Chapter 49: Conflicted Minds

Eric's POV: "I'm not going to the funeral," I said flatly, staring at the TV screen. The news report was still going on, and I couldn't bring myself to look away. My mother and sister exchanged looks, and I could tell they were disappointed. They knew Tasha and I had been close, but they didn't understand how much her death had affected me. I couldn't bear to face the reality of her being gone, and I knew attending the funeral would only make it worse. "But you knew her," my sister said, her voice pleading. "You should be there." My mother listened to my words, but her face was a mask of bitterness. I could tell she didn't care about Tasha or the news report. She didn't care about anything but herself. Her coldness stung me, and I felt like I was a burden to her. It was like I was a disappointment to her, and I wished I could change that. But I knew I couldn't. She would always see me as a failure. "I'm sorry," I said, my throat tight. "B