Free In Memory by CJ Lyons Page A

               I had twice as much lunch and no one to share it with
    3.                When he’s not at school, he always returns with more injuries
    W alked to the Elementary School after English, a little bit annoyed at all the study questions I was required to finish for tomorrow.
    May met me on the stairs, looking intently at me with a weird appraising expression. I smiled, and held my hand out for her to take.
    “Let’s go to the park, Aerian Guildenstern.” It almost sounded more like an order than a request.
    “Sure!” I didn’t mind , I don’t have work until tomorrow. “And you can call me by my first name, you know.”
    “Just Aerian? But that’s not your full name, what if there was confusion with who I was speaking to?”
    “Um, fair point, but I’m pretty sure it’s an unusual name, so you should be safe.”
    “I concur. I’ll call you Aerian then.”
    The park wasn’t far from the school, we were there within a few minutes. She went directly to the swings, and sat down primly.
    “Where’s Carmichael today?” I asked, sitting on the swing beside her.
    “He’s using something different for a vessel today. I left his vessel at home.” She turned to me, “Now, tell me. What are you trying to accomplish by befriending my big brother?”
    “That’s kind of a confusing question. I just saw he was alone, so I thought he could use some company.”
    “No one in this town will go near him. He’s cursed. Everyone knows it.”
    Was thrown by her seriousness, smiled nervously before replying, “Well, I think I can deal with it! We’ll be good friends! Forever!” I smiled, hoping it was reassuring.
    She looked down, then looked back at me with a sad gleam in her eyes. “But… you only have 150 days left, right?”
    And then she started to cry.
    W as stunned; it took me a few seconds to regain myself before I tried to comfort her.
    “Hey, I’m not sure about- Wait, I haven’t told anyone but Ceilidh and Terra about that. How do you know about it? And my mother is dead, how do you know?” I stood in front of her swing, holding the chains, “Are you-? Can you see-?”
    She nodded, “I could see it when I touched your hand…” She took a deep breath, “He’s the reason. If you’re friends with him, you’re going to die on the 27 th of February. His curse is going to kill you.”
    G uess it’s a definite thing now. I’m going to die on that day.
     
     
    September
    /end.
     
     
    149 days, 1 October, Wednesday
    D on’t feel motivated to write today. Besides, there’s nothing terribly interesting to report anyway. It seems the only time I have anything worth writing about , it’s about Noah .
    G uess I should be mulling over the fact that he’s cursed, his sister is psychic, and I’m going to die in 149 days. Meh . I just don’t feel like thinking about it.
     
    148 Days, 2 October, Thursday
    It snowed a little today. I was pretty happy to see it. I like snow. Everything that’s unpleasant can be covered up by snow. Trash heaps and ugly vehicles, and… buildings and things…
    T hink I might be catching a cold too. My throat is all acghh .
     
    147 Days, 3 October, Friday
    S tayed home today, mostly because it was raining when I woke up, and I still feel kind of sick. This equals tea with honey. Lots of tea. Lots of fluids are good for getting rid of a cold.
    It rains really hard in this city. Like crazy pounding-against-the-window-like-a-crazed-monster rain. The whole house shakes, and I am glad for the fireplace and my huge pile of blankets. To be precise, three quilts and a throw.
    F igured my day would be best spent beside the fireplace, listening to the radio and reading. Although lately it seems I can’t write anything that’s particularly profound or interesting even. You know, like the cool existentialist stuff or the theories of writing etcetera etcetera .
    Today was my Dad’s birthday, so I’m guessing Terra’s going out with a few old