Pictures - Ashton Irwin (completed)

Epilogue Part 1

"That picture there, is my best friend. He always has been and no matter what, he always will be, nothing or nobody will ever be able to replace him," I cried quietly, pointing to the picture on my right, before switching my gaze to the pale boy on my left.

"I don't have a picture perfect memory of the day I met Luke, I mean I was two years old for goodness sake, but I remember enough," I laughed lightly, "Best friends since nappy days, what a cliche huh?"

"I remember being about nine or ten years old, and I was sitting under a tree minding my own business " I laughed at the memory before continuing, "Then out of nowhere this long haired boy appears and shared his cookies with me at lunch, then Luke showed up and for some reason Luke hated Michael, and it was a mutual hate, the hatred didn't last for long though and they grew close for their love for punk music and to this day, Mikey doesn't know that Luke only hated him because he thought Mikey would steal me away. His best friend.

"I'll admit we got in to our fair share of trouble but out of it we got amazing memories, more than I can probably recall actually. Most of mine admittedly are getting into mischief with Luke but I honestly wouldn't change a thing,"

"I wish I'd gone on more adventures with you despite how much trouble we got into because I'd have more memories to cherish now you're gone and I wish I'd told you more often how much I love you Lukey because i do," looking up and over at Luke as he lay lifeless and pale beside me as the fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.

"This is genuinely one of the hardest things I've ever had to do...," i whispered, my eyes again already brimming with tears, "Luke used to tell me stories when we had sleepovers, we were about thirteen I think, about how he wanted to live his life. He had this dream and i was never to tell a soul because it was top secret," he chuckled before continuing, "He wanted to skip college and chase a career in music, he already knew how to play guitar, he wrote songs and showed them to me once. He had so much talented that was unknown to so many and he wanted to show everyone what he could do one day, when he was ready. He wanted to fly to America and be free. He wanted to live his life out and explore with all his freedom, in the years that followed, he made his own choices and I was lucky enough to be part of it and watch him grow and develop as a phenomenal musician,"

It pained me to say it and know deep down that now it would never happen.

"I had the amazing honour of having Luke as best friend, in fact I have the best memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life thanks to him, birthdays, lazy days and slumbers.

I gulped as I glanced at the people watching me, they knew as well as I did that it was close to my breaking point.

"I've been trying to think of the perfect thing to say for my best friend. I've spent hours and hours trying to find the right words but now I'm here and what I'm saying doesn't even come close to what that dork deserves" I took a breath remembering that I'd promised Ashton I'd remain strong and make Luke proud to call me his best friend.

"I personally don't think my teenage years could of been any better and everything I've been through and sacrificed was worth it because I had the honour of knowing Luke Robert Hemmings and I wouldn't change it for the world, I'll never forget you. I miss you so much and I'll always always love you," I sniffled as the tears flowed freely down my face and with that Luke's coffin was closed.