| It's Always Been You | Reddie Fanfic |

13

-14 years ago-

"Mom! I'll be fine, chill. I'm just meeting up with Sarah, I'll be safe." Aaron lifted his hands, but brought them back down for a second bite at a fresh chocolate chip cookie.

"Aaron, sweetie, I know, but I just really want you to be safe. I know you're responsible, and Sarah is a sweetheart, but anything can happen, anytime. Here," Andrea handed her son a small GPS, "In case you get lost."

The dark haired boy took the plastic navigator and shoved it into his khaki shorts. "I love you, mom, I'll be home by 6." With that, he gave his small baby brother, Stanley, a short kiss on his forehead, leaving the baby to smile. "I love you too Stanny. Tell dad I love him!" He shouted as the screen door squeaked shut.

The walk to Sarah's was short, and she had said she was meeting him on the kissing bridge, which she did. When Aaron, the already 5'10 boy in the roughed up khaki shorts and baggy tee ran over to her, she bounced up. A + S sat directly next to them on the pale wood, carved words left by the two barely less than a year ago.

The 5'6 brunette threw her arms over her boyfriend, kissing his cheek with her tinted lip gloss just to pester him that much more. "I missed you, stupid." She cheerfully let on, letting her arms fall to her side, looking directly up.

"I missed you too, dummy." Aaron added, smiling and grabbing Sarah's face, kissing her lightly on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her abdomen and picked her up, leaving her helpless and squealing. "Wipe it off." He grinned, holding his face close to her's. "Wipe it off." Between laughs, Sarah sharply slid her hand across his face. "What the hell?" Aaron asked jokingly, dropping the girl.

"I wiped it off didn't I?" Sarah cooed, smiling ear to ear. "Come on idiot, the others are waiting." She began prancing off towards her house, grabbing Aaron's slim hand, pulling him along as well.

The two lovers made it to her house, where their other friends resided as well. They played dungeons and dragons for a few hours, before they all headed home, around 5:30pm. Aaron was nearing the kissing bridge once again, smiling, thinking about Sarah once again. His sharp green eyes switched from the road, to the barrens, and to space. Headlights hit his sneakers, riding up onto his stomach, and then his eyes. When Aaron noticed the car, it was barely 5 feet away. The man in the car looked him dead in the eyes, staring cold daggers from the deepest of hell into Aaron's soul. He tried ducking, running to the side, but that made it so much worse. The car at full speed turned, breaking the old wood with the 14 year old boy's back and throwing him into the brush, rolling down the hill. Aaron screamed, hitting rocks and breaking early-growing trees. When he hit the river, the sharp rocks split his stomach open as well as leaving a gash on his head.

Nearly an hour went by, his body lay cold and still, when an officer found him. The Bowers adult pulled Aaron up to his squad car, bringing him to the hospital, with the boy's light pulse.

The doctors called Uris's phone, but no one picked up. They continued with a surgery, lasting a couple hours, but ended at 9:43, his death time. Though he was only brain dead, his mouth and body could not move, nor make noises. When his family later arrived, they came in tears, explaining how they were out at the grocery store, instead of with their now dead son. Stanley was young, but he read the room, crying a stiff cry, seeing his brother laying on a table, lips turning purple.

As they covered up Aaron's perfect body, the room was silent. Words they had all meant to say flickered through their minds.

I love you son. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry that I never got to tell you. I'm sorry that my time was spent at work instead of by your side when you were crying and alone. I'm sorry I wasn't the best dad, or the one you wanted. I love you so much. Please just come back to me, I need you. Tears slipped from Donald's face as he watched the men pile his son onto a cart, waiting to wheel him off.

Aaron? Are you there? Can I have you back? I can't stand to lose you. Honey, please. Wake up! I love you. 14 years and I've always loved you. I miss your smile. It's only been a few hours, but I need you back, and I need your smile. I need your everything. I can't lose you, please Aaron. Please don't leave me! I'm sorry we fought, I'm sorry I didn't get you that little dog you wanted, I'm sorry I'm not perfect! I'm sorry I couldn't save you! I'm sorry! I love you, honey, just please come back. Andrea sobbed, shaking violently as the tears over her son gained control. He was carted out like he meant nothing, leaving the family alone, and apart. Never again.

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Word count - 931

Ah, this one was a bit shorter, but I felt like talking about Aaron was a little important. I actually cried writing that last bit- FUN!

Anyways, have a good whatever time of day it is for you when you're reading this!

Love,

Em