Now Or Never

Chapter 15

Luke wasn't exactly positive of the whole idea of going to see his parents. He was worried and honestly I didn't blame him. He'd been dead for 25 years, his parents were going to absolutely flip out. Luke wasn't really on board with the whole idea until he decided he was going to visit them like he used to. He wasn't going to be creepy he just really needed to see them before he decided to do this. He realized they weren't home and didn't know where they could be. It took him a few hours but that's when he saw a sight that broke his heart. It was getting close to nighttime. His mom stood over a tombstone, taking the old dead flowers out of a vase and replaced them with beautiful flowers. She wipes the tears from under her eyes and rests her hand on top of the grave. "My boy.." She whispers while her husband wraps a comforting arm around her. Emily had been honestly struggling for 25 years for closure. She realized her only son, her baby boy, died so young. On a cold street eating food out the back of a car instead of a warm cooked meal. She was told multiple times not to blame herself, but she knew if she'd just supported him he would've stayed. His dad keeps his arm around Emily before leading her back to the car. Telling her how cold it was and that the forecast was calling for rain. Luke watched as both of them got into the car, leaving the cemetery. Luke made his way over just to look at the flowers. He didn't expect his heart to drop as much as it did when he realized his own name was on the tombstone. His eyes began to burn as he felt over the letters. He glances to his left side, seeing Reggie's tombstone next. Reginald Peters. Beloved son and best friend. The first blink Luke made caused the first tear to fall down his cheek. He looks to his right and there it was. Alex's tombstone. Luke noticed the way the graves sat. Lined up exactly how they sat on that couch the night they died. He noticed a note lying under the vase his mother put down. He grabbed it and quickly opened it. The paper was dirty and kind of ripped. It seemed like it had been through hell and back. He needed to see what this said.

"Dear Luke,

It hurts. It hurts because a child is supposed to outlive their parents. I know for a fact you were destined to if it weren't for what you were eating that night. Your dad and I miss you more than anything in this world. I should've loved you more. Told you I loved your music more because honestly I did. I just wanted you to do better in school. I hated we fought so much. I hated to know you slept on Alex or Reggie's couch instead of in your own bed. I'm very grateful for them though. I didn't want you sleeping on the hard cold ground. I'm glad you guys at least had each other in your last moments. I love you so much my sweet boy.

-Emily, your momma."

Luke quickly set down the note, falling back onto the ground as more tears fell down his cheeks. He couldn't believe it. How much his mom cared and he was too selfish to notice. He felt the first rain drop on his shoulder but he didn't care. He sat beside the graves as his thoughts raced in his mind. He was the first one of the three to die. His friends watched him die before they passed away themselves. He couldn't handle it anymore. Luke stood up and began to run down the sidewalk. It started to rain more as he ran faster. His mind was crowded with thoughts as tears of his own fell down his cheek. It blended in perfectly with the rain. My window was cracked just enough for him to lift up easily and climb inside. That's what he usually did anyways. Luke felt bad, he didn't like waking me up. He liked falling asleep with me or leaving after I was asleep to not wake me. He slowly walks over to the edge of my bed.

"Baby.." He whispers quietly, his voice breaking when his hand finds my shoulder. I open my eyes and look around confused before seeing him drenched from the rain. His hair was a mess and his clothes were soaked. "What happened.." I sit up quickly once I notice his eyes red and puffy. He leans down next to the bed, not saying anything instead he rests his head against the mattress. His shoulders move a little to signal he's crying quietly. I look at him concerned as I move off my bed and peel his soaked flannel off him to start to warm him up. "Baby, talk to me.." I say softly to him, rubbing soft circles into his back. "I'm a terrible son." He finally says once he lifts his head up. The spot where he laid his head were drenched from his tears and hair. I move my hands to cup his face gently.

"You're a lot of things, Luke. A terrible son is not one of them." I say, rubbing my thumb across his cheek. He closes his eyes briefly and leans into my touch. "Let me get you a change of clothes.." I stand up and walk over to my dresser. Luke usually left an extra pair or two of clothes incase he needed to change when he spent the night. I grab a shirt and a pair of sweatpants, walking over to him. He easily peels off his wet clothes and pulls on the dry ones. I push him back to lay in my bed, laying the blanket over him. He looks up at me. "You need to rest. We can talk more in the morning." I say, leaning down to kiss his forehead. Luke curls up when I do before lifting up the blanket for me. I smile softly and lay down next to him. His arms wrap tightly around me. I lay my head on his chest. His heart beat fills my ears immediately. I trace soft shapes into his chest and stomach, closing my eyes a little. He briefly looks at the ceiling before letting his own heavy eyes close. His breathing picks up slightly to tell me he's gone to sleep finally. I sigh in relief and get comfy to let myself sleep with him.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!