Can You Hear Me?

Chapter two:

It has been two weeks since that night and nothing has changed. Ethan and I have grown so close we are practically inseparable. He and I Facetime each other every night for hours on end. I think I'm starting to get feelings for him and that scares because I don't want him to see the pain. "How did you get the scars on your arm" Ethan asks as we walk to class together. "Oh these...they are... there from breaking up a dog fight." My voice was shaky hopefully he didn't notice. "Oh" is all he manages to say. We get off the subject and start talking about other things like school and life. Then the bell rings and we take our seats.

Finally the bell rings signaling it's time to go home, I bolt from my seat. When I get outside I notice the dark sky but then I hear a familiar voice call my name. It can't be he's not supposed to be in town for months. I look and see his face; my brother stands next to his black dodge challenger. My face lights up and I sprint to him, "Derek!"  I run to him as fast as I can and embrace him in a hug. His laughs as I hug him, his muscular arms hold me close and tight as he rests his head on my head. I'm so happy I start to cry "What are you doing here" I ask as I let go of him. "I put in a request to come home early and thankfully my Sargent granted it." I'm so happy my brother and my best friend is back for however long. I missed him so much, "Hey Ash who is this." Ethan and Grayson are standing behind me and giving me a weird look. I wipe my tears away and say "Boys this is my brother Derek. He's in the Marines and he's home for a little while. Derek this is Ethan and Grayson, They are the boys I was telling you about." "So you two are the famous Ethan and Grayson I have been hearing about. Nice to meet you guys." They smile and talk for a while until it starts to rain and we all head home.

Derek and I sit on the couch and talk for hours; I have missed him so much when he's around I feel like I'm going to be okay. "Hey I got you something." I give him a confused look; he then gives me a small box. I open it to revel a beautiful wolf necklace. "Derek it's beautiful but you really shouldn't have." "Nah I wanted to" He says with a smile. I give him a tight hug. I'm glad he is staying for a couple days; He has been my support system ever since dad. We continue to talk till he looks at the time. It reads five am, "Damn we should go to bed its late and you have school tomorrow." "Awe Please let me stay home" I plead "I want to spend the day with you please Derek." I give him my best puppy dog face and it works. "Fine" he says "but we should still go to bed I'm really tired." "Deal" I say as I hug him again, he chuckles and I give him a kiss on the forehead as I walk up to bed.

We spend the whole day watching Netflix, eating and talking. It was great even mom was civilized this morning before she left for work. It's around 12:30pm when I receive a text from Ethan.

Ethan: Hey where are you?!?!?

Me: I stayed home to hang out with Derek today.

Ethan: Oh have fun I will Facetime you later.

Me: KK

"You like him don't you" says Derek, "What! No! We are just friends." "Ha sure. Come on Ash don't lie, you smile when ever his name lights up on your phone. Hell you are blushing right now as we speak." I look down at the floor, "Okay so I like Ethan. Happy now." He laughs "Yes and you should really tell him" "Why" "Really...He flirts with you all the time. He likes you I can tell." I roll my eyes at him and continue to look at the floor. He finally turns on a movie but we get interrupted by his phone going off.  He gets up and walks into another room.  I watch the movie and think about Ethan until he comes back into the room. "I got to go. I will be back later tonight okay."  "Why where are you going" I ask.  "Some of my old friends found out I was in town and they want to hang out." "Oh well have fun."  He gives me a hug and leaves.

Hours pass and I get a call from my mom she is on her way home. I Facetime Ethan and we talk and talk, I don't want to be in the same room as my mother because I know that when she gets home she is going to be tired and drunk. Suddenly there is a knock on the door down stairs. I get up and grab my phone and head down stairs but mom beats me to the door. An officer stands there with a sad look on his face. "Is this the Smith residence" he asks, "Yes it is how may I help you officer?" "I'm afraid I have some bad news... Your son Derek Smith has been in a car accident. I'm afraid he did not survive....I'm so sorry for your loss." With that he leaves our steps "Ash? Ash? Ash! What's wrong" Ethan asks. Tears well in my eyes and without a word I drop my phone and fall to my knees, sobbing. The pain is so much that I can't take it. "Ash! Ash! Come on Ash talk to me."  I grab my phone and run up to my room. I can't believe it my brother, my best friend is gone forever and I don't know what to do. It's too much I can't take it I need him; he knew everything about me even about the cutting. Tears stream down my face like rivers. I grab my blade and with four slashes I try to take away all the pain.