I walk into my apartment and look around at the empty living room, just a couch sits there. It had been 2 years since I moved here, since that night, and since anyone had wanted to see me. Why even bother with anything in a room meant for family and fun? My parents still blamed me for my sister's death and I don't have any friends, by choice, for the fact that everyone seemed to leave me. I walk to my room and sit down on the bed and look out the window. Had anyone been there, they would have seen the tears in my eyes. I let down my dark auburn hair, curls falling around my face and down my back. When was the last time I had my hair done? I couldn't even remember. I lay back and look up at the ceiling remembering that day 2 years ago.

Where did it all go wrong? It was supposed to be a simple party. I'd been to plenty at that point. But nothing is ever simple, and it took something so devastating to show me that. I rub my hand over my neck. I hadn't worn my locket since her funeral. Emma's hung on my wall beside mine, the only thing on any wall in this god forsaken apartment. I hated color, I hated pictures, I didn't want to see happy times with my sister, my best friend. They only made me miss her more. When it was still fresh I remember breaking all of the mirrors in my room and bathroom at home. I had broken my finger actually. I had thrown all of the pictures of the two of us around my room, screaming at God, at anyone that would listen. I was pissed. It should have been me. My parents never said anything to me about. They never yelled at me, but they never comforted me either. They didn't want me around as much as I didn't want to see myself, I reminded them of her. So I left and I never looked back, and neither have they.

Sighing I stand up and get my books and bag knowing I need to do some homework before I start my shift at the diner. This was my life now, school, home, work. I had nothing else to do, no one else to see. The only upside in this horrible mess was that I had been taking all the classes I could and was getting to graduate a year early, and I was in the home stretch now, only a week and then finals to go. I opened my British literature book. Shakespeare, I never understood why everyone loved his love stories so much.  Romeo and Juliet were children that knew each other for all of 3 days before they decided to kill themselves because they couldn't be together. And don't get me started on Hamlet and Ophelia. There was no true love, there was no happily ever after. I knew that this world was a cold dark place and nothing good was waiting for me on the other side of the rainbow. Cynical, that's what they call me now days.  I got out my laptop and started typing my paper.

After an hour, one rough draft, and some psychology homework done, I pack everything up and get it ready for tomorrow. I stop in the kitchen to get some water before walking to my room. I walk into my closet and grab a pair of me black slacks and a black button down shirt before I grab one of my ties, bright green this time, from my increasingly large tie collection. I didn't mind wearing one to work, I kind of thought I was cute. I grab my purse and apron before locking my door and walking down the stairs. When I get outside I noticed a moving truck, "yay new neighbors", I say under my breath sarcastically. I slowly walk down the few blocks to the diner.

Angie greets me from behind the counter. "Hallie, so glad you're here! We've had such a busy day." I tie my apron on and hand her my purse to put under the counter.

"You should have called! I could have come in early!" She never wanted to bother me.  Angie was the closest thing I had to a friend. She was about 15 years older than me and beautiful to boot, her father had owned the diner and gave it to her when he retired.  "Next time I think I will." She smiled, her dark brown eyes shining.

My shift passed fast because of all the costumers we had, and soon we were closing the place up. "Here honey, I know you are worn out and have class tomorrow, go on home I just need to sweep and lock up anyway." I grab my purse from her overly dried hand. "Are you sure? I don't want you to be here too late either." She waves off my request like most nights. "Go, go. I'll see you tomorrow." I wave a goodbye and head back out to walk home. I kept my head down my keys in my hand. It was nights like tonight, warm, muggy and quiet that made me the most upset. I could take the rain, but the stars shining on a warm May night, those were the worst days.

When I get into my apartment I throw my purse down and push my shoes off my feet before turning and locking my door. I fall onto my bed and sigh; sometimes I wish I had someone to talk to, a friend to hug me while I cried. I set my alarms and then curled up in a ball under my covers. I'd take a shower in the morning; I couldn't do much of anything else today. I held myself together as I cried myself to sleep.

