Haul truck was parked backwards in front of the house across the street from mine, the "For Sale" sign was taken down, which I had just noticed now, and three people jumped out from the truck. It's not hard for a girl to miss seeing, ever, but there was a boy, hopefully my age, fourteen, with shaggy dirty blond hair. I saw him investigate his new surroundings, I instantly felt pity for him, he looked sad and sleepy. 3

His mother, I was guessing, appeared wrapping her arm around him, now facing the house, she hugged him closer, then kissed his head and went over to the U-Haul helping a big built, raven haired man, lift up the sheet of metal protecting all their boxes and such inside.4

I sighed, I knew if my mom had known there were new neighbors, she'd be the first one to march out there and greet them, my father trailing behind, not so enthused about it, but was surely to warm up to them soon enough.5

But, my mom and dad were not here, off running errands they hadn't told me about, only leaving me a simple note saying that they'd be back no later than 4:30. Realizing the time, I frowned as my clock's Scarlett blinking letters switched to 4:59.6

I quickly lost interest of the people across the street from me when I saw a clear crystal drop of rain hit my window pane.7

"Oh, great." I scowled to the hungry, gray clouds rolling in, dropping the clear pearls rapidly, drenching everything almost instantly. . Resting my head on hands, I watched drearily as the new neighbors disappeared into a sheet of water, and all I could see were vague movements.8

Just another boring Saturday. 9

Lazily, I slunk back into my book, continuing my exciting adventure.10

Suddenly, a shrill ringing echoed through my house, and drifted up into my room, making me wince slightly.11

The home phone.
Not wanting to leave my adventure, I sat up, nose still in my book and made my way down the stairs slowly, keeping one hand on the railing, eyes still plastered to the words. I looked up for only a second to reach out and grab the phone of the hook, using my finger as a bookmark, I answered12

"Hello?" I asked perking up, hoping it was mom telling me she was on her way home, that she had just got caught up in traffic. 13

"Adele?" a woman's voice came from the other end, sounding pained and familiar. 14

"Uh, yeah. May I ask who this is?" I questioned, arching an eyebrow and, taking a moment to glance at the phone, wondering who was calling.15

" It's Aunt Ginny. I have some, news.." she paused, I could hear her taking in a breath, I braced my self. "Some bad news." she cried out softly, and in a blink of an eye, I was alert, leaning against my kitchen counter grasping the phone, hoping it wasn't something too horrible...16

"Marie and Lake, your parents, they were in an accident. The police called me, identifying your mom's phone contact list, saw my name and called me. Honey, are you alright?" my Aunt asked me, and I not answering.17

They weren't dead. They couldn't be. Her dad was the safest driver alive. He always, always went at least 5-10 under the speed limit, and wouldn't let the car move and inch until everyone was securely strapped in by their seat belts.18

"Adele...,are you there sweetie? I'm so sorry." Ginny called my name softly. 19

How in the world was I supposed to reply to something like this?20

My stomach knotted into an impossible knot, and went flying into my throat. Tears began to form rapidly at the brim of my eyes, blurring my vision of everything. Even when I tried wiping them away, more still came.21

"H-ow? What happened?" I barely managed to choke out.22

What was I going to do? Where was I going to go? Ugh, I couldn't make it through this..I couldn't. 23

What the hell was I supposed to do without my loving, caring, mother who did everything for me? Or my father, who was there to talk, and who loved me, no matter what the bad choices I did. Whenever I got grounded, he'd make me his famous hot chocolate, with two cinnamon sticks sticking out, and a pile of creamy whip cream. How could that all just disappear like that? My whole life changed in a single call. Everything gone, it seemed like. A salty waterfall suddenly bursted out, streaming down, and I muffled my mouth, trying not to cry out. I let my self sink down, wrapping my arms around my legs, and leaning my head back, my head holding down the phone onto my shoulder.24

"Apparently their car swerved off the road, caused by rain, and several other cars were jammed in front of them and behind. Six cars crushed them."25

Was the rain really that bad out?, I thought. Suddenly, a clap of thunder erupted, causing me wince, and I could see a flash of bright light streak across the sky through my living room window, making the area to light up for a short second.26

Well that answered that.27

I felt sorry for myself. I really did. Shouldn't I be allowed to feel that way? Yes, I thought so. It was understandable. Another wash of sadness, and what now seemed like depression swallowed me up.28

"Oh." I cried now hardly, not being able to hold anything in anymore. I shook violently, feeling numb and cold all over, feeling hopeless.29

I didn't know what to do, what to think. I just didn't know anything!30

"Shh, honey. Everything will be alright. I'm on my way over, alright? Hang tight. It will be okay." she promised, and I could tell she was crying too.31

Aunt Ginny and mom were close, she had just lot her sister as well.32

"Kay." I stuttered, mumbling, hugging myself tighter and burying my face into my knees.33

