•| ⊱✿⊰ |•
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 saying, 'everything happens for a reason'? Whether that reason is taken to mean final or efficient cause, the psychological effect of saying 'Everything happens for a reason' is the same. At the emotional level it means 'surrender', 'relax', 'it's beyond your control'. Accept things as they are because they happen for a reason.

There was a man, he was close to his seventies, homeless. A US Veteran, most likely — they didn't really say. He lived in New York City, managed to become breaking news from not being the typical homeless man people usually expected, such as begging for money and food on the streets. Instead, he spent his time explaining to civilians why 'everything happens for a reason'. It was strange, no one understood why he did this. He explained that he needed people to know that was why he survived Vietnam, because it was God's will. It happened for a reason, just like the reason he lost his home and everything he held dear to a house fire. 'It happened for a reason', he had said to the reporter.

Liz Chambers thought he was right at the time when she saw him on the nine o'clock news. That things really did happen for a reason, that it was Gods plan. She figured her losing the track meet to St. Joesph for the first time two weeks prior was for a reason. That her failing her math test, again, was for a reason. Or that her sister going two months without speaking to their parents was because of a reason. She accepted these 'reasons' for what they were. Did they suck? Sure they did. Could she do anything about them? No. No, she couldn't.

Thinking back, she thought the man was explaining something that was common sense. Everyone should know that things may not always turn out the way you want them too. But now, after the tragic events that occurred on November 5th, 2004, Liz Chambers couldn't think of nothing but how much she wanted to find that man and tell him how wrong he was. How the whole 'everything happened for a reason' bullshit was just simply that. Bullshit.

By him saying that, he was basically saying how those 18 citizens who died on that highway in Seattle in a massive pile up, basically 'happened' for a reason. He was saying how her parents, those seven men, those eight women, and those three innocent kids died for a reason, leaving Liz one out of the two of the only survivors from the crash.

Reporters, cops, civilians - they said it was a miracle she made it out of there alive. Fuck miracles. There was no such thing. If anything, it was a curse. A curse for which Liz was forced to endure every time she shut her eyes as her mother fought for her to get free from the seat belt after their car was flipped and laying upside down. Her mother who couldn't wake her father whose unconscious body was hand halfway outside the front windshield. How her mother couldn't seem to get her own seat belt off, but had managed to reach in the back and unstrap her daughters. Liz, who was slipping in and out of consciousness so much that she could barely understand her mother trying to tell her to get out of the car.

      What she didn't understand was how her mother was screaming, basically demanding for 'him' to help her daughter. Liz had seen a figure, a shadow really, but was so out of it she just couldn't function or comprehend what exactly she was seeing. She had no idea who her mother was talking to, but knew that there was someone there because next thing she knew, she could feel herself being lifted into the air. She was cold, scared and didn't know what was happening around her. Next thing she knew, a loud explosion went off and her eyes finally opened, only long enough to see she was about ten feet from the wreckage on the far side of the road. Two of the vehicles blew up, the one included the familiar white Honda that was registered under her father's name. That was all she remembered before she blacked out.

Liz refuses to believe that that accident happened for a reason. That all those people who died was for a reason. That her parents deaths, was God's will. How could she? Especially when she's so certain it was her own fault. It has been two months... all Liz wanted was for this feeling to pass. That's what the doctors say, that it will pass, in due time. The blonde is terrified that that time might never come. All Liz wanted to know, is who was the person who carried her away from the car before it exploded, but didn't do the same for her parents?

"Lizzie-bear." The sound of her grandmothers soft voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Looking up at the woman who has been her rock throughout all this whole mess, she could see her worry lines on her forehead as she studied the teenager, placing both hands on her shoulder as the two stood in the airport, next to the exit where she was to board a plane to Seattle, Washington. "Did you hear what I just said?"

"Uh, no. No, sorry. What did you say?"

Vivian Fitzgerald looked at her youngest granddaughter with sad eyes, used to her spacing out like this a lot lately. It worried her more than it should but she knew better than to bring it up to the teen. "I said, when you get to Seattle, make sure you take your medicine before you even step foot into your sister's car, do you hear me? Not once your in the car, not some time after, but as soon as you land. They need to kick in before you leave the airport."

