The boy & the brownies.

Ten.

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."
-Forrest Gump

"Favorite movie?" He asks. I think about.
"Forrest Gump or Foot loose, the old version." I say. His eyes widen and a smile graces his features.
"No way! Those are my 2 of favorite movies too!" He exclaims. He radiated excitement. And I couldn't help but let the smile show. His eyes widen. He immediately pulls me in for a hug. His head rests on top of my head. I stay stiff for a while but eventually, slowly, I relax. His arms comforting, they make me feel safe. Safe. Loved.
"You smiled." He whispers.
"Second time." I whisper back. He pulls away, I almost wish he didn't.
"We should watch it." He says.
"What?" I ask.
"Forrest Gump." I nod.
"Yea, we should."

"Bye Oliver." I say, and he hops out the window. That boy was truly lovely. I close the window shut and walk out of my room. I'm about to walk downstairs, when I pass by Elijah's room. I almost cringe at the thought of his name. His name. But for some reason I find myself opening the door. It creaks, like it used to. I slowly step in the room. It's exactly the same, except emptier. The walls are a dark blue, almost black. His black sheets are folded neatly at the foot of his bed, his pillows fluffed and straight, his old teddy bear sitting there. I love that teddy bear. My dad gave it to him, I used to ask him for it. He said no, I would steal it. His huge bookshelf is still there, all books in alphabetical order, packed to the max with books. My brother loved to read. The other side of the wall is covered in posters of Lamborghini, he's always wanted one. I wonder if he got it? His extra stuff is neatly in order on his dresser. I open the drawers. Empty. Like this room. Like this house. Like my heart. I jump on the bed and clutch the teddy bear. I hold it. And the first tear slips. I loved my brother. I still do. And another tear slips. They wet his clean sheets. I almost laugh, thinking about how he was such a neat freak. I used to call him Mr. Clean, he hated it. More tears escape my eyes. But I wasn't really sad. But I wasn't really happy. I was just in between. You know?