Above

17

Estelle
It took until January seventh for Cirus to say she can smudge my memory.
I'd still remember August, but more as a friend than a lover.
Now, I was packing all his stuff in a box which I would ship to his family, along with a hand-written letter. Although I did sneak all of August's clothes into Annaliesee's house, so she could use it as extra fabric.
September reluctantly agreed to this entire process, and requested he helps pack it all up.
"Hey, remember this?" I ask, setting a picture of August, dressed like a drunken drag-queen, feather-boa and all.
"Oh my god." He laughs. "He almost twisted his ankle in those heels."
I nod, wrapping it in cloth before putting it in the large box.
"Look at this." September says, setting a note from Ned to August in front of me.
'This is a test you bloody oaf, im not giving you the answer to seven'
I laugh. "Maybe we should bring this to Ned."
"There's an entire folder dedicated to it." He says.
"Make a pile for other people." I say. "Since we're not benefiting from this, other people can."
He drops the folder onto the floor. "Okay."
I reach on the shelf above, pulling down a box labeled Atlas in August's half-cursive, loopy handwriting.
The box was filled with little things Atlas had, especially his little mouse squeaky toy.
"Is that a box of toys?" September asks, pick up a tug-of-war toy.
I shrug, pulling out a Polaroid picture of Atlas as a tiny puppy. "I think it's just a box."
September digs a little before finding a collar. "August kept his collar."
"I know, he made sure we didn't bury Atlas with it on."
"Sounds like him." September says, setting the collar in the box. There's a knock on the front door.
"I'll go get it." I say, walking downstairs.
Luca is at the door, holding Cirus on his hip.
I open the door, stepping aside so they can come in.
"How's the packing?" Cirus asks.
I shrug. "It's coming along."
"I was hoping we could start soon." She says. "We can wait though."
"Let me go and see how much I actually have left to pack." I say, turning and walking up the stairs.
September was loading things into the box, occasionally examining a few things before deciding where to put them.
"Cirus and Luca are here." I say.
He looks up. "I can finish, you can do the ceremony or whatever you want to call it."
"Are you sure?" I ask.
He nods. "Just get it over."
"Alright, good luck."
"You too." He says.
I walk back downstairs. "September said he'll finish up, so we can go ahead." I say.
Luca sets Cirus on the floor, her barefeet clicking on the floor when she walks over to me. She pulls me over to the couch, before motioning for me to sit.
"I've only tried this on Reiba." She says. "She effortlessly forgot about her favorite tuna treats."
"Okay." I nod.
"I'm not really sure what happens, but Reiba fell asleep for a day after. She's kind of lazy so maybe that's why." Cirus rambles sitting on the coffee table.
"Sounds right." I say.
She grabs my hand and flips it so my palm faces the ceiling. She runs her tiny fingers over my hands before looking up at me, her already-dark eyes deepening.
I black out.
***
The room's foggy and kinda gives the illusion of a mirage.
August, hair flat, walks in the room. "Hey, E, whatcha up to?"
I motion to my book.
"Nerd." He teases playfully. "Anyway, you know that Stacy girl?"
I ignore him, burying my nose deep in my nose.
"Stefan and her did the deed, if you know what I mean." He winks.
"I don't care who Stefan sleeps with." I say, looking up at him.
"Is somebody jealous?" August asks. "Should I tell Stefan you're hopelessly in love with him?"
I close my book calmly, then throw it at his head. "Don't be an ass, Jones."
He laughs.
***
Atlas bounds around my feet, sniffing my ankles.
"No Atlas, I haven't seen another dog, you know you're my favorite." I say in baby-voice.
He whimpers jumping around.
I reach down and grab him. "It's okay, I've got you. Christmas alone is never fun."
I walk to the couch and cuddle up with Atlas, flipping on the TV. "Best thing about dog-sitting is mooching off of August's Netflix." I say to Atlas, selecting a show. "Well, you're the first best thing, this is the second."
My phone buzzes, once, twice, thrice.
I groan and grab it from the glass coffee table. "What do you want Jones?"
"How is my child?" He asks.
I gently scratch Atlas's head. "He's okay, how's your family?"
"They're great." He says. "Me and Dad are picking out the playlist for the holiday party."
'Perfect' by Ed Sheeran plays through the phone.
"How is that Christmas-y in any way?" I ask. "Plus, it's so old, why would anyone want to listen to that?"
"People like vintage music, including my dad." He says.
"Well, Atlas and I have very important business to attend to." I say, trying to end the conversation.
"Which is?"
"We need to find out what's happening in Mystic Falls." I say.
He laughs. "Alright, I'll leave you to it."
***
"Are you and August together?" September asks.
"Ew." I make a disgusted face.
"We're friends!" August calls from the kitchen.
"Oh, sorry." September looks at his lap.
I shrug. "It's not the first time and sure as hell won't be the last."
"Language! He's a kid!" August calls from the other room.
September's head shoots up. "I'm fourteen. I'm an adult!"
"And I'm the president!" August yells.
"It's okay bud, I think you're more of an adult then him." I say, softly.
September smiles. "Thanks."
One-by-one, my memories of August contort into memories of friendship, and my heartache heals.