Liz closed her eyes, trying her best not to sound too irritated at her grandmothers over-protectiveness. Unfortunately, however, she couldn't exactly blame her. "I know. I will, don't worry."

"Oh Lizzie! You know better than to tell me not to worry. It only makes trying not to worry ten times harder and I end up worrying even more," Vivian rambles, dramatically. Liz shook her head, used to her grandmother overreacting to almost every little thing.

     "I promise I will take the pills before I get in the car. You honestly don't need to tell me twice."

     Vivian scoffs playfully. "Apparently I do, seeing is how I just did."

      Liz only sighs, looking down at her grandmother as everyone continued to gather onto the plane. She was so tired and if she's being honest, she didn't want to leave her grandmother. Not after everything they've been through together... not after everything she has done for her in these past two months.

      "Thanks, Nana."

     Vivian frowned in confusion at the young blonde before her. "For what, sweetie?"

     Liz's pale lips pulled into a small, tight smile. "For everything."

     Vivian's eyes softened. Reaching out, she pulled her youngest granddaughter into a tight embrace, the latter resting her head into the older woman's neck. "I love you, baby."

     "Love you too." And she truly did. Liz doesn't know where she would be if it wasn't for this gorgeous woman before her.

     "Final boarding call for Flight 547 to Seattle, Washington."

     Pulling away, Vivian tries her best to keep herself together and her worrying at bay. "You better get going. Oh, don't forget you have an appointment with the Neurologist next Friday, right after school. I explained the situation and how I'll be too busy at 'work' to come with you, and they said it's fine just as long as I fill out the paperwork, which I put in your suitcase. They said anything else, they would just call me."

      "Okay," Liz answers dryly, honestly not wanting to talk about more doctors, especially not that specific one. So instead, she just kissed her grandmother's cheek and forced a smile onto her pale pink lips.

    "Call me if you need anything." Vivian said to her, for which Liz nodded and made her way onto the plane. Taking her seat next to a young woman who was basically already knocked out, Liz straps herself in, preparing to return back home for the first time since the funeral. If she knew starting at a new school her junior year wouldn't exactly be the best thing for her mental state right now, she probably would of just stayed in California with her grandmother. However, Liz grew up in Forks, she knew everyone and they knew her. It was her home, even with the painful memories that surrounded it. Even though her grandmother was technically her 'legal guardian' named by the judge, Vivian understood her granddaughter's need to feel the comfortable familiarity of her own home. Which is why she was allowing Liz stay with her older sister, thinking that might be best for the young blonde until she graduated and goes to college.

     Going back was her only option. Besides, could she really be that cruel to leave her sister behind? Again. They needed each other now more than ever. Even if her sister doesn't see it that way.

><><><

𝐋𝐈𝐙 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐅𝐅 about an hour ago, only to be jolted awake by a stewardess who informed her that they would be landing and that she needed to put her seat belt on. Once she did as she was told, it wasn't long before the plane started descending from the sky and they land safe and sound at their destination. The gentleman from the next row was kind enough to let her get out first before he slip behind her with his two young daughters. The blonde could feel her legs shaking as she walked closer and closer to the exit, the injury from her knee definitely not helping with her nerves.

One of the many things Liz has always loved about Washington, mainly Forks to be exact, is that chivalry was never dead. You would always find these kind, generous souls in not just the small town but also in the state in general. Which is why when the woman carrying her baby took her time to hold the door open for a limping blonde teenager, sort of made Liz's shitty day brighten up just a tad.

Liz hardly had time to set her shoulder bag down and look around before the familiar sound of her sister's voice had her looking to her right, only to see Ester waving her hand anxiously in the air, standing next to her very tall, very large boyfriend. Sorry, fiance. Liz still couldn't believe they were getting married, even if it has been almost a year since they've gotten engaged. They were supposed to get married in December, but because of the accident, they had to postpone it until further notice.

"Liz!" Ester called out again, for which the younger blonde inhaled a deep breath, making her way over towards her older sister and relaxing it on the way. Liz didn't have time to say anything before Ester embraced her. Liz, who has received too many hugs to last a life time, tried her best to return the gesture, but only found herself simply patting her back awkwardly before pulling away. It wasn't meant to be so hostile, but the look that flashed across Ester Chambers' face said that she was a little hurt, but Liz forced herself not feel guilty, because she has nothing to feel guilty for. Well... towards her sister that is.

