A Sweet Tooth For You(Kevin x Streber)

Chapter 22: Streber

(I know I had these warnings in the CW, but seriously, this chapter contains yelling, suicide, and Streber has an emotional breakdown)

After school a few days later, Evelyn picked me up. Odd. I thought she was going to pick up Arnold from the airport. I guess there was a change in plans.
Most of the car ride was eerily quiet. Just before I was going to ask Evelyn what was going on, she interrupted by saying, "We're having a family meeting when we get home. It's about Arnold. I'm not sure what happened, but I don't think he's coming home."
Her voice was cold. I didn't say anything else. I didn't ask any questions. I just sat there, dreading the news to come.

~~~~~~

There was a nurse in the house. She had short blonde hair and heavy eyeshadow. I couldn't make out any other features, however.
Why was she here? Did something happen? Was Arnold sick?
She was talking to my parents, who looked mortified. I've never seen them this shocked before. Mom was covering her mouth, and Dad was standing defensively. When Dad noticed Evelyn and I, she muttered, "Kids, go to the study for a bit...we'll come talk to you soon.." her voice was trembling.
I hated the look of that. Her voice hasn't trembled since Dad told her we had to leave Norway and move here because of his job when I was 7. Mom's whole life was in Norway, and she didn't want to leave everything behind. But here we are.
I could hardly hear what was going on, but I heard dad yell, "My son would NEVER do ANYTHING like that! Are you positive it wasn't murder?!"
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to calm down!" The nurse said.
Is...is this what I think is happening? No, it couldn't be. Not my brother...

~~~~~~

It felt like forever until my parents walked into the study. Mom looks like she'd been crying. Dad looked defeated. Mom walked up to me and gave me a hug. Something she hadn't done for a while.
"M-Mom?" I said shakily. I couldn't manage to get anything else out.
"Promise me that if you're ever feeling like you don't matter, or if no one out there cares, you'll talk to us or the bishop..." she pleaded.
I froze. I didn't realize she cared. I didn't know she cared about mental health. And I didn't know that she still cared for me.
But I didn't know why she was telling me this. I was scared. "O-Okay.." was all I could say.
"And you too, Evelyn..." Mom said, looking in Evelyn's direction. Evelyn just nodded.
"A-Arnold isn't coming home from his mission..." Dad said, cold, yet shaky. "H-He..." Dad took a deep breath. "He took his own life yesterday..."
The world seemed to stop. This can't be right...Arnold was going to bring all of us gifts from New Zealand. He was supposed to meet me here. He was supposed to meet Kevin in an awkward walk to the supermarket. This isn't real, this ISN'T REAL! I lost my balance, fell to my knees, and stared at the floor, mind going miles per second, tears streaming down my face, and my entire reality is shattered.