"We need to get to the police station" Nan said causing everyone to rush to their cars. We left and followed each other in a line, If Hua was here he would've called us the Transformers. Oh how I pray I will be reunited with my baby boy soon.

Anxiously waiting for answers, the two families were cramped up in the waiting area for answers.

"One alive, one dead" was all that left Detective Morrisons mouth. I began weary and gripped onto Lani's hand, I could see Matt at the corner of the room, with Hoani.

"Which one is which, Sir?" There was a little boy, a little over seven who stood up and folded his scrawny arms over his chest. He must be Grace's brother. This poor boy, having to experience something like this.

I sent up a quick prayer that whichever one of the two that is in Heaven will be guided there safely and watch over us. 

Everything was in silence, I couldn't hear anything. But I saw both families in tears, but I knew that Grace's family were crying tears of joy. Everything happened so fast. But for some reason, I couldn't cry, no matter how hard I tried to force the tears. 

***

It began to rain lightly as everyone took out there umbrellas, must be summer in New Zealand

Everyone was either in a black suit or a black dress. Ria looked to both sides and saw the tears upon the faces of her loved ones, the last thing she'd ever want to see.

Caesar and the boys were finally visible, carrying a small coffin no more than a meter and a half. They were all wearing dark shades, obviously to hide their tears.

Moe mai ra e te tau  
Ki te mo-e mai e
Whakarongo mai nei
Nga kupu aroha

Ma te Ariki nui
He tiaki i a koe
Atawhai manaaki
I te aroha nei 

Everyone tried there best to not break down, but it was impossible. Hua was organised to be laid down besides his father. Even Grace's family showed up to pay their respects. Ria thanked them for her presence.  Side by side, shoulder to shoulder, they all watched his coffin being lowered. 

Nan was clinging onto Uncle Hami, an uneasy feelings surfaced my stomach. But I had to push it aside for Hua.  

Grace was crying more than Nan. She was very close with Hua.

***

Driving back home couldn't have been more dangerous. Matt was driving like he was the fast and the furious. But Ria wouldn't blame him, if she had her full license she would have sped away as well. He pulled over on the side of the road and let his fingers slide through his hair. Ria's window was let down so she could have some air.

"Talk to me Ria, don't be that girl you used to be"

Dick??? What was wrong with the girl I used to be. Ria thought to herself.

I turned my head away.

"I know your hurting, and I'm hurting just to see you like this"

"Then leave me alone, my life was way less complicated before you invited yourself in" Ria yelled then opened her door and slammed it shut. She didn't mind walking home, it would give her time to rethink her life. Especially that netball scholarship she would be need to decide whether she would do it or not. Also the new living arrangements, with just Nan & Her.

What would happen without Hua around?

Ria would have so much free time on her hands. 

It's just emotions taking me over

Caught up in sorrow 

Lost in a song

That night, the boys + Eliana & Ahua stayed up late, drinking. They were all in the garage, just drinking.

Ria walked in on them.

"Cuzz, go sleep" Chas looked to Ria.

"Pass me a bottle"

All the cousins looked to each other then back at Ria,

"Fine, I'll get one myself" She leaned to grab an unopened bottle and flicked the cap off. Her first drink wasn't bad. It had a sour taste to her lips, but Ria drank to entire bottle.

****

Ria didn't have the energy to attend school until a month after. She wasn't far behind, with every assignment and lesson sent to her online, she was up to date with most of her classes. Lani finally got Ria up and ready for school. Her sleep was all over the place, but she wouldn't let Nan know. Once all the lights were off in the house, behind Ria's closed door was her working on her assignments and reading through her lessons.

Arriving at the halls of hell, Lani & her siblings surrounded Ria like a wall. She was almost a stranger in her own school. There was a lot of gossip since the night Ria yelled at Matt. The halls were a pin drop silent as Ria walked through, everyone just staring.

"Ya'll got anything better than to stare at my cousin? Or do you's all wanna go blind " Lani was loosing it. She didn't like the way everyone made her cousin feel.

Suli and Lani were both talking to Ria but she had blocked out all sound. For a second, she caught Matt staring at her from the other side of school, before she turned her attention back to Suli & Lani.

"Ria? Are you listening?"Lani snapped her fingers as Ria nodded.

Ria & Matt were basically strangers to each other now. Not a single word, they weren't even in the same class anymore. Ria had begged for a different class and was granted one. But Ria couldn't care less, she had lost all feelings for him, and she was happy.

She's finally free.

"So are you ready?" - Suli.

Ria stared wide eyed, she was caught not paying attention.

"Ready?"

"Puta, listennn.... Caesar is taking you for your first driving lesson" - Lani

"Are you crazy? Ria & driving in one sentence is bad news"

"You will be fine, just relax. Your gonna graduate and not be able to drive, man" - Suli

Ria huffed in the conversation that was getting her no where. There was no point in arguing with these two because if they didn't win, they would turn violent. Ahahaha.

Ria was wandering around the halls during last period, which was her free. She stumbled across an empty and unlocked music room. It had been a while since Ria played the piano. It had been almost eight years. She sat on the stool of the piano and let her fingers slide against the keys.

It felt good, for her to finally get in touch with someone that used to be so important to her. What ever happened to her passion about music.

She began to play

I fought for you, the hardest

It made me, the strongest

So tell me, your secrets

I just can't stand to see you leaving

***