"I-I'm so glad your back," Ester says, trying to brush off the awkward exchange that just occurred. "It hasn't been the same around here without you."

"Yeah, I guess it's good to be back." Liz nods, before turning to the taller man beside his sister, the corner of her lips tugging upwards barely. "Hey, Danny."

The older man returned the smile at the blonde before him. "Hey Liz. It's good to see you again."

"You too." Liz has never really had a problem with Daniel Black. He had always been very kind towards her, was always helping her out whenever her bike would break down and would fix it for free; something she was very grateful for. He always tried to make her feel included, and he was smart enough to know better than to get involved when it came to the situation between Liz and Ester. Family drama... not something you wanna get in the middle of. "Um, we should probably go get my things."

     Ester and Danny both nodded, the two following the girl towards the luggage claim where they grabbed her bags before heading towards Danny's large, Toyota truck. Liz took a moment, reaching into her bag and pulling out the prescription bottle of Xanax, her grandmothers voice echoing in her head about taking the pills before getting into the vehicle. But if she was being honest with herself, she really didn't need her grandmothers reminder. No, just one look out onto the roads, that was all the reminding she needed to pop the pills in her mouth, taking them down with the bottle of Iced Tea in the side pocket of her backpack.

The entire car ride was spent with Liz in sort of a dazed like mode. She sat in the back, headphones in her ears, volume on high so she could block out the noise of the traffic, her eyes drooping, the feeling of relaxation consumes her. Ever since the accident, Liz can't seemed to get onto a highway without having a full blow panic attack. If it's small drives, like on the main roads where she's not going as far, she's fine. But if she is ever on the highway, it never ends good. It was why one of her many doctors prescribed her the medication. Granted she is never allowed to drive on her own while under the medication, but she was more than okay with that. Just as long as she is barely conscious to understand what's going on around her.

It seemed Liz had dosed off, because once again, she found herself being shaken awake. This time, it was a little harder seeing is how the meds kept her asleep, but when she finally woke, she was in a daze. Ester tried helping her out, but Liz brushed off her help, managing to shake off the daze enough to gain her balance, grateful that Danny was already bringing in her bags.

"Liz, how many of those pills did you take?" Ester asked, for which the younger blonde shook her head.

"One, just like it says to. I'll be fine, it doesn't last long. It just makes me very tired," Liz explained, a yawn escaping her lips.

Ester still looked a little worried, but thought it be best to keep her mouth shut on the manner. "Come on, I'll show you to your room."

Liz followed behind the two into their two story sunset yellow house, a home for which Danny had paid most for but was more in their prize range. It was close to the reservation, but that was probably better for Danny seeing is how he grew up there and this way he could work at his shop and help his little brother take care of their father when needed. It made Liz think about her home, that was two miles away from here. She hasn't been in there since she left for California and to be honest, she was sort of grateful she would never have to. She does feel guilty Ester had to deal with packing up their parents things by herself, but they both knew Liz wouldn't of been able to handle it from the state she was in. Besides, it was the least Ester could do, after everything.

Now don't get her wrong, Liz loves her sister with all her heart. Always looked up to her as she has always been the 'cool older sister' with unbelievable beauty and was always self driven. Truthfully, Liz used to be a little envious of her. Ester was going somewhere. Unlike Liz, Ester had the brains that could of gotten her into a really great college, like Harvard or Stanford. She even got a scholarship to both of those schools and three others she had applied too. Her parents were so proud, bragging how their daughter was going to do amazing things and get out of this town. It's all Robert and Lori Chambers wanted for their daughters, to make their own lives more grand and wonderful like they deserved.

However, Ester's senior year changed when she started dating Daniel Black. Daniel happened to be two years older, sort of had a bad guy rep in the past but seems to have grown out of it after high school. He had always been a great kid despite his rebellious stage. Her parents knew Billy Black, Daniel's father. They were a good family, who had a hard past with Daniel's mother dying and his father getting into the accident that had crippled him. Robert and Lori did not oppose of them dating. It was when Ester announced that she wasn't going to college is when the real problem began.

To say her parents were furious would be the biggest understatement of the century. Robert threw a major fit, demanded that Ester was going to college and was not losing this one chance to make a better life for herself. Lori, almost as angry as her husband, tried to be more rational seeing is how she has always been the calmer one between the two. But she still couldn't understand why her daughter would want to ruin such a great opportunity and not use her smarts to excel in life.

They immediately blamed Danny for this. They started making assumptions about how he was the one who convinced Ester not to go, how he was the one keeping her from going. Robert than started to demand that she break up with him, for which Ester refused and than started a loud screaming match between the two that ended with Liz holding her mother as she sob in her arms and Ester storming out of the house with a suitcase in her hands, her father refusing to do anything to stop her.

It was hard to think that was just two years ago. Ester moved in with Danny and his family before they managed to get their own place. After a few months, Ester and Lori reconnected and the former had decided that she would go to college, but it would be at the Community College in Seattle. She was going there to study to be a nurse, while also paying for her rent and student loans by working two jobs as a waitress at the Forks Diner and as a clerk at the movie theater in Port Angeles. It may not be what she wanted, but Lori was just happy she wasn't throwing her life away. Robert, on the other hand, still blamed Danny for all this, even though it was her decision.

Liz never understood why Ester just suddenly refused to go to college, and to be honest, she didn't really care all that much. Ester was never really one to talk about her future, but Liz just figured it was her future to worry about and that she agreed, her parents were just over reacting. Unfortunately, this left a strain in the once close father and daughter relationship. Both Robert and Ester tried to be civil whenever she would come for dinner to spend time with her mother and little sister, it worked for a few months and soon, they finally manage to be a family again. That was until Ester announced her and Danny's engagement, after keeping it a secret from her parents for almost seven months. Robert seemed to have lost it after that. He thought Danny was some punk ass kid who corrupted his daughter. The fight ended with Ester saying how she refuses for him to come to the wedding and how Billy already agreed that he would walk her down the isle.

That seem to break the tie between them completely which resulted in ultimate resentment and a two month silent treatment on Ester's part. Liz understood why she was upset with him, Liz was too because he was over the line. However, what Ester didn't know, was how much Robert regretted being so hostile towards his daughter and wanted to make things right. But Ester never gave him the chance. For two months, she shut him out, and because her mother was always trying to speak for him, Ester shut her out too.

Again, Liz tried not to get involved, but it was hard not too, seeing is how Ester only made time for her sister and not their parents. It was only when the accident occurred was when Ester started to give a shit again. It was when she started going on and on about how she should of been there, how she should of forgiven her father, how she shouldn't of shut down her mother. That was when the anger formed inside Liz's chest and her own resentment occurred towards the oldest Chambers' child. She was angry. Angry that her sister froze her parents out. Angry how she refused to work things out with their father when she had the chance. Angry how she basically pushed them both away, leaving Liz in the middle.

Liz knew it wasn't all Ester's fault. She gets it, she really does. But a part of her - the part that won't shut up every time Ester even mentions their parents - can't help but get upset with her for not forgiving and forgetting like she should of. That is when Liz thinks back to how she kept herself out of it, when maybe she should of done more to convince Ester to talk to them. At the time, Liz was just afraid if she did that, Ester would shut her out too.

It was two sided, Liz knew this. She just can't help the feeling that she lost more than her parents that day. She lost a sister too, even if she was standing right next to her.

     "Liz?" Ester's voice snapped the girl out of her thoughts, the older Chambers sister looking back at Liz who had froze at the stairs. "Is it your knee? I thought Nana said you could go up and down stairs now? That it was good for your physical therapy?"

     "Oh uh..." Liz mumbled, shaking her head out of her thoughts, the daze of the pills still getting to her a bit. "No, it's fine. I'm just still really tired, is all."

     Nodding, Ester continued up the stairs as Liz followed, taking her sweet time, going nice and steady, gripping onto the railing tightly for support. When she reached the top, they led her to their usual guest room, the room Liz would stay in whenever she used to spend the night. But when she walked in, the usually dull and plain room that Ester kept was completely decorated. The once white walls were now painted Liz's favorite color, sunset orange. The queen sized bed was moved to the middle against the back wall and the once grey bed spread was replaced with a beautiful white one with light orange flowers along the streams. A night stand to the right of her bed, with the same lamp she had back in her old room. A desk sat across from the bed, and her closet on the right side.

     Liz almost forgot how large the windows were, but they only made the room more gorgeous, especially with the white curtains. Danny had placed her suitcases on the ground, watching as Liz examined the room, her eyes brightening just a little in admiration. She had always wanted to paint her walls this color, but her parents always said that it wouldn't go good with the color theme of the house. They were always a bit controlling.

     Ester watched behind with excitement in her eyes as her sister admires the room, she was basically dancing on her toes. "So? What do you think?"

    Liz's examined the room once again, her eyes widened as the first genuine smile spread across her lips since she's been back. "This... this is amazing. How did you-" Liz cut herself off as she looks out at the freshly painted white closet, too stunned by the decor to finish. Thankfully, Ester understood what she was trying to ask, smiling widely as Danny went to stand by her side.

     "I remember you begging mom for months to paint your room this weird orange color. Still don't know why you like it so much, but I got the idea while you were gone and just got to work. Danny built that desk from scratch, by the way. It's something new he's been trying," the oldest Chambers sister rambles, looking up at her fiancé who only chuckled at her hyperactive ways. "I thought, with everything you've been through, that you deserved something nice and freshly new. Something to brighten up your day."

     Liz's eyes scanned the room, never truly realizing how beautiful this color was until she saw it up close. The desk does look freshly cut, white oak if she's not mistaken. "Es... this-this is perfect. Thank you." And for the first time since she's been back, she actually gave her sister a genuine hug, and meant it this time. It wasn't much, but it was something. And it was definitely a step forward.

    "I'm so glad you like it," Ester said, taking the first actual hug she got from her little sister in what felt like forever. "Oh, and I know you were supposed to start school tomorrow, but Danny and I talked and if your not feeling up for it, you don't have to go. You've already missed a month, I'm sure they won't care about one more day."

     The young blonde chuckles, brushing her curly hair behind her ear, shaking her head. "No. I-I want to go. To get it over with, you know? Rip off the bandage."

     Ester smiled, rubbing her hand. "Okay. Um, I'm gonna go get dinner ready. It's just chicken stir-fry, so I hope your hungry."

    "Shout if you need anything," Danny adds, both turning to leave, but the older man stopped. "Oh, before I forget." Reaching into his pocket and pulling out what looks to be an envelope. "I was told to give you this."

    Liz frowned, taking the white envelope that had her name written in sloppy handwriting on the top. "What's this?"

     Danny shrugged. "Not entirely sure. Paul just asked me to give it to you."

     With that said, he went to join his fiancé down stairs, leaving behind the fragile seventeen year old girl who was left frozen in disbelief by his word. "Paul asked me to give it to you." She stared so hard at the letter, that if it were possible, it would of caught on fire. Hatred, anger, and sadness filled her emotions to the point she wanted to scream. But instead, she kept her composer, took a deep breath and tore this supposed 'letter' to shreds and trashing it with the rest of the things that reminded her of her former best friend.

__________________________________________

- FIRST CHAPTER!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT.

- I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE FIRST PARAGRAPH DESCRIBING THE 'EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON' WAS NOT FROM MY WORDS BUT SOMETHING I TOOK FROM AN ARTICLE I FOUND. I JUST THOUGHT IT SUMMED UP THE REASONING PERFECTLY. THE REST AFTER THAT PARAGRAPH WAS ALL ME.

- JUST TO SUM UP, LIZ WAS INVOLVED IN A HORRIBLE HIGHWAY ACCIDENT THAT KILLED A LOT OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING HER PARENTS. LIZ WAS THE ONE OUT OF TWO SURVIVORS WHO MANAGED TO ESCAPE THE ACCIDENT ALIVE.

- WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF ESTER AND THE SITUATION WITH HER PARENTS RELATIONSHIP?

- DANNY MAY NOT HAVE HAD MUCH LINES, BUT THAT'S ONLY CAUSE HE ISN'T THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO TALKS TOO MUCH. HE IS A VERY IMPORTANT CHARACTER SO GIVE HIM LOTS OF LOVE.

- VOTE, COMMENT, & SHARE!!!

- IDEA PICTURE OF LIZ'S ROOM (IMAGINE CURTAINS ON THE WINDOWS)👇🏻