fourteen days after

"I'm hungry." Austin whispered to Takumi. She'd been skipping classes and he'd go out to get their homework, but both were skipping lectures.

"Okay, baby." He replied, pulling himself off the couch. The second the door closed, Austin shot up, making her way to the computer.

Warning signs of suicide

Previous suicide attempts

Verbally threatening suicide

Giving away prized possessions

Collecting and discussing methods of suicide

Expressions of hopelessness and anger at oneself and/or the world

Writing, talking, reading, and drawing about death and/or depression

Suggesting the person will not be missed if s/he were gone

Self injury

God, Austin seemed to fit these more than Alaska did.

Recent loss of a friend or family member through death or suicide

And that must've been why.

Sudden and dramatic decline in academic performance

Eating disorders, sleeplessness, excessive sleeping, chronic headaches

Use (or decreased use) of mind-altering substances

Loss of interest in sex, hobbies or other activities previously enjoyed.

Austin stared at the screen. She showed only two signs, but the more Austin thought, the more it made sense. Alaska wasn't too drunk to swerve. She killed herself. Austin was convinced.

Austin ran out of her room, not stopping until Room 43 was in front of her, Holly Moser walking away. Austin didn't bother knocking, throwing the door open.

"God! I can't stand these fake grievers. Stupid bitch." She heard the Colonel say as she stood there with the door open, out of breath with her hair all messy around her.

"My sister killed herself." She announced, sure of it.

"Well, why don't you come in." Chip replied.