I hate how people can just go back to their normal lives in a blink of an eye. Don't get me wrong, everyone was grateful to be relieved of Chips. The name Autumn Morales has floated through the hallways at school, and down sidewalks, and across parks.

Every time I hear the name, my heart shatters even more. Just about everyone has been informed of her sacrifice, of how she gave up her life for the greater good. How she killed my father by electrocution.

After Autumn's bravery, and stupidity for leaving Teresa's house, I was reunited with my mother. She tried to help Autumn. She wanted her alive. She even armed her with a gun.

My mother isn't a horrible person. In fact, she's aimed to get the government back on track, for it to be about the people. My father's rules and regulations died with him, and that almost makes me smile. Almost.

I miss her so much. She's constantly on my mind, a lingering presence that I sometimes swear is tangible. To be honest, I was falling in love with her. I had just gathered the courage to ask her out, for crying out loud!

But the world is cruel, and it ripped her away from me.

Eva reasons that she's not gone. After all, her body was never recovered. She says it was still there before Jared and her fled the scene. She still regrets leaving her, by the way. She sobbed by Autumn's side until she was forcefully removed by Jared, who knew they had to leave.

Some say her body disintegrated. Maybe someone stole it. I'm not sure, but I don't really care. It just means she won't receive the proper burial she deserves.

A tear slides down my cheek as I stare at the ceiling of my room. When I'm not at school, I'm usually here. It just hurts too much. Everything reminds me of her. Of the fact that she's gone, and she'll never get to witness the freedom she caused.

I told her that she could change the world, and she did. However, I never predicted it would end like this. I never wanted it too. I mean, maybe when I was just some stupid teen who thought she had the answers I needed. Before I attached feelings to her, when I just wanted to get rid of my parents and Chips.

But now, everything has changed.

Tomorrow is, or would be, her birthday. Well, I'm going to settle with it is. Because, as long as I live, I will never forget her. December 7th will always be a day dedicated to remembering the girl I love.

Yeah, present tense. Sue me.

She would've been sixteen. I would've thrown her the most elaborate party I could. The cake would have been rich and the party decorated with vivid colors. And, knowing she loved poetry, I would've attempted to write her a poem, though it would suck really badly.

I'm full on crying again, tears staining my satin pillow. My chest heaves up and down with sobs and I attempt to control my breathing. Then, once I've run out of tears, I shakily pull myself into a sitting position.

Sitting in the drawer of my bedside table is my most prized possession; Autumn's poem book. I managed to find it before we all left Teresa's house and went back to our normal lives. Only, one key element was missing: Autumn.

Sighing, I clutch the worn book to my chest. Everyday I write her a short letter. No, not a poem, because I couldn't write one to save my life. Or, well, hers. If only it was that easy.

I've been attempting to muster the strength to write at my aunt's ice cream shop. You know, the one Autumn and I began meeting at all those months ago. Only, I can't even think about the place without tears pricking my eyes.

So, I lean back against my headboard, breathing heavily. I pull my knees close to my chest, resting the journal on them. Then, grabbing Autumn's pen, I flip to the next available page and begin to write, sniffling.

Dear Autumn,

Tomorrow's your birthday. You would be sixteen. I wish you were here, alive, with me. We would have a full blown celebration. I mean, not only did you save the world, but you're turning that magical number; 16. I'm not sure why it's so magical in our society, but it is.

Maybe because you're almost an adult. Maybe because it's a year of maturing. I'm not sure, but I still wish you were here to enjoy it, to live it.

A tear I didn't know I had left dampens the page, causing the ink to slightly smear.

I'll write you a poem tomorrow, I promise. I will write one on every one of your birthdays, because I feel it will be a nice tribute to you. Well, it won't be enough. Nothing will. But it's something.

I love you,

-Cody

I softly close the book, setting it back in the drawer. Then, slamming it shut, I grab the remote and let my television flicker to life.

The colors and sounds are just a blur to me. Everything is lately. I just rest my head against my stack of pillows, pulling my blankets up to my chin. I don't care what I'm watching, I just need something to take my mind off the pain, if only for a few moments.

As if the universe is vainly attempting to apologize for snatching Autumn away, Jared bursts through my door. He doesn't even bother to knock anymore.
He states that since I'm his cousin and family, this is practically his house. Therefore, he doesn't need to knock.

Whatever. I don't care. It's not like I have anything to hide, or that I'm doing anything. Well, I do have one thing to hide: writing to Autumn. He and everyone else would probably object, saying it's 'unhealthy'.

He wants me to move on. He hates seeing me so upset. But I can tell that he misses her, too. Of course, not as much as Eva and I. Plus, he barely ever flaunts his emotions. Well, neither do I, until I get home.

My cousin sighs, grabbing the remote and flopping down next to me. "I really hate seeing you like this. I don't think anyone has ever meant this much to you. Not even me."

A dry laugh escapes my lips. "You have Eva to fangirl over you."

"But she's mourning Autumn, too," he jokes. Then, he absentmindedly flips through the channels. "So, what are we doing tomorrow? My wallets open for whatever."

I shake my head. "You don't have to pay anything. And I have something special in mind," I slightly grin. Well, it's more like my lips tilt upward ever so slightly.

"We'll all pitch in. You're not the only one celebrating," he smiles, but it's forced. At least he can smile.

"Thanks, bro," I sigh.

He stops on a random sports channel, leaning back and checking his watch.

I glance at mine, yet it's pointless. I'm still going to ignore the countless notifications.

Another bright idea we all had was to leave our watches with us while on hiding. That's probably how we were found.

"I gotta go," Jared says after a while of semi-comfortable silence.

I nod, pretending to be caught up in whatever game is on. "Alright."

"I have a date with Ev, sorry I have to leave you so soon."

Pain stabs at my heart.

"Sorry, I-"

I hold up my hand to silence him. "It's cool."

He can tell by my tone that it's not, in fact, 'cool', but he bites his tongue. He knows there's no point in arguing with me, so he leaves me alone with my bitter thoughts.

-----

Awww Cody!!!! My heart.

But on the bright side, here is his POV!

TBH I totally forgot about the watches and I'm like hey let's just put in here about them being tracked by them. Yeah, totally. I need to rewrite Removed.

Thoughts? Comment! Vote! Share!

QOTD: Lets say you didn't know Autumn was alive and you were Cody's friend. What advice would you give him?

Thanks for 41 reads already!

-Sarah