Among the Stars (Shidge AU) [Book 2]

Chapter Twenty-Two

Matt laid under his covers on his bed as he stared at the bracelet that matched his. "Matt... Katie is gone..." Those words echoed through his head. Tears fell down his face as his chest ached in pain. He just sobbed. He couldn't take it.

He than heard someone walk into the room. He didn't want to talk to anyone right now. He stayed under his covers as he tried to act like he wasn't there.

"Matt..." He heard Shiro sigh. "You didn't go to school today... didn't you?"

Matt didn't want to go to school. He didn't want to talk to anyone. He didn't want people to act like they were sorry when they really weren't... He absolutely hated it.

"It's been a whole week. You have to go back school sometime... Do you realize how much make-up work you'll have?" Shiro spoke as he sat at one end of the bed.

"I want Katie back..." He muttered under the blanket.

"I know... We all miss her, but you can't hide from life..."

"Yes, I can..." Matt replied. "Half of me is gone... I can't go anywhere..."

Shiro than pulled the blanket off Matt's head as he let out a sigh. "Matt..."

"What?" He asked as he looked at him.

"Today is her funeral..." Shiro informed.

"I don't want to go." He said as he pulled his blanket back over his head again.

"At least get up to eat." Shiro begged.

"No." Matt refused.

"You haven't eaten anything in a week Matt!" Shiro exclaimed.

"I hope I die..." He replied.

Shiro than pulled the whole blanket off him. "Get up!"

Matt pulled his legs close to his chest as he muttered. "It's cold..."

"Get up and walk. You won't be cold. Plus, your mom wants you up and ready in time for the funeral." He informed.

"I told you! I don't want to go!" He grabbed his pillow and pulled it over his head.

Shiro let out a sigh as he pulled the pillow from Matt. Matt groaned as he got off the bed, only to walk over to the other side of the room and to crawl into Shiro's bed. "Matthew Holt!" Shiro exclaimed.

"Takashi Shirogane!" Matt exclaimed back.

Shiro sighed as he sloppily placed Matt's bedding back on the bed. He than sat down. "I know you're hurting, but isolating yourself will never makes things better."

"I don't care..." Matt muttered.

"It won't bring Katie back and you know it." Shiro added.

"I don't care! I just want to die! I want the pain to just go away!" He tears started to fall down his face.

"Matt... please..."

Matt than sat up. "Don't 'Matt please' me! I hate this life! I hate Brandon May! And I hate myself!"

"You're mom and dad are waiting downstairs for you..." Shiro informed. "They want to see you..."

"Well, I don't want to see them! I don't want to see you! Just leave the room! Please!" Matt harshly replied.

"No!" Shiro replied as he stood up. "I care for you! You are my best friend and you are going to eat!" Shiro than walked over to Matt as he picked him up. Matt tried to struggle, but it was useless. He gave up as he acted limp. Shiro than carried him down the stairs and placed him on the front room couch.

Matt folded his arms as he sat there. "I hate you." He muttered.

"Sure you do." Shiro replied as he headed to the kitchen.

Than Samuel, Matt's father walked into the room from the kitchen. He sat down next to Matt. Matt immediately hugged his father as he started to cry. Samuel hugged back as he rubbed his son's back. He didn't say anything. He just hugged him back.

---

Colleen soon came with some applesauce as she gave it Matt. He eventually ate it. Sam and Colleen, after a bit, were able to calm and comfort their son.

They were all hurting. But despite that, Colleen and Sam hugged their son and held him close. As far as they knew, he was their last child.

For the first time in a week, Matt weakly smiled.

He was convinced to go to the funeral. He cried. Matt was known not to be one that cried, but he couldn't help it. A lot of people there cried.

He remembers hearing someone say, "Time to say goodbye to Katie.", but Matt didn't want to. He didn't want to say goodbye.

If he ever had the chance to see her again... he wouldn't use it. He'd be ashamed to face her again...

***

~KanGian