Chapter 3- Aliya

Aliya

June 14, 2014

Santa Rosa, CA, USA

   I hear my phone ring. It has been ringing a lot lately today ever since we all found out about Francisco's death.

   Gabriel called me again a couple hours after he called me with the horrible news. He told me that the funeral is set for June 28 in Northboro, Massachusetts. That is where Francisco moved to when Joaquin moved to Sacramento, California. I moved here, but in a better neighborhood.

   I was eleven while Joaquin was twelve and Francisco was thirteen. Joaquin's parents lost their jobs. They had family in Sacramento that owned a motel that was and still is doing well. They offered his parents jobs there and so that is why they left. My parents were already looking at other houses in Santa Rosa at the time. Francisco's parents wanted to live on the East Coast for some reason and they miraculously found a home in Northboro. So we all moved away.

   It was really hard to say goodbye. I mean I knew that I would see them again and come visit, but I was so used to seeing them every day that it took a lot of time for me to finally get used to being away from them. We have visited a lot over the years. We all Skype and text, so it's all okay.

   I look at my phone to see who's calling. It's Joaquin. I'm surprised that he didn't call me earlier, but I understand that he probably had to take some time to sink this in. It still hasn't completely sunk into me.

   "Hey." I answer.

   "Hey, Aliya." he says. We both stay silent for a few seconds unsure of what to say.

   "How are you?" he decides to ask. I can hear the pain in his voice. I wonder if I still have the same pain in mine.

   "I'm alright, and you?" I say.

   "Same. Hey, my parents are on the phone with yours as we speak to talk about us visiting tomorrow." I get off my bed and walk to my door and open it. I do hear my parents on the phone talking with them. I quickly close the door and get back onto my bed.

   "Really?!" I smile. This is the first time I've smiled ever since the news. This is just what I need, a visit from Joaquin.

    "Yeah! And it sounds like your parents are okay with it." he sounds happy too.

   "Yay! I can't wait to see you! I haven't seen you since Spring Break!"

   "I know! It's been too long!"

   "Yay!"

   "You know, this is the first time I've smiled today."

   "Me too." I confess.

   "I'll miss him. He was our big brother. He was always there for us. I can't believe it happened."

   "I know, me too. I mean, Fernando helped me with so many things. You both have."

   "He helped me too. I just can't picture him gone. Half of me believes it and half of me doesn't. I want to think this is a huge joke that was Francisco's idea, but he wouldn't go this far."

   "I thought it was a joke at first too, but Gabriel sounded so bad."

   "Exactly. Where were you when he called?"

   "I was with Jose at my old middle school, and you?"

   "I was at my mom's friend's baby shower. Not the best timing. I'm glad that you were with someone you care about for that."

   "Joaquin, I broke up with him. He was being an a*****e. He wasn't sympathetic at all. That's when I realized that he isn't a good person, especially for me."

   "Thank God! All of us saw that, Aliya."

   "Really?! Why didn't anyone tell me?"

   "We didn't want to hurt you. I know that if we would've told you that you would be freaked out."

   "True, true, but I'm glad that I know now."

   We talked some more and then hung up. My parents then told me that they're coming tomorrow afternoon to discuss what we're going to do regarding traveling to the funeral and to visit us.

   I'm glad that Joaquin's coming. I need a true friend right now.