behind you (book 2) | d.t

EP 1: Dealing

MAY 2020

Ethan remained slouched beside his brother with both their toes beneath the newly drenched sand. They waited there in silence, not having much to say to the other person. The seconds dragged by ever so slowly - giving them the time and preparation they needed for this encounter.

Grayson struggled to breathe as he stared out at the water - losing the fight of keeping his composure. The sand whistled behind them as their sister made her way to the water- staring out at the same sunset.

No one spoke for those short few moments; they were too comfortable with denying the words that needed to be said.

"Look," Cameron breathed, "Losing a parent isn't meant to be easy."

Ethan bit his lip in attempts to control his emotions while Grayson dropped his head with tears cascading off his chin.

"But we're not alone." She continued to calm them down with her words, "Even with one of them gone; we still have them both."

"I just didn't see it coming." Gray chokes behind his silent sobs, but keeps talking anyway. "Who knows? Maybe I could've done something?"

"No one could've done anything. It was out of our hands." Ethan spoke, finally. "But one of us should've been there."

"Both of you, stop." Cameron sighed and stepped out so she was standing in front of them, then turned around. "We can't be with every person we care about because we fear its their last moments-"

"Fuck this," Grayson spit before heading off the sand. Ethan hollered after him while Cameron kept her eyes to the her feet- emotionless.

"He'll come around." Ethan reassured his sister, "He always does."

"Have you cried yet?" Cameron looked up to her brother with tears brimming her eyes. The beach fell silent at the question. Ethan stared out at the water with a deep breath caught in his chest.

"Only with her." He breathed with a small nod. "I-I couldn't with anyone else-"

"Things will come around with her Ethan," Cameron steps closer to her brother as she sees the pain behind his eyes, "You did what you had to do and one day she'll see it that way."

"She deserves better." He shook his head as he stumbled away from any form of comfort. "She could've had better."

"She loves you still," Cameron held her ground away from him to keep the distance, "Even if you'll always feel like she shouldn't. She will."

Ethan stayed silent as he picked at his fingernails. His mouth would open and close a few times - trying to vent more about a topic he was so tired of dealing with.

"We all need someone in life Ethan. Especially at times like these. What you did-"

"Don't even say it." Ethan bit back before stomping away like his brother. Cameron sighed as she was left standing alone with the setting sun. Her knees slowly set place in the sand as she began to cry. The strength she held in front of her brothers was waring on her already fragile heart.

SEPTEMBER 2019

K a i d e n

"I want to have the wedding in Bali!" Cameron cheered beside her fiancé, Michael - who by the way, is really attractive. I just don't have to tell Grayson that.

"Don't we all." My boyfriend sarcastically comments as he meets us in the kitchen. "We can't go there. Not after Dad fainted at Gianna's party." He kissed my cheek before strolling over to the fridge for food.