Leaving Me

2.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake~
~Aristotle~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No response.

I let out another sigh. Life was so different a year ago.

"I remember the day so clearly Elliot."

The willow branches dance around me.

"We had just woken up, Alec and I, completely exhausted from Alec's party the night before..."

~~~
One year earlier

"Emmy, wake up."

"Why," *yawn* "do I have to wake up?"

"Because you do."

I squint my eyes to avoid the light as I take in the mess that surrounds me. I roll my eyes at the clutter.

Grudgingly, I push myself off the hardwood floor. As I stand up, a rush of blood comes into my head. I wobble in place for a moment. When the pounding disappears, I size up the mess I have to tackle.

"It should take two hours at best." I announce.

I scurry out into the hallway, rummaging in the hall closet for a garbage bag. With the bag in hand, I walk back to the living room to start cleaning.

I start in the far corner, working my way around the back wall. About halfway through, I take note that I am the only one mooing. I look up expecting Elliot and Alec, only to see Alec standing alone.

"Where's Elliot?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Alec drops his gaze to his shoes. He starts twisting the rope bracelet Mom gave him.

"Alec?"

I step closer to him. Something glistens on his cheek. A tear. It's seems with all his strength he forces his eyes to meet mine.

"Why are you crying?"

I watch as he swallows hard.

"I didn't wake you up to clean Emmy."

"Then what did you.." He cuts me off sharply.

"It's happening at 15:00 this afternoon." Alec blurts. His eyes are filled with pain.

My eyebrows furrow together as I look at him confused. He swallows hard again, swiping at a tear on his cheek.

"He volunteered, Em."

I feel the bag slip from the tips of my fingers. The room fills with the echo of it as it connects with the floor. ,My world feels like it's collapsing, crumbling, shattering. I look at Alec, my mouth open, eyes wide in shock as I slowly shake my head.

"No. You're lying to me. He, Elliot, he wouldn't do that?" I let out a ragged breath, my voice starting to strain. "Tell me you're joking Alec?"

The tears spill as I watch Alec simply shake his head.

"He can't."

"I'm sorry, Em."

"Where is he?"

"Outside."

I don't bother to grab a coat or put on boots. I forcefully slide open the panel leading outside, leaving a distraught Alex behind. I spot gonna across the road at the Park in the Cycle lot. I notice that he's with the neighbor's children. There's also a camera near him. I watch as a man in a suit approaches Elliot, with another man trailing behind with the camera. I watch as Elliot and the man exchange words for awhile.

When they seem to finish, the man with the camera, sets the camera down on a stationary pod. I pull out of my paralysis as my feet run to Elliot.

I don't care that there's a camera.

I don't care that I don't have shoes or a coat.

I don't care that I'm completely crying.

I don't care that people are staring.

I do care about losing Elliot.

I do care about Elliot. A lot.