life before mad // r.s.l au

9 : the end of all things

"I can't thank you enough."

"It's fine, this is my way home anyway," I looked to the passenger seat, Skye curled up and half asleep. She jolted upright when the car rode over the train tracks. "You look panicked."

"I don't enjoy driving over the level crossing, it makes me anxious. And my car doesn't really like second gear so it has a thing for stopping for at least 20 minutes when it does so I'm just scared it happens here or something." She shrugged.

"I'll drive you from now on, whilst you get it fixed." I replied, and she smiled.

Silence fell upon us as she went ahead to fall asleep, and I listened to whatever was on the radio. It was Thursday, and after 3 hours in the library for research, we were both equally tired. I insisted on driving her home though; I don't want anything happening to her.

Once we reached her house, her stepmother allowed me to carry her up to her room. It was mainly white, coloured only by the green of her plants and the colours of the multiple vinyls she owned. I set her down and eased off her New Balance.

Her eyes fluttered. "Ross?"

"Shh, sleep. I'm now going but I'll see you in school tomorrow," I kissed her cheek. "Goodnight."

Skye turned over with a grunt. "Goodnight."

I was soon on my way back home, arriving at least 20 minutes later, due to traffic. The house was silent and gloomy, similar to the way it was the day my father left us.
Mom sat in the living room, reading a magazine whilst the TV served only to make white noise.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. I dropped off Skye and then traffic was nuts. Where is everybody?"

Her eyes glanced up. "The boys went to play ice hockey with Craig. Rydel's upstairs, heartbroken. She and Finn broke up."

"Oh no, I'll go check on her once changed."

She replied with a nod, before flicking the page.

+++

"Can I come in?"

"If you want to."

Upon opening the door, the strong smell of a lavender candle burning hit me in the face. My sister was laying on her bed, a box of tissues beside her as she read a book, listening to music.

She placed a bookmark into the paperback and set it on her nightstand. "How may one help?"

"I came to check on you. Mom told me about today."

Rydel looked away. "I'm fine, I'm perfectly fine. I mean, who completely blanks their girlfriend and then breaks up with them the next day, you get me?"

At this point, she was sobbing on my shoulder. I kindly took her into a hug. "It's okay, he is an idiot and you don't deserve him."

"Maybe I just wasn't good enough for him."

"Of course not. You're way out of his league, Del. He's an absolute jerk." I said. "Don't worry about it, I know it sucks."

"You don't understand, Ross."

"I do, remember the Abbie thing? The first day was awful, and you know that. It absolutely sucked, but I got over it; look at me now, I'm learning to like a girl again." I smiled. "Things get better, Rydel."

"I know they will, but for now am I allowed to just cry on you?"

"Of course."

And so that was my night; my sister weeping softly on my chest as I held on to her, Twenty One Pilots filling the rest of the gaps.

+++

I tapped my toothbrush against the sink lightly before putting it back into the holder. As I poured my two daily antidepressants, my phone decided to ring. I placed them aside. "Hello?"

"Hey man, thought you'd be asleep."

"If you thought I would be asleep," I turned around. "Why'd you call?"

Matt chuckled on the other end of the line. "Fair point, are you busy though?"

"Not really, no. Do you want to meet or something?"

"Yes, urgently-" he breathed, silence taking over the call for a few moments. "Meet me at the street where Casper sent you."

"Alright."

I dressed myself once again, and after checking on Rydel, I hopped the fence in my back garden and bounced. As it was quickly approaching midnight, the roads remained deserted which helped me reach the place with ease. Like expected, Matt sat against the hood of his own car, a cigarette wedged between his lips.

He exhaled smoke, and smiled at my presence. "Hey."

"What's up? What is so deadly important that you need to see me right now, on a school night?"

"Since when do you care about your bedtime? Found yourself a decent girl and now you're an exemplary student?" Matt said. I rolled my eyes, impatiently tapping my feet.

"Get to the damn point."

"Wow, you're on edge, something bothering you-"

His shirt found its way into my fist. His eyes were locked on mine, a flicker of fright dancing within them. "I haven't taken my antidepressants, so if you'd like to live, I suggest you talk."

"Relax, Yosemite Sam." He shoved me away. "We have affairs to talk about"

"Such as?"

"Well," a scary smile took over his face. "Our first job."