Roadtrip Oneshots

Rack, Remember Me (Part 3)

Rye

The last two months had been... rough.

Jack had remembered a lot in that time, but not as much as I'd have liked him to. I'd be so excited when he got that excited spark in his eyes, as a lost memory found itself, but my heart would shatter to the floor when it had nothing to do with me.

I'd make an excuse to leave the room, and one of the boys would come and find me some time later, backed into the far corner of my room, crying into my hands.

They never said anything. Just sat down beside me, reminded me that they were there.

I don't think we ever talked about it properly, but knowing that everyone was there helped, in a way.

***

I watched Jack, Mikey and Brooklyn run around in the garden through the window. My heart ached, and before I knew it my body started to shake.

'It kills me to see you like this Rye.'

I turned around to see Andy stood in the doorway. Sad. Gentle. Careful.

I shrugged. 'It is what it is.'

'You're hurting,' he said.

'It's not his fault,' I whispered, stared back out the window.

Jack looked to the window, caught me watching, and beamed a wide smile, waved enthusiastically. With a hopeful smile I waved back, only for him to turn back to the game at hand. I sighed.

'And it's not yours either.'

We stopped talking about it for a bit, because we both knew exactly what I wanted to say.

'Listen, I've been thinking... and I think I've found a way for you to get him back.'

I snapped my head with a bitter smile. 'I don't think so.'

'Seriously, hear me out. Please?' Andy stepped closer to me, hopeful expression on his face.

'Fine.'

Andy let out a little shout of excitement. I couldn't help but laugh at him.

'Okay, so, you know how since Jack's been home, being here has jogged his memory kind of? Like, he sees something familiar from before, or he sees things he formed strong, emotional bonds with, and it replays the memory for him. Well, that's what I've observed.'

I frowned.

'What are you saying.'

'What I'm saying, is that you could jog his memory by taking him places.'

'We tried that al-'

'-No, you misunderstood me. Not places we went to as a band, but places just the two of you went.'

I stared at Andy, felt my composure break slightly.

'Relive the dates Rye. Get him to remember,' Andy said softly.

He patted my shoulder, and look out the window beside me.

'Andy.'

'Yeah, mate?'

'You said that Jack remembered things he formed strong, emotional bonds with...'

'Oh Rye-'

'-Why doesn't he remember me then?' I croaked out. A tear slid down my cheek. 'Why doesn't he remember me Andy?'

Andy held me for a long time as we stared out the window, and the whole time my heart shattered further.

***