Falling - A Short Story

12

Brooke Havens

Dear Justin,

It's weird how time has gone bye so quickly isn't it? I mean, you're already turning 28 tomorrow! Doesn't it seem like you left like one month ago? Well, guess my point is it's been a seriously long time and I miss you bro, I miss our long midnight talks and how we would always open up with each other. We would talk about anything. We would laugh and we would cry. Mostly I would cry but if you dare telling anyone I will murder you!

Well, since this letter will probably arrive tomorrow or even the day after I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I love you so much and I wish you were here. Take care, Justin. Be safe.

Love you forever,

Brooke.

"What you writing?" Greg asked going in my room.

"Just a letter for my brother." I told him with a shrug.

We jumped on my bed and got comfortable. I turned the TV on and started to search for a good film.

"The one from the army?" He asked. I nodded.

Honestly, I don't really like bringing up my brother to any conversation with anyone. Good thing Greg just left things at that and asked nothing else because I know that if he had stuck with that subject I would end up extremely upset and here is why:

The things is, every single time the subject 'Justin' is brought up, people end up looking at me with pity. I just don't get it, he is not dead for crying out loud! Sadly, it happens a lot. Specially when my mom has guests over for dinner or any other shit. They always end up talking about my brother. My mom talks about him like if he died on a tragic accident. He is nothing but a goddamn hero, why people don't seem to get it? So long story short, they always end up looking at me with pity and it makes me sick.

We went from channel to channel trying to find a decent film but no such thing happened. We ended up just talking.

"You know what?" Greg said.

"What?".

He turned his body to face mine.

"I actually know nothing about you." He admitted and I smirked.

"Isn't that a good thing, though?" I joked and he rolled his eyes.

"Not at all. Come on tell me something about you." He said

I sighed. "I don't know, like what?" I asked and he made a thoughtful look.

"Like, I don't know, what's your favorite food?" He asked, making me laugh.

"I'm not really ready to talk about such a personal subject." I joked.

"Oh, I have an idea!" I exclaimed smiling.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Let's play never have I ever." I suggested. He looked at me confused.

"What's that?" He asked.

"I'll explain to you but first things first, we need drinks." I said jumping off my bed

I came back minutes later holding two cups and two cans of beer.

On my way up the stairs I felt myself a little weak. It was weird but it's probable because I haven't eaten that much today.

I poured the drink inside our cups as I explained the game to Greg.

"So here's how it goes. I'll say something I have never done before and if you have done it, you drink it." I started and he nodded.

"Okay. so I'll start" I said thinking.

"Never have I ever... Ran away from home." I admitted and watched him surprised as he took a sip.

"I was ten." He said. I laughed and pointed out it was his turn.

"Okay, never have I ever... Kissed a dude." He said and I took a sip. He stared at me frowning.

"What? I'm a girl, remember?" I said and he kept staring.

"No, it's not that it's just that..." He leaned closer and carefully touched my lips.

"Brooke, your lips are dark purple. It wasn't like that before." He asked still frowning.

Shit.

"It's nothing, I'm just cold." I said covering my mouth and reaching out to my beer with my other hand. Greg quickly stopped me holding my wrist.

"Why are you shaking?" He asked looking down at my hands.

Oh no, please don't.

Just like that, everything started to come up.

I got up and ran to the bathroom not caring about the beer I had spilled in my bed. The moment I got there I locked the door and threw up on the toilet, it was all too fast.

I threw up again and flushed the toiled as tried my best to breath.

I heard a nock on the door. "Brooke, let me in." Greg said.

"No, leave me alone Greg! Go back to your house." I yelled.

"No way! Let me in." He insisted. 

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I shouted. I was to week to stand up so I got on my knees and crawled to the bottom drawer on my sink.I opened and started to look for the injection.

My sight started to get blurry, I was struggling for air when I heard a female voice on my door.

"Brooke! Let me help you, let us in!" It was Julia. I didn't have any strength to get up let alone opening the damn door.

One of the last things I remember was hearing  several loud noises until the door was open.

~

Flashback

~Two years earlier~

I looked at my left ,moving only my head. I was still laying on the hospital bed breathing through the inhaler.

"You've got to do something, doctor! It's clear she's not alright!". I could recognize that annoying voice from anywhere, it was my mom.

The doctor was to calm and his voice was way to soft for me to hear anything he said.

Julia came in my room just after it.

"Hey Brooke, how are you feeling?" She asked softly like she was afraid that her words would hurt me. I gave her a reassuring smile as I took of the inhaler. She smiled back and caressed my head.

"Is mom too worried?" I asked. She giggled and nodded.

"You know her." Julia joked.

"Do you... Do you know whats wrong with me?" I asked. She looked down sighing.

"Mommy wouldn't tell. I'm sure is nothing to worry about" She assured me. I did nothing but smile.

I felt a strong grip on my hand. I looked up again and Julia was looking at me frowning. I could tell she was acting brave. That's what she does best. She acts.

But I could tell she was worried. 

"Has Mason called yet?"  I asked. For a moment, Julia froze.

"N-no". Bullshit.

"Julia, tell me the truth." I demanded roughly. She let go of a deep breath and looked away.

And that's when I knew what had happened. It didn't take much. Just a simple tear rolling down my sister's cheek.

˜˜

So sorry for taking ages to update! :( But there you go.

Yep, it's short I know but the next will be longer.

Who do you think Mason is?

Thank you for keeping up with this book, you guys are seriously the best.