Maybe I Could Love You Again

"Michael Christopher Fuentes consigue su culo de la cama ahora mismo!*" I yelled upstairs, it was half ten in the morning and I was currently trying to get him out of bed. Damn that mexican for going out last night. I was glad he was out back his usual ways, he was back to his usual self of being a compulsive drinker. Wandering back into the kitchen, I grabbed the smokes and went outside taking up my usual spot.

"Mi cabeza mata, me ayude antes de que muera.*" his groggy voice came from behind me.

"No sympathy. What time did you get home?" I laughed, loudly. I was going to make him suffer for being such a drunk.

"I have no idea. Where did you get off to?" He sat himself beside me, taking a smoke and closing his eyes.

"Jaime's. He let me watch Star Wars unlike you." If he had the strength, I know for a fact he'd roll his eyes at me. He flipped me off instead. I loved winding up about little things like that. With him being a total Harry Potter lover, I was torn between two. Harry Potter and Star Wars. But if I had to choose, I'd pick Star Wars any day. I went back inside, cleaning around the house.

The past couple of weeks have been hectic. With travelling backwards and forwards to the hospital, the shopping, the cleaning, the meetings with management about next years tour and with me seeing Tony twice, I hadn't felt this happy in so long. It was as if nothing ever changed, only we still have the memories but it still felt great to be able to smile a real smile. It felt great to not be scared to walk out the front of the door.

"Mike! You need to get ready. Hime will be here soon and then we need to go!" I said louder than usual as he wandered past. I small smirk playing on my lips as he groaned. How I loved messing with hungover people. While he got himself sorted and looking somewhat decent, I finished up with my chores. Grabbing the banner, I put it up above the fireplace. I grabbed some alcohol from the cupboard and put it in the fridge so it'd be cool for when we got back.

"Good morning gorgeous!" a girl's voice spoke.

"Alyssa, my main girl." I grinned, giving her a hug. When I pulled away, I began speaking again. "So, what's the deal with you and my little brother?"

"I don't sex and tell" she winked.

"Oh you bore." I stuck my tongue out. Just at that moment Mike came back downstairs, he looked a bit better but not much. Then Jaime arrived minutes after. "Right, everyone who's invited knows the time right?" They all nodded. "1:45. No later. We'll be back by then."

* * *

I stood outside in the corridor, excited. Jaime had gone inside. "I'm so glad he's coming home." I grinned. Excited was an understatement right now. Just at that moment he came out. I ran over, hugging him tight. "You look great, big bro."

"Get off me. You're crushing me." he laughed. I let go, watching Vic as he gave Mike the usual bro hug. We finished up in the hospital and headed out. It was 12:30 so we had some time to kill before the welcome home party we had planned for him. He told us that under no circumstances were we allowed to do anything for him coming up but I couldn't just not do anything. Everyone had missed him and we wanted to make him feel special.

We pulled up outside a cafe, the cafe we used to go into all the time before everything went wrong. We spent many of summers in here, even though Vic was older he always came along. We didn't care though, we were always just a small group of friends. Just me, Mike, Vic, Jaime and Tony. Oh the good days. We ordered our usual things before engaging in conversation. It's just like old times. But there's someone missing. But he's in your heart. I mentally sighed, it was right. "Beach next. Just for a walk. Then we'll head home."

"Can't we just go home?" Vic said as he stuffed his face. Oh this might not go as planned. I excused myself from the table, heading into the toilets. I quickly dialled Alyssa's number.

Hey C, what's up?

Vic wants to come home. Text everyone, they have 10 minutes. Hide.

Stall him as long as possible. I'll do what I can.

Thanks, look I gotta go. See you soon.

Bye.

I stood there, silently cursing my older brother. Composing myself, I headed back to the table. "You okay?"

"Great. Sorry, I was feeling a bit icky. Come on, let's get gone." We left some money on the table and headed out. Patting down my coat and sides, I acted like I had left something inside. "Two minutes, left my phone." I turned around to walk away.

"It's in your back pocket." God dammit Vic. "You sure you're alright?" I nodded, this was going to fall through before it even happened. I was beginning to get nervous now. I didn't want this to go wrong. I spent ages making the whole thing perfect for him. Climbing in the drivers seat, we set off. I was looking in the mirror a lot, Mike was looking at me trying to figure out what I was thinking. I couldn't think of a single thing to help us stall him getting home soon.

"Claire, you got any smokes?" Mike spoke. Oh thank you jesus.

"Nope, had the last one earlier." I glanced through the mirror, Mike was looking proud of himself. Jaime seemed to relax as he clicked on. "I'll stop off at the store."

"Take me home first." Vic spoke, I mentally told him to be quiet. I quickly pulled up outside a store. Mike jumped out, heading inside. I tapped against the steering wheel, acting like I was getting impatient when in act I was perfectly calm and satisfied we'd managed to pull this off. Five minutes later, he came out. Two bags in hand. Thank you Mike for taking so long. "About time Fuentes." He shrugged and off we went again.

When we arrived back home, Mike and Jaime went in first while I helped Vic with his stuff. My heart was now racing, I was terrified he'd figure it out before we had chance to get inside. I was praying like mad that this would go right. Oh lord, if you hear me let this go right for the love of god. Vic walked straight in, I hadn't even made it to the door when I heard everyone yell 'Welcome Home'. I rushed in, standing behind my older brother while everyone gave him hugs and all that soppy stuff. Once that was over with, he turned to face me with Mike now at my side. "Come here you two." He engulfed both in a big hug.

"Welcome home bro." I mumbled as he hugged us. I could feel myself getting upset, not the bad upset but good upset. Our entire ordeal was officially over now Vic was now safe and home.

* * *

"Vic, no more!" I yelled over the music as he got another bottle from the fridge. He was drunk and I didn't fancy him doing something he'd later regret. I was the only Fuentes around, so I had to deal with it.

"Lighten up, I'm backkk!" he screamed. I rolled my eyes, sighing a little. He was right, he was back and he just wanted to enjoy himself. I took the bottle from his hands and replaced it with a can. "Knife it?"

"Knife it." I grinned. We each grabbed a knife, counting to three before stabbing it, opening the top up and downing our drinks. Throwing the cans over our shoulders, he headed back into the crowd while I headed outside for a smoke and some fresh air. Leaning against the wall, I felt myself relax. This was perfect. We were back to our usual ways and I was loving every single minute of it.

"Smoking's bad for you pumpkin." A voice made me jump out my skin.

"How many more years will you say that honey bunch?" I laughed, taking a drag from it.

"Until you stop." His face seem to fall. Oh no. Jaime was sad. Why was Jaime sad? He was never sad. He was the life and soul of the party. "I have to tell you something." My stomach seemed to twist, my heart seemed to race. My hands became sweaty despite it being cold. Bad news. He's going to tell you bad news. I don't think I could take it, not right now. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I muttered an apology before walking inside, grabbing the first drink I could find and joining the crowd.

He soon reached me though. He wasn't going to let it drop. Please don't ruin things for me. For any of us.

"I found someone....."

Notes

My spanish is shit but I tried okay. Translations below (as best as I can):

*Michael Christopher Fuentes get your ass out of bed now!
*My head kills, help me before I die.

DUN DUN DUNNNN!! Cliffhanger ;) I'm so mean I know. Anyway, how was everyone's christmas? Mine was fabulous, hope everyone's was enjoyable. Next update asap. I love you all! Byeeee :)