The early morning sunlight came through my window waking me up. My alarm still hadn't gone off. Groaning I get up and stretch. Time for coffee and then off to school again. I could do this. I get dressed in jean shorts and a tank top, it was already well into the 90's and I couldn't handle being hot. I grab my big coffee mug with a top, fill it full of coffee and then grab my bag before walking down the street to the college.

Sitting through my classes always made me feel a little better, a little more normal. I could pretend I didn't cause my sister's death and that my parents hated me. No one around me knew anything about me; I was just a regular 21 year old. The boy beside me bumps my leg and brings me out of my thoughts. I look over at him and try to smile, not really sure if that is what was on my face or not. "Want to go get coffee after class?" He smiles brightly at me after asking. I drop the smile from my face. "I'm sorry I can't today, I have to go to work." He nods still smiling. "Maybe another time?" I nod back not really committing to anything but not turning him down either.

I had gone on a few dates in the last 2 years but they always end abruptly when they found out my last name. It had been all over the papers for months. "Hallie Greer, driver of the car that took her sisters life, body still missing."  I shake my head trying to get that out of it, and back on track to what the professor is saying.

Rubbing my eyes I put everything back into my bag. I hadn't gotten enough sleep and I was pretty sure I still looked like I had been crying. I stand up and slowly walk down the steps towards the door. I could feel the stiffness all over me and I was beyond ready to be back in bed, but I had to go straight to work when I got home. There was no time for a nap today.

                After opening my door I quickly change into my work clothes and check my phone to see how much time I have left. I hurry out the door bumping into someone. "I'm so sorry!" I called over my shoulder as I keep going down the hall. I hear a deep chuckle before a quiet "That's alright ma'am." I smiled as I hit the button for the bottom floor. There was one good thing about living in the south, most people were polite.  

                I sigh as I walked into the diner. Angie waves me over. "I know you are supposed to work all next week, but I'm not allowing it. You need to study." I start to protest, I couldn't pay rent without my job. "Call it vacation if you'd like, I'll still be paying you. I want you to pass your finals sweetie." I couldn't stop the tears welling in my eyes.

"Thank you Ange, thank you so much." I wrap her up in a hug and get to work.

                The night was slow and easy. Nothing exciting had happened, until right before closing. The guy that had asked me out during class, Brandon I think, walked in with a couple other guys. I walked over, a smile on my face, as I'd perfected over the last 2 years here.

"Well hi there beautiful." He says grinning at his friends. "Why don't you come sit next to me and have a break?" I shake my head, trying to remain calm.

"I'm sorry but I can't do that. I have other costumers too." He grabs my arm as I turned to go get their drinks.

"No honey, you need to stay with us." His hands are sweaty and feel gross against my skin. I pull back and drop my smile.

"No, I don't think I need to do anything." My hands start to shake and my pulse starts to race and I swear I can feel energy running through my arms, pulsing through my veins. I was about to tell him where he could stick his hand if he didn't take it off of me when Angie came over.

"I think it's time you lot get out of here." There was no trace of happiness on her face. "We don't tolerate that kind of behavior here, if you don't see yourselves out I'll have someone escort you." She glared until they all stood up and walk out. James turned and let his eyes fall over me. I felt myself shake as he plastered a sickening smile on his face. I was glad we only had one more class before the final. I didn't think I could handle seeing too much more of him.

"Thanks Ang." She nods and pulls me into her as a mother would.

 "Not a problem dear. Let's go ahead and close up." I let go of her and start cleaning up.

                Coming home to an empty house was always the worst. And after a night like tonight I just wanted someone there to feel safer. But I was alone, like normal. I showered, and did a little more homework before I got into bed. "Tomorrow is a new day." I could hear in my head. My mother used to be almost annoying with her positivity. The sun will come out tomorrow and all that jazz. But I didn't think the sun would come out tomorrow, not for me. I set my alarm and lay back in bed.  Closing my eyes at night I could always pretend this was all just a bad dream, that I hadn't killed my sister, that my parents still loved me, that I wasn't completely alone in my life.