Realize That It's Gone

Chapter Nine

Warnings: Angst

Word Count: 2103

Author's Note: I hope you enjoy the chapter! :)

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"Where's Marenna?" you asked as you tossed your backpack down next to the door. "I thought she was going to be here today?"

"She was," Carter answered as he closed the door behind you. "But something came up with her sister and she had to bail."

"Oh, that's too bad."

"What? Am I suddenly not cool enough on my own now that Ren is back in the picture?" he laughed, giving you a playful punch in the shoulder. You retaliated with a shove.

"Not at all. I just have some more... information and wanted to hear what you both thought."

"Information? That sounds serious."

"Later, Car. I just want to hang out for a little bit."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Carter slung an arm around your shoulder and led you into the living room. You had grown to love his little apartment, crammed full of old vinyl records and music posters he had been collecting for years. It was decorated almost identically to what his bedroom had been at home, if his bedroom had contained a kitchen and proper living room. You always felt safe at his apartment and, as a result, you were always finding excuses to visit him. It was never difficult, considering Carter always loved having you over.

"Want something to drink?"

"Do you have vanilla Coke?"

Carter's eyebrows were furrowed when he turned to you, "When did you start drinking that?"

"Car! I've been drinking it for years."

"Well, no, I don't have any vanilla Coke."

"Root beer?" You already knew the answer to that question. Root beer was pretty much the only thing Carter drank.

"Of course."

"Then I'll have that."

"One root beer, coming right up."

You kicked your feet up onto the coffee table and let yourself sink back into the couch. A smile started to spread across your lips as you enjoyed the peace and quiet, that is, until Carter tossed a can of soda at you. It hit you squarely in the stomach.

"Carter," you wheezed, "why?"

"Because I knew you would do that," he smiled as he collapsed down onto the other end of the couch.

"I knew you would do that," you mocked him under your breath as you popped open the can. It, by some miracle, didn't explode all over your hands and the couch.

"So, what have you been up to lately?"

"Not much. Seeing Tyler every now and again, playing video games, taking care of Georgie. The usual."

"How is Georgie being?"

"Chaotic, as always. I'm hoping that he calms down a little as he starts to get older. Maybe we can finally leave him unattended for more than a few hours at a time."

"Yeah, Mom and Dad's plan really backfired, didn't it?"

"Big time," you laughed.

You and Carter sat and talked for quite some time. He told you all about what he had been up to and filled you in on all the things Marenna had wanted to tell you. You told him all about Tyler and Josh's new album, but made sure to keep all of the top secret details to yourself. Eventually, Carter sat up and folded his hands in front of him, a surefire sign that he was about to bring up something serious.