“Shit, shit, shit,” I muttered when my eyes cracked open. I had heard something, which was what woke me up. “Fuck,” I said out loud. I checked the time on my phone—it was six o’clock in the evening, and I had several messages and missed phone calls from Tony, Bree, and a number I didn’t recognize. I looked around and shivered, seeing that I was still in the cemetery, slumped against my brother’s grave. The air was becoming crisp as night neared, and the sun was slowly setting, making the sky turn a darker blue. I let out a quiet sob as I found a few spots of my own blood smeared onto Mike’s gravestone.

“Vic?” I heard my name being called, and it suddenly registered in my head that that was what woke me up in the first place.

“Shit,” I muttered again, realizing that it was Tony. I sat up against Mike’s grave, brushing off some of the dirt on my face and clothes. I could feel crusted blood under my nose, and my right eye was more closed than the left, indicating that I had a black eye.

I slid open the messages on my phone. Tony’s were all of the same, asking me where I was, if I was okay, what I was doing, the more recent messages the most panicked. The number I didn’t recognize turned out to be Tony’s sister, Alyssa, asking the same things as Tony. And then guilt slammed in my chest when I remembered what I had texted to Bree before I passed out.

Her responses were the most panicked of all of the other texts.

“What do you mean, Vic?” “What happened?” “Are you okay?” “Please tell me you didn’t do something.” “Vic, please call me.” “What is going on?” “Oh my God, please text or call me so I know you’re okay!”

I frowned, feeling bad for worrying her. I should have known better than to send her an ambiguous text message like that. It had insuinated that I wanted out, that I didn’t want to live in the real world, that maybe I was considering suicide, but I didn’t realize this until now.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Everything’s okay,” I wrote back. After I sent that, I sent another: “It was just me thinking before I passed out... Let’s just say I encountered Shane and Keri today. I promise I’m okay now. I’m really sorry. I’ll call you later.”

“Look for his brother’s grave!” I heard a girl order.

“I can’t fucking see anything!” I heard Tony snap. I looked around more, seeing that while I was looking at my phone, darkness was creeping in more and more. It wasn’t pitch black, but it was hard to read the gravestones.

And, now, the cemetery looked creepy.

I rested my back against Mike’s grave and tucked my legs into my chest, shivering. Maybe I should have called out to Tony and his sister, but I felt rather numb. The pain in my face was terrible, but it didn’t compare to the wounds in my heart that had been reopened after encountering Shane and Keri.

And I had been feeling so damn good!

“Vic!” I heard my name called again.

“Maybe he’s not here,” Alyssa suggested.

“Where else would he be?” Tony asked sharply.

“I’m right here, guys,” I said at a normal volume, hoping that they would be able to hear me. The cemetery was quiet except their shuffling around, so I think they heard.

“Vic, Jesus, dude! I thought you said you were going to be careful!” Tony appeared within seconds, staring at me angrily. I hid my face, allowing my hair to dangle messily in front of it.

“I’m sorry,” I said in a small voice.

“You had us so worried! What the hell, man?” Tony hissed. I shrugged my shoulders sadly.

“Tony! Leave him alone,” I heard Alyssa snap at her brother. The air shifted around me, indicating that somebody was kneeling next to me. “Vic, what happened?” she asked softly.

I couldn’t bring myself to speak, so I just quietly allowed more tears to flow down my face. I didn’t know why I was so upset, though… maybe it was because the second I was feeling so happy and alive, everything suddenly came crashing down again.

“Hey… it’s okay…” she said softly. I remained sitting there, unmoving. “Can’t you see he’s upset, Tony?” she turned and addressed her brother. “What happened?” she asked.

I slowly looked up, a frown permanently etched into my features. My hair was still in my face, though.

Alyssa timidly moved my hair to the side, and she gasped softly. “Oh, my God, Vic! You’re bleeding!” she exclaimed. I simply shrugged my shoulders.

“Vic, what the hell happened to you?” Tony asked, but his tone was no longer sharp and angry. It was concerned.

“What the fuck does it look like?” I snapped, but my voice came out as a weak croak.

“Aw, Vic,” Alyssa said softly, pulling me in a comforting hug. I remained in my position with my arms wrapped around my legs, but I rested my head on her shoulder. I closed my eyes, a few tears dripping out as I blinked them shut.

“Shit, man,” Tony mumbled. The air shifted around me again, and I felt another pair of arms around me. This only made the tears flow faster, the way Tony and his sister—who I barely even knew—were caring for me.

“I’m sorry,” I finally spoke.

“It’s okay, Vic. You just had me worried. Bree called me asking if you were okay and if you were with me because of a text you sent her, and it freaked us out,” Tony said. I nodded; I should have known better.

“I’m sorry,” I said again.

“It’s okay, Vic, really,” Tony said gently. “Come on, let’s get out of here,” he said, helping me up. My legs shook a little as I stood up—I had been passed out in an uncomfortable position by Mike’s grave for nearly two hours, so I was a little weak.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled again.

“Sh, it’s okay, come on,” Alyssa said kindly. I nodded dumbly and accept the hand she held out for me, following her and Tony emotionlessly.

“Will you tell us what happened?” Tony asked.

I nodded. “Shane and Keri,” I mumbled.

“Who?”

“Shane is an asshole who tortured me through high school. Keri is a bitch who had me believing that she actually cared, only to shove it back into my face later. Keri was the last person besides my brother who I talked to before trying to commit suicide, if that puts it in perspective for you,” I said venomously