"Love you, forty five minutes, I'm coming." she told me,34

"Love you." I mumbled, then quickly hit the "End" button, and as soon as I did that, I cried the hardest I have ever cried before, and it hurt. So much pain a person can feel, just by losing someone they loved deeply, and who left large footprints in their hearts.35

Especially, because it was my parents.36

**37

Fifteen minutes later, I slowly inched my way up from the linoleum floor, holding my hands together, I unclasped them and wiped them across my clammy and damp cheeks, trying to dry the sticky tears. Leaving the phone to the floor with a clank.38

"Outside.." I muttered, since that was the immediate first thing that hit my mind when I stood up.39

So I got my coat, or, my dad's large green and white plaid coat, slipped it on, and stepped outside onto my porch, watching the storm with hatred. That was what killed my parents. Water, rain.40

Not Dad's driving. At least I was sure he was the one who had been driving. 41

I didn't realize I hadn't had shoes on, and I gasped once my foot hit the ice cold pavement, I looked down, then turned to look at my door, anticipating whether I should get my shoes or not.42

Nah, I decided and took another step forward.43

The world was bleak and dull now. Nothing seemed correct, everything off balanced. I pushed my drenched hair out of my face, and trudged down the street, keeping my head down as I let more tears and cries of sorrow pouring out.44

It's good to cry in the rain, because no one can see you crying.45

I arrived at my destination I had not planned to come upon. The small park, with every fun thing a two year old would be in paradise at.46

Swings galore, a huge jungle gym, three ginormous plastic red, purple, and yellow slides, seesaws, fake seahorses to sit on, and my favorite, a long, silver metal, thin slide.47

I made my way over to the one, the soggy moulch sinking under me as I walked across it. The bars to hold onto were freezing, but I didn't let that stop me. I reached up with both arms, grabbing on to the bars, I pulled myself up un-steadily, my feet hitting the steps. 48

I reached the top moments later, and let my head fall back, my hood fell off, and the hard rain splattered sharply against my face.49

The cold raindrops, and the warm tears hurt as they mixed together and slapped against me. I turned around, hands still on the bars, I took one more step up then knelt on my knees.50

Harshly, I fell onto my stomach, hitting the slippery metal slide, threatening to let me fly right down if I still had not been holding on to the handles.51

I must've looked crazy, it probably looked like I was hanging off a cliff with bars attached to the edge, except for the fact that I had a metal sheet underneath me to support me.52

My arms ached from still holding onto the slide, and my hands felt bruised. I rested my head against the slide, crying still, but more softer now.53

What would happen if I just let go? Let go of everything...54

Or to just die. Would it feel nice to just let go?55

I looked up, and contemplated letting my fingers finally slip...letting go. 56

"Stupid, stupid, stupid." I muttered about myself. Suicide? Come on, get real., I hissed to myself.57

"Fake suicide? Something like that?" came a warm voice, I looked up startled, and let my left hand un grasp from the slide, but a gloved hand caught my wrist.58

"What?" When I was able to look up completely at him, I realized it was the new boy from across the street. His hair was wet, and dripping, and his eyes were a dazzling, startling crystal blue.59

"I think someone is looking for you at home." he said cautiously, peering at me through his hair.60

"Oh." I whispered looking down, straining to pull myself up.61

"Don't let go, okay?" he asked me, and I stole a glance as he smiled at me, I felt bad for only frowning a little more.62

"If I let go, I can get down easier." I said, getting my voice back.63

"But you shouldn't let go, I heard about what happened to your parents. And I'm really sorry." came his voice.64

I did not reply, only feeling more stinging tears slide down.65

"Come on." he said, and grunted as he took both of my wrists, and pulled me up off the slide, now standing on the top, I saw how soaked I was, and also felt humiliated for crying, and looking like I was trying to commit suicide off a slide.66

"Thanks." I said meekly, as he helped me down the steps, holding onto my arm. Boy, was he strong.67

"Are you alright?" he asked as he tried to look at my face.68

"Yeah, I think..hope." I answered.69

"We should get you back home now, some lady is waiting for you there." Wow, forty five minutes already?70

I sighed, wiping the extra tears from my eyes and looked down.71

"I'm Taylor." he told me, and smiled.72

"Adele." And surprisingly, I smiled back.73

**74

Two years had passed, and I had learned Taylor was right, everything would be okay. It was, it really was.75

Taylor had become my best friend, and even though after my parent's death, I went to live with my Aunt Ginny, I got my license soon after, and came to visit him frequently. We did everything together, learned everything from each other. Whenever I was down, he'd hug me with his strong and protective arms, and say, "Don't let go. Everything's going to be alright." I'd believe him. He made everything right, he showed me no matter what you go through in life, no matter what the obstacles are, it will take time, you will heal, but you'll be okay in the end.76