Awsten's POV

Gracie died that morning.

She looked so innocent and young. Clear skin, full lips and closed eyes. She was just sleeping. But she wasn't. There was no rosy tint in her cheeks. No warmth in her hand. There was no soul or life. There was nothing.

As the machine let out one long note my mom broke down. I watched as her body became hunched over and she seemed to shrink into herself. Tears ran down her face and splashed onto the floor.

Doctors came and pulled a sheet over my sister, covering up her blonde hair before wheeling her away leaving us with an empty room and black hole inside us. I didn't move. I couldn't. If my mom hadn't been crying I would've laughed. It just didn't seem real. She's gone.

Geoff wrapped an arm around me and leaned his head on my shoulder, crying softly. I tried to comfort him but I was frozen, I couldn't even cry.

Dark skies swallowed every last bit of blue and grey clouds shook, threatening to burst any second. "Gracie it looks like it's about to rain, do you want to go home?" I asked my sister.

She laughed and shook her head, blonde hair billowing out behind her as she flew towards the sky. "Nope, it's fun swinging in the rain. Come on, swing with me!" Her childish charm and carefree smile lifted my dampened mood and I pushed off, trying desperately to catch up with her height. Once we were in time it was just a matter of keeping the same pace.

"That's it, you're getting it." Gracie kicked her legs happily and swung back. We swung for a few more seconds until something cold and wet dripped down my back.

"Argh!" A strange high pitched squeal lept from my mouth and I almost lost my grip on the chains. The raindrop dripped down my back and I shivered. "You ok there Aws?"

"No! I just got attacked!" I shrieked.

"By what?" She asked, suddenly concerned.

"A FUCKING RAINDROP!" My sister's concerned look disappeared and she tried hard to stifle a snigger. "It's just a bit of water, water never hurt anyone."

"Tell that to the people that drown in puddles." I muttered as the light shower got heavier. "Shut up Awsten just enjoy it! It's a little bit of rain but who cares? We're outside doing the best thing ever and I'm with the best brother ever!" Gracie said, slowing down slightly.

"True but I have a better idea." I had a lightbulb moment.

"What is it?" I slowed down and stopped waiting for her to join me before I told her. "Let's go drag Otto and Patty out here. Maybe Jawn will come too." I winked at her and laughed when she blushed. "Shut up." Gracie mumbled, hiding her face in her hands.

"Aww does little Gracie have a crush?" I teased. I knew she liked Jawn but it would never work. He's with someone else.

"Yeah ok let's go get your boyfriend. And Patty too." Gracie said, hopping off the swing. I just rolled my eyes and ruffled her hair. "You're just jealous I've got a hot boyfriend and you don't." I stuck my tongue out at her. "Oh please, Patty is not that hot." I gasped and placed my hand over my heart. "I'm incredibly offended. How dare you! Patty Walters is adorable and hot as Hell so back the fuck off my man."

"Don't worry, you can have him." I got annoyed and started a poke war all the way to Otto's house. We were both a giggling, sore mess by the time we arrived, out of breath and struggling to stay upright. "What's up with you two?" Otto asked as he opened the door.

"She started it." We both said. "Wait 'She'?" Gracie just nodded and laughed. "Yup you're a girl. Always have been. Did you not know?"

"No I didn't. My penis kinda got in the way of my apparent vagina." I retorted. "Who's got a vagina?" A familiar voice asked from behind Otto's hair. "Apparently I do." I told my boyfriend, grinning as he pushed past Otto and wrapped an arm around my waist.

"I didn't know they looked like that. I guess I have one too as it looks very similar to yours." Patty said. "Yeah but mine's bigger so..." I trailed off. "Ha yeah right. I can guarantee it's really not."

"Babe! You're not supposed to tell them that!" I stuck out my bottom lip and glared at him. "Sorry Aws but my Mom always told me not to lie, it's a sin and lying makes you go to Hell. These lips only speak the truth."

"Then give me a those lips and with them teach me not to sin." That was the most poetic thing to ever leave my mouth.

"Cheesy but I will. Everyone deserves to go to Heaven." Patty half quoted.

"Give me a boost over Heaven's Gate." I whispered, pressing my lips firmly to his and winding my short fingers into his soft locks. "Ew to much PDA. There are children present and public affection sends you straight to the Devil!" Gracie joked, shielding her eyes.

"I'm fine with that as long as I'm with you." I murmered against his lips. He laughed and snuggled into me, kissing my neck softly. "Love you too Aws."

"Anyway, after the cute gay shit has stopped, are you guys gonna come inside?" I pulled away and looked up. "No, don't really need to. It's stopped raining."

"Yay!" Gracie cheered doing her little happy dance. Otto and Patty joined in while I stood looking up. Sunlight struggled to push through but it eventually grew stronger and managed to partially part the clouds. Eventually the grey was gone, the deep blue which I had fallen in love with returned and there was hope. Always hope.

I watched my mother stand up and walk away without so much as a look in my direction. "This is your fault. You didn't look after her properly." She said, then she left.

I swallowed and nodded. I knew it. I fucked up everything. I couldn't do anything right couldn't even keep my own sister alone. I remembered the feeling of her hand in mine, warm skin gradually becoming colder. The long, slow note as she flatlined, as she breathed her last breath and closed her eyes; never to open them again.

Geoff's sobs became quieter, his head became heavier on my shoulder and he started to snore. His arms were still around me but he snuggled closer. I pulled him into me even more trying to give him as much body heat as possible so I can at least keep him warm, keep him alive.

Outside it was raining. There was no deep blue. No sunshine. No hope.