HSMTMTS: The Core Four 2

104

Ally's POV

After what had happened, we all decided to regroup at Ashlyn's house, filling everyone in on what happened. "So that's it?" Jack asks. "He's just...dead?"

"Yea" I hadn't been able to stop crying. I'd never seen my dad before and he dies a few days after we meet. I know Ricky said he died trying to protect him, but I didn't know he was trying to protect me too. "I almost feel like it's my fault. In my time, Ricky never told me I was there. Maybe if I wasn't here, something could've changed."

"Hey, hey, you can't blame yourself" Nini grabs my hand. "Your dad wouldn't want you to. It's gonna be okay. We'll avenge him."

"How are you doing?" Gina places her hand on my thigh.

"I'm okay. At least, I will be. But it's not me I'm worried about." I didn't know dad the way Ricky did. I didn't grow up with him. He didn't teach me to do anything like ride a bike or sing. I didn't have the same relationship with him that Ricky had.

"Has he come down yet?"  Carlos asks. After dad's death, Ricky went straight upstairs. And EJ just sped away, his uncle and aunt went out looking for him. "Not once" Gina sighs.

"Maybe someone should check up on him?" Jack asks.

"I'll do it" Walker volunteers. He gets up and walks toward the stairs, but stops when he hears creaking. Ricky walks down. He hasn't even changed out of his suit and he looks like he's in a daze.

(Stage 4: Depression)

He looks around before heading to the kitchen. We all share concerned looks about him.  "Um...I don't mean to sound rude" Carlos asks. "But shouldn't he be upset?"

"Oh, he is" Jack crosses his arms. "Stage 4 of the 5 stages of grief: Depression. It's sad, really."

"Well, at least he's one stage closer to acceptance" Cyrus shrugs.

"Have you guys heard from Miss Jenn?" Ricky walks into the living room, holding a bowl of cereal. "Uh, no why?" Seb asks.

"Well, I'm sure dad's all over the news. But if she hasn't heard, I should be the first the tell her." He grabs the remote and turns on the TV. He shoves a whole spoon of Cookie Crisps. "Uh, Ricky" Walker walks up to him. Ricky looks back with a smile.

"Hey, Walker, what's up?"

"Um, I don't wanna sound rude, but are you okay? It's just that we kinda expected you to be..."

"Sad, angry, depressed, any kind of emotion" Myles shrugs, and we all glare at him. "Sorry."

Ricky chuckles dryly and puts his cereal on the table. "Here's the thing, guys. My dad died. I watched him slowly bleed out in my hands, knowing there was nothing I could do about it. And as such, you expect me to curl up into a little ball and cry, right?"

"Yeah, pretty much" Carlos shrugs.

"Well, I can't."

"What do you mean?" Nini asks.

"I have...no tears left on me. Zip, Zero, Zilch. Nada, Niente" he chuckles again. "He's lost it" Jack sighs. "I didn't lose it, Jack. I'm just...starting...to believe...that the only thing I'm ever allowed to feel is...pain. Sadness. Completely alone. That's what I felt my whole life. I mean, my mom literally used to abuse me."

"What?" They all yell.

"Yeah, in fact. Those few months I stayed here were actually because she beat me that hard. Yeah, those bruises and black eyes I told you guys were just as a hero, no it was at a teenage boy with a mother who hated him influenced by her toxic boyfriend. Pain and sadness."