The promise.

Remember me - Avery.

I lost my brother when I was seven, when he died I knew that nothing in this life, in this world could ever hurt me more than this.
March 30th 2012 was the day he passed. After that date my whole life felt empty.
All the memories came back, but he never does. Mostly everyday after school I'll go to the park, one of the places where I have the most memories with him.
I'll just pretend he's there and I am talking to him. I hope I'm making him proud up there in heaven, I don't understand why heaven needed the only person who I needed.
He meant everything to me and was my only protector. I grabbed my phone to see what time it was, my wallpaper is a picture of me and my brother when he was still around.
Think pictures aren't important? Wait till they're all you have left. 17: 30 shit I'm running late, my parents are going to freak out. I got on my bike and put on my headphones. I cycled through the pouring rain.
I was home by six and my dad was already waiting by the front door, "Where the hell have you been?" "I was by Alicia '' I lied, I was soaked. I said hi to my mom and went upstairs to change my clothes, when I came back dinner was finished.
I sat down at the table. I told them about my day, but none of them seemed to care. They just replied with "mhm" and "stop talking and eat your food"
My dad and dad don't really care about me, I'm just there. I try to keep them happy, I want to make them proud. But I never feel like I do, cause I get yelled at all the time.
Sometimes I feel like they wish I was gone too, so they wouldn't have to deal with me anymore. After we finished dinner, I put the plates in the dishwasher and went to my room to read and listen to music that's an escape from reality for me.
I heard my parents fight again, I put my music on the loudest to escape from my thoughts, to escape from them, to escape from my past.

The next day I sat in the treehouse my brother made for me, months before he died. It's the place where I also sit when I need to think. It also brings back the most memories, I remember helping my brother build it. The sun was high in the sky, casting warm light over the backyard.
I was seven years old, full of boundless energy and excitement.
Jace spent weeks sketching out designs and gathering materials.
I watched him with wide eyes as he hammered the first nail into the sturdy old oak tree that stood in our backyard.
''Hold this steady, Avery'' he said, handing me a wooden plank. I did my best, gripping it tightly with my small hands. "Like this?'' I asked, looking up at him. ''Perfect'' he replied with a grin, his eyes sparkled with excitement and I felt a surge of pride knowing I was helping him with something so important.
Jace worked night and day on that treehouse, he told me this was my place to go where I could dream and feel safe and I still do that everyday. It used to be our place, we spent hours of our days in the treehouse.
We called it the Jace and Avery's shelter. I remember how cool it was to write our names on a wooden plank with fresh paint. Now the paint is fading slowly away...just like the memories I have of Jace.
My thought got interrupted when I heard a knock on the door of the treehouse. ''Avery, it's Miles'' ''Come in!''.
Miles has been there since day one when Jace passed away. He was Jace, his best friend and was in the car with him when the accident happened.
Luckily he survived, he is here to protect me and really felt like a brother figure to me but no one could replace Jace. '''Hey kiddo'' he said when he entered the treehouse. He ruffled my hair playfully when he sat down beside me. ''You okay?'' ''I am okay I guess'' I said. ''You look a bit down, kid'' ''Oh, yeah school is just hard and I just miss Jace. But nothing else'' Miles nodded, his expression soft and understanding.
''I know it's tough, Avery. But you are strong, stronger than you think. And you are not alone in this, you know? I am here for you, always''
I looked up to him with tears in my eyes. Sometimes, it feels like Miles is the only one who understands me. It felt like everyone else had moved on, but I can't. I can't forget Jace.
Miles wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. I leaned into him, thankful he is always there for me. "Jace was like a brother to me, too. And I promised him if something ever happened to him I would look out for you. So as long as I'm around, you are never alone. We will get through this together, okay?'' I sniffled and wiped my eyes, ''Thanks Miles, I don't know what I would do without you'' Miles smiled and gave me a reassuring squeeze. ''You'll never have to find out. Now how about we go get some ice cream? My treat. We could both use a little break from all the heavy stuff.
''That sounds perfect'' I smiled.

We turned the corner and arrived at the little ice cream shop that had been our go-to place for years.
''What'll it be?'' Miles asked.
I studied the menu, even though I already knew what I wanted.
''Chocolate chip cookie dough'' I said decisively. Miles laughed ''You and your cookie dough. I'll get the usual too-mint chocolate chip''
We finished our ice cream, the conversation shifting to lighter topics as we walked back home.
The sky had turned a deep shade of blue, stars beginning to twinkle overhead. As we approached my house, I felt a strange mix of contentment and unease, like I was standing on the edge of a precipice, unaware of the drop ahead.
Miles gave me a hug before he left, and I clung to him a little longer than usual, drawing comfort from his presence. "Goodnight, Miles. Thanks for everything." "Goodnight, Avery. Anytime."