Nate hasn't spoken to me since the article came out four days ago and I miss my brother talking to me.

I walk into Aleysa's room and look at the pamphlet of Camp Tranquillity one last time.

This place might be what I need right now. I need to get away from everything happening in Los Angeles.

Jai walks into the room and he sits next to me. "The limo is here. My family and I want to ride with you to the funeral home."

"I was thinking that I would drive myself. I don't want to be near Nate right now. Can you please take care of him?"

Jai rises. "I will." He walks out of the room.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and give Camp Tranquility a call.

Hanging up the phone I walk to Jai and my bedroom. I pack a duffel bag and my mother's diary. I put in the laptop that Jai brought me recently.

There's a notepad on the nightstand and I pick up a pen and start writing a letter to Jai and letting him know where I'm going.

I know he's not going to be happy with me just taking off, but I hope he respects my decision.

I need to get going to the funeral.

Picking up the duffel bag I walk to the front door and lock it before walking to the car.

A few reporters block my way and they yell things at me.

I try to ignore everything they say, but it becomes too much when they flock you. "Excuse me. I need to get to my car." I open the backseat and throw the duffel bag in the back. I climb into the driver's seat and reverse the car.

***

If I thought my house was a madhouse with the reporters my sisters funeral is a lot worse. There are different cars parked in the street and when I park the car they surround the car.

How am I supposed to get out of the car with all these people around me?

My phone starts ringing and I look at the caller ID and see 'Jai's' name flash across the phone. I put the phone on loudspeaker.

I put the phone back in my handbag and step out of the car once the crowd has been pulled away from the car.

"Whore," someone yells and a roll of toilet paper is thrown at me.

A few other choice words are thrown at me by other females as I make my way to the last place I will see my sister. After this service, I will be gone.

All these women won't have anyone to hate while I'm away.

Jai walks over to me. He wraps his arms around me and he looks into the crowd. "All of you have been given the wrong information. I was never engaged to marry anyone before I met Chloe." He looks at me. "The woman standing next to me means the world to me and you keep wanting to bring her down because of some jealous female that wanted me for herself. It's because of her that my beautiful kind fiancé isn't looking the best. I haven't had any problems with you in my life and since you've started listening to lies, it's become a problem. I will be suing all your companies and a selected few women who violated my personal life. Recently I had an investigation conducted on the source for your information. I can tell you the person wasn't smart enough to cover their tracks. I have a funeral to get to. If you all aren't gone soon the authorities will remove you." He walks with me into the small room where my sister's body lies in a coffin.

I look at the brown wooden coffin in front of me.

She's close, but yet far away.

I walk to the front of the room and sit next to Jai.

Jai takes my hand as the priest walks over to the podium. He looks at us. "We meet here today to honour and pay tribute to the life of Aleysa Knight, and to express our love and admiration for her." He stops for a second. "I'm going to start off with a quote.

BE WHO YOU ARE

and say what you feel,

because those who mind

DON'T MATTER,

and those who matter

DON'T MIND."

He looks at me. "Chloe would like to say a few words."

I rise and walk over to the podium. "I remember when Mom and Dad brought Aleysa home from the hospital. I thought she was the cutest thing ever. As I grew up I wanted to take my sister to the park, but every time I went there with people would give me disgusted looks. At first, I didn't realise that the dirty looks they were giving me were because I had a child at such a young age." I look at the casket. "A woman was telling me how I shouldn't be showing off a child at the park and that day I snapped and caught the attention of all the mothers there. I said. "She's not my bloody kid. She's my little sister. 'If you have a problem with me bringing my sister to the park feel free to F off.' I saw a girl about the same age as me. She walked over to me and she told me her story and how she got pregnant at a young age. By the time she was finished, she was grateful that she had someone to talk to. Even though I was a stranger. I saw her around school a lot after that. She got straight A's and got into a great University." I take a breath. "I know the ending of the story didn't have anything to do with my sister, but she was there during that time. I will never forget the time I had with my sister. It was something special and I will cherish for the rest of my life. I love you, Aleysa. You will be in my heart forever." I choke out the last words and Jai rises.

He moves towards me and helps me down the stairs.

Nate walks over to the podium and he looks into the small group of people here. He doesn't make eye contact with me as he continues to talk about her.

A few tears fall down my face and Jai pulls me into his arms. Loud, heartbreaking sobs wrack my body.

Nate finishes his speech and he sits at the other end of the row.

Other people walk to the podium and they say nice things about Aleysa.

The priest looks at everyone. "You may drop off a flower."

People start walking up to the coffin and they place a white rose on it. Some of them whisper something to her.

Nate and Jai go up next and they say something that I can't make out to her.

I'm the last person to go up. I pick up a white rose. I place it on the coffin. "Rest In Peace, sis." I touch it and then say. "It should be me in there instead of you."

Arms wrap around my waist. "Don't you ever say that again, Chloe? No one wants you gone. You're where you're supposed to be."

I close my eyes.

It doesn't feel like it at the moment.

When I've settled down Jai lets me go. "They're taking her to the cemetery now. I will meet you there." He walks towards the door. He turns towards me. "Unless you want me to come with you?"

Shaking my head, I say. "I will meet you there." I follow him outside and climb into the sports car. I wait until the limo is out of my line of vision before heading in the opposite direction.

***