falling from the stars

ch. 14

Billie hadn't heard from Tre in a few days. Typically Tre would always get back to him within an hour. All his actions were being slowed down, the world seemed to spin at 2 miles an hour. Billie's world was black and white. Mike went to school as always, and Billie stayed home as always. But Mike knew there was something wrong with his brother. Billie only acted this sad when fall came around. He didn't want it to last too long.
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refresh. refresh. refresh.

nothing.

Billie sighed. Where was he?

There was a knock at the door. "Bill, you ok?"

Billie sighed. He didn't want visitors. He just wanted to be alone with the ghost of Tre. "Yeah Mike. I'm fine. Just feel like being alone."

"C'mon man. What's up. You've been acting strange for the past week. You haven't picked up your guitar. You haven't gone out anywhere. You've just been curled in bed staring at the laptop." Billie shrugged. "That's not an answer Bill." Billie shrugged again. Mike decided he had to do this the hard way.

"Come on big guy. Were going out."

"What?" Billie asked, confused.

"It's your birthday next week. You're going to be seventeen. I can't have you moping around during your first week of the last year before you become an adult. So were bailing this place and were gonna go meet some chicks. Whaddya say?"

Billie blinked at Mike. He forgot his birthday was next week, yet Mike remembered. His eyes started to water, but before he could cry Mike scooped him up and placed him on his feet.

"Okay, lets go blubber face."

Billie wiped his eyes and and shuffled reluctantly after Mike.

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"Billie?"

Darkness.

"Billie?"

Silence.

"Billie...?"

All Tre could see was black. His voice echoed for what seemed like forever.

"Billie....."

"Billie.... I love you. I'm sorry."

He was all alone.