Among the Stars (Shidge AU) [Book 2]

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Just like Colleen had hoped, day by day, Gunther had been slowly returning Matt's light. Yes, Matt was still not the same, and became depressed at the mention of the name Katie, but he had been doing better in school. Matt was able to accept the fact that Gunther was there for him, he wasn't there to replace Katie.

May 20th, 2032. It was Matt's second to last day of school. It was suppose to be fun day, and most of his teachers played games or did fun little work sheets. For the most part, it was fun. Then came his last class of the day, English with Ms. Jensen.

He walked into class normal. He saw smiling faces of his other classmate's as they talked. Everyone was looking forward to summer. He didn't have any friends to talk to in this class, but it didn't matter.

He sat down in the seat and set his backpack beside him. The bell rang as Ms. Jensen stood up and walked to the front of the room. She had a smile on her face as she said, "Today, we're going to have a fun writing prompt." The class groaned. Matt didn't though. He like writing a bit, but it wasn't his passion. And she did say fun, so how bad could it be?

Ms. Jensen rolled her eyes. "Come on. It's not that bad." She smiled again as she said, "Get out your writing notebooks."

Everyone reluctantly did so. Matt grabbed the notebook full of stuff he wrote over the year and flipped it to the nearest empty page. He grabbed out his pencil, getting ready to write.

"I want you to write a letter. Write a letter to someone who's already passed away. It could be a grandparent, or a historical figure, or even an old celebrity. It could be anyone who lived on this earth. Write a letter stating two things: what you would want to say to them and what you would do if you could see them or if you had already seen them before they were gone, if you could see them again." She looked around the classroom. "Okay? You have the class time to write and you can discuss with others. You may start now." She then went back to her desk as the class started to talk again.

Matt stayed alone. There was only one person he could think of...

---

It was five minutes before the class ended and everyone could head home. Ms. Jensen stood up as she hushed the class. Everyone went back to their own seats as she looked around. "Would anyone like to share theirs?" No one rose their hand or even made eye contact.

She asked again. "Any one?" No one. She started to question whether people actually did it or if they just sat and talked.

She let out a sigh. She looked around the classroom for someone she knew always did the writing prompt. Matt. She smiled a bit as she looked at him. "Matt? You always have creative ideas, could you please share the class yours?"

Matt looked at her hesitant. "I... don't know..."

"Please!" She practically begged.

Matt looked down as he sighed. "I guess so..."

She smiled a bit. “Thank you!" She then sat down in her seat.

Matt stood up and he grabbed his notebook with him. He made the long journey all the way to the front of the classroom as he looked up at class then back at his notebook.

"Dear Katie," He started off shaky.

Ms. Jensen immediately felt bad. Who else would've he written to? She felt like an idiot, though she didn't have the heart to stop him.

"It's me Matt..." He continued. "Do you still remember me all the way up there? I would hope so... I'm sorry..." The more he spoke, the more he felt shaky. He told him self he wasn't going to cry. "I wish you had a better twin... then you'd still be alive. And mom and dad wouldn't be so worried sometimes. Dad probably wouldn't be considering retirement. He keeps telling me that he isn't, but I think he just says that just because he doesn't want to me to know. ..." He took a deep breath as he tried to stop shaking, but he couldn't. He could hear his voice starting to crack as he was about to cry. He told himself he wouldn't cry! "Then our family would be happy again..." He gave a bitter sweet smile as tears started to form in his eyes.

Ms. Jensen was about to cry herself. After five months, Matt was still severely broken.

"But it doesn't matter about the what if's anymore. You're gone and our family is torn... I hope you're happy up there... we miss you..." A tear fell down his face as he said that. "If I ever had the chance to see you again... I'd hug you tighter then I ever have before and say I'm sorry... I would never want to leave you again." He paused before tears started to fall down freely. "But that can never happen... Your broken brother, Matt..." He closed the book as he looked back up at everyone.

Some looked like they were on the verge of tears, but then one kid in the back shouted, "Cry baby!"

Matt stood stunned. That hurt him more then anything as his face turned red and he was about to shout back, but then the bell rang. Everyone grabbed their backpacks and headed out.

Ms. Jensen stood up. She was going to comfort Matt, but he ran to his desk, grabbed his stuff and headed right out of the classroom as he wiped his tears.

All he wanted to do right now was go home and pet Gunther...

***

~KanGian