MY NEW NEIGHBOR

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER NINE

A/N: IN NO WAY AM I PROMOTING SUICIDE.  PLEASE DON'T INTERPRET THIS CHAPTER AS ME SAYING IT'S OKAY OR FOR YOU TO DO IT.  THIS IS TO MAKE THE STORY MORE INTERESTING... SPICE IT UP A BIT, I GUESS.  IF IT OFFENDS YOU, I AM SORRY.  PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS CHAPTER THE WRONG WAY.

It was an understatement to say I was shocked at the news I'd just heard.  Alex's dad killed himself?  Alex found him?

Alex sobbed in my arms after telling me the story of when he found his dad.  He sobbed uncontrollably like a little kid when they drop their ice cream.  He clung to me, tight.  I held him right back.

***

Alex was 14.  He had just gotten home from school and assumed no one was home since he heard nothing after calling out to his parents.  He went upstairs to his room to put down his bookbag and was looking for something of his.  He couldn't find it and went to check in his parents' bedroom.

His dad was lying on the floor, a puddle of blood surrounding him.  His eyes were wide open.  A gun was a few inches from his hand.  Alex dropped to his father's side, holding him.  He cried for hours, it seemed.

His mother came home a few hours later and found them.  She didn't cry.  She called the police.  Everything went by so quickly.  The ambulance came and took his dad away.  He never saw his dad again or got the chance to say goodbye.

Before his dad was taken away, Alex found a note in his father's other hand.

It read:  I can't take it anymore.  I'm hollow all the time.  I don't feel loved or appreciated.  I don't want to do this anymore.  I'm sorry.  I love you, Alex and Addie.  Please forgive me.

***

Alex had also told me that I reminded him of his father and that's why he said I was the reason for his resurfacing depression and anxiety.  I finally understood.

Maybe his father's death and his mother's torment are reasons that he's such a douche to people.  Maybe he doesn't want to get hurt...

Maybe that's why Alex's mother was so bitter... did something happen between her and her husband?  I mean... she was never mentioned in the note...

***

The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed.  I expected this to happen.  I wondered if Alex even remembered coming here last night.  I hope he's okay.

Sam: Are you okay?

Alex: I'm fine, why are asking me that?

So maybe he doesn't remember...

Sam: Sorry, wrong person.

Alex never answered back.

***

Breakfast was amazing.  My mom and I had French toast and orange juice... without the alcohol.  We ate then my mom had to leave for work.

"Bye, babe, I'll see you tonight.  I love you," she yelled, running out to her car.

I went upstairs to get ready for school.

I hate Mondays.

I wore ripped blue jeans, a grey t-shirt, and a black hoodie.  I decided to wear Toms.  They are so comfortable.  I love them.

I got my backpack ready and went outside to wait for the bus.

A car I didn't recognize pulled into my driveway.