Gray Area

10

Chapter 10

*2 weeks later*

"Bye," I smiled, kissing Tayler softly before leaving his apartment. The two of us have been hanging out for nearly 2 weeks now, the two of us getting really close. 

When I got back to my house, I couldn't help but smile. There was nothing that could wipe the smile off my face. I kicked off my shoes, skipping to the back room where Ryan was, knocking on his door. 

"Ry, can I come in?" I smiled, knocking obnoxiously. "Ry?!" My heart dropped as I kept knocking, finally just opening the door. He wasn't in his bed, but the sound of him throwing up made me run to his bathroom. He looked up at me, his face paler than a ghost, his eyes begging for me to help him. "Hey, you okay?" I jumped, dropping to the floor beside him as I rubbed his back, his body drapped over the toilet. 

"No," he said weakly, closing his eyes. His breathing was heavy and his eyes were struggling to stay open. 

"Ryan, you have to tell me what happened," I gulped, my little brother just laying there. "Ryan, what happened?" I shook him, his eyes opening ever so slightly as he looked at me, a dazed look in his eyes. 

"I had a really bad seizure a few days ago and I've had one ever since," he said softly as if that small sentence took all of his energy. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" I gulped, running my fingers through my brother's hair, pushing it out of his face. 

"You're so happy. I didn't want to ruin that for you," he coughed, closing his eyes again. 

"How bad is it?" I sniffled, trying to hold back my tears as I watched my brother lay against the toilet, grasping onto every ounce of life he had. He let out a soft sigh, clearing his throat as he opened his eyes ever so slightly. 

"Can we sleep in Matty's room?" He sniffled, a tear trickling down his cheek as I nodded, clearing my throat. 

"Yeah," my voice cracked as a tear escaped. I quickly wiped it away, standing up. I used every muscle in my body to lift my limb brother off the ground, his big lanky figure completely draped against me. "Ryno, can you feel your leg?" I said softly, practically dragging him across my floors as he shook his head ever so slightly. 

"No," he whispered, trying to help me as I struggled. 

Somehow, someway, I got him to the back bedroom that was designated as 'Matt's room'. It's supposed to be his room for if he ever one day returns home. Ryan and I made a pact that if he ever had an inclination that his time was almost up, he'd ask for me to sleep in Matt's room with him so we could have one last Thomas kid's sleepover like when we were little. I placed Matt's sacred childhood blanket on top of Ryan before laying next to him, laying on my side so I could see him. With ever ounce he had, he somehow managed to turn his body so he was looking back at me, a soft smile on his face. 

"I love you, Gray," he gulped as I bit my tongue, fighting the tears. I had to be strong for him. 

"Never tell Matt, but you'll always be my favorite brother," I smiled, pushing his hair out of his face. 

"I have to tell you something," Ryan gulped as he closed his eyes. 

"Shoot,"

"Tayler," he said softly, "he's your person. I know it, you know it, he knows it. Don't lose him, please," he mumbled softly as I laughed, nodding my head. 

"Only if you promise that somehow, your little ghost body will be at my wedding," I giggled, grabbing my brother's hand as he laughed softly, his laugh turning into a cough before he settled, smiling softly. 

"Don't worry, I'll be glued to your hip," he smiled. 

"I don't want to be all sappy, but I love you, Ryno. Thank you for being my built-in best friend for the last 17 years," I laughed softly, a tear trickling down my cheek. 

"No, thank you, Gray," he mumbled softly, squeezing my hand. "Thank you," he whispered softly, my heart breaking as I laid there next to him.