RING!!!

The sharp echoing noise resonating around jolted me out of my half asleep state. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I looked around to find all my classmates practically rushing out of the door with no care of who they pushed or hurt. It was Lunch Time after all.

Quickly gathering my books and stationaries, I arranged them in my bag. A cough made me look up again. Miss Nicola, our maths teacher was standing with her textbook. One could hardly miss the fatigue behind those thick frames.

"Umm do you need something ma'am?", I quickly questioned fearing to have detention for nearly falling asleep in her class.

She shook her head in dejection and pointed towards the door with her hand. Her face drying up in disappointment. And maybe if I had stayed there for another minute I could have seen the lone tear escaping from her eye. But I didn't want to anger her, angering a pregnant lady might be one of the biggest crimes in the world.

I scanned the hallways, everyone was already out in the compound or in the cafeteria enjoying the lunch. I let out a small smile feeling the peaceful warm autumn breeze kiss my cheeks. Reaching my locker, I put my belongings inside before walking out to embrace the sun. Finding a corner away from the noise I sat down under the shadows of the tree. Taking a bite of my guava I watched the three birds twittering aloud a song. Their harmony was perfectly synchronised and mesmerising. I let out a little laugh when one of the birds missed a beat and tried to join the group again.

"Rose, what are you doing here all alone?" A lively voice broke the melody of nature.

Craning my head a bit, I looked up at my friend Charlotte. An amused look was planted on her face along with a half-filled milkshake in her hand.

"Nothing. Just thinking about what to post in my blog today. Are you free after school?" I asked her hoping she would be free.

She rolled her eyes at my words. Charlotte had never been an adventurer or a nature lover, unlike me. We were completely opposite of each other but somehow we managed to click. Even after not being much of a fan, she helped me in my blog everyday, starting from Day 1.

"Maybe... maybe not. I have few things to do. Why?" Charlotte was glancing away from me.

"Oh really, so how are things going with lover girl huh?" I had hardly finished the sentence when I saw her blushing bright red, like a strawberry.

"Stop it. It's nothing like that. She already has a girlfriend. Haven't I told you many times?" Charlotte tries to suppress her blush by faking annoyance.

"So what?" I asked, facing the school building, already knowing the answer.

"Let's be honest. Who in their sane mind would want their crush to break up with their partner for his or her own happiness? Moreover, there is not even a guarantee she is the right one for me. I am happy to admire her from afar this last year." Charlotte says with admiration in her eyes.

Letting out a soft smile, I looked back at the glint in her eyes. That's what I loved about Charlotte. She looked at the world in a whole different view. She was selfless unlike me. I couldn't give away what was the most precious to me. At times, I would get jealous of her qualities but each of us are made differently for a reason.

"So what about you? How is your grandpa doing? Heard he managed to cause a little kitchen accident again." Charlotte asked with a mischievous smile on her face.

"Ugh... Don't even ask. My old champ doesn't understand why it's required to close the lid of the mixer grinder. You would not believe how many times I tried to explain to him. It took two days to finally clean every inch of the kitc-", before I could finish my sentence, a throaty laugh interrupted me.

"Stop laughing Char bear, it's not that funny", I said looking at her but I couldn't help but join in after a while.

"Well it is in a way if you think Thorny." Charlotte said stressing on the last word.

"Hey! You promised you won't call me that ever again." I said while crossing my arms and feigning being offended.

"Well if you keep calling me Char Bear I have to return the favor, don't I?" She let out a smirk.

"Yeah yeah. Have fun laughing at my misery. I will see you soon at your downfall." Pretending to be sad, I watched her reaction. It was hard to press down the laugh bubbling to escape my lips. She looked genuinely shocked and sorry even if I did this almost everyday to her.

Maybe the laugh would have escaped if not for the loud screams of the students. Whipping my head towards the direction I looked at the huge crowd forming, people looking above at the small figure standing on top of the terrace.

My face paled as I walked closer. My shaky limbs could hardly support my body. My shivering body rooted to the spot as soon as I recognized the figure.

No, my mind cried. No no no no... this couldn't be happening. No. No. Why? Oh god why?

"LEXI!" I shouted trying to grab her attention.

"Please Lexi. No! What... Why? Why are you there? Come down sis...I'm right here." But all my words seemed to be unheard by Lexi.

"Lexi please walk down from there. You will fall off! Lexi!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

My words didn't reach her ears. I barely registered Charlotte telling me she was going on the terrace to stop her. Tears welded against the corner of my eyes.

"Lex sweety, talk to me. Tell your sister what's wrong." My voice choked as tears welled up.

Lexi looked at me, but only for a split second. And the gaze she had, sent a shiver down my spine. It was blank. No life in those beautiful hazel eyes.

"Lexi! No! Don't! Don't do anything. You have your dream to fulfill. You want to be a singer. Whatever problem you are facing, we'll solve it. You are my strong sister sweety. Please listen to me. Please. Lexi!" Through my hazy eyes, I could see a lone tear escaping from Lexi's eyes..

"Lexi! Everything is going to be okay. Please get off from there. Please." My heart was hoping that if I keep on talking, she will not do anything drastic. But the only reaction I got from her was another step. She took another step closer to the edge.

No. No. NO. Damn it. I can't lose her. I can't lose my only sister. No!

Pushing myself with all my strength, I rushed towards the stairs as I heard Charlotte calling Lexi's name. I was about to step on the stairs when a thud broke my heart into smithereens.

No. No. No. This is not happening.

I turned around fearing the worst. I looked up. No sign of Lexi. As my afraid eyes wander down, the view jolted me back. She was lying there. In a pool of blood.

"Lexi!" I ran towards her still breathing body.

Taking her little body in my arms, I tried to keep her awake.

"Lex! Lex! Wake up sweety. Stay awake. Nothing has happened to you. You are going to be okay. I will not let you go. Do you hear me? Don't you dare leave me alone! You need doctors... Am... Ambulance. Anyone please call cab. Help me please." I screamed out loud.

"Lex! Stay with me. You are absolutely fine. Don't... don't close your eyes. Anyone! Help! Please!" A school guard came running towards us.

"Cab has arrived. Hurry up!" He cleared the crowd and made way for us.

"Thank... thank you. Lex! Don't worry. Your Rosie will save you." Carrying my little sister's in my arms, I rushed towards the cab.

The driver was waiting for us. As soon as we reached, he opened the door letting us enter the cab

"Hurry up! Hospital! Fast!" One of our teachers came running, closed the cab's door and sat beside the driver asking to drive towards the hospital.

"Nothing will happen to you. Please God, save her. Save my sister. Please." I kept on praying as the cab hit the road.

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