"Yeah, I recognize you from calculus." I said dryly taking out my headphones.
"Im sorry about Luke, he was really nice." I wanted to punch him too.
"Luke was not 'really nice' he was the most amazing person I've ever met or am likely ever to meet. If you ever degrade him in such a way again I will punch you." I started to walk away.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect him. I always admired him, he was amazing." I wasn't expecting that.
"Thanks." I muttered. "I'm Ryan."
"I know." Zeke laughed. He had a nice laugh. Wait what am I thinking?! I can't be attracted to him! I had to walk away.
"I'll see you tomorrow I guess." He called as I walked away. I didn't bother telling him I was suspended.
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"Where were you?!" My mom asked as I walked in the front door.
"I left a note..." I said pointing down the hall to my bedroom. My mom looked flustered.
"Leave the kid alone." My dad said walking out of the kitchen. "He's had a tough week." He put his arm around me and I felt a little better. My mom just sighed and went to her room. My dad and I sat on the couch.
"How are you Ryan, really." He said calmly. I didn't want to cry in front of my dad. I wouldn't cry in front of my dad.
"Awful, but there's nothing I can do about it." I said sighing. "Luke's gone and I don't know what to do."
"I wish I could relate, but I knew Luke and I know he'd want you to be happy." I knew that was true but it was so hard.
"I just want him back." I whispered. My dad nodded and put his arm around me, something he hadn't done in years.
"Thanks dad."
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Gabrielle came over after school the next day to bring me work.
"I know you're not gonna do any of this, but here you go." She dumped the folder on my desk. I smiled at her sadly.
"Ryan sweetie I know this is tough. I miss him too, but cheer up. It's what he would want.
"What he would want." I laughed. "Everyone's telling me 'it's what he would want' but how do you know what he would want. HE'S DEAD." Tears were streaming down my face and beginning to spill from Gabrielle's eyes. "I'm sick and tired of everyone using him as an excuse to get me to stop moping. MY BOYFRIEND DIED." I sat down on my bed and couldn't even look at Gabrielle. I expected her to storm out of the room crying. But she didn't. She joined me on the bed and out her arm around me. I shrugged her off, and then put my arm around her. We sat and cried for a little then Gabrielle had an idea.
"Let's look at some pictures." She suggested. I didn't think it was such a good idea but she insisted. She pulled out a plastic bag of pictures I'd had developed for Luke's birthday. We pulled out each and every one and remembered the story behind them. Some of them Gabrielle didn't know so I told her. We did this for hours until Gabrielle's mom called and told her to come home.
"Bye Ryan, I'll stop by tomorrow." She said giving me a hug and rushing out of the house. I smiled as I put the pictures back in the bag. I pulled one out though. A wallet sized picture Gabrielle took of me and Luke kissing. It was my favorite picture of us. I put it in my wallet and smiled at it. Maybe I could feel better.
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*AUTHORS NOTE*
Do you think he's recovering to fast? Do you think the way Gabrielle reacted to his outburst was accurate? I can't freaking tell
YOU ARE READING
Finding You
Teen Fiction17 year old Ryan has just been hit with the worst tragedy of his young life. His boyfriend Luke is dead. Ryan is devastated. Will his new friend Zeke help heal his broken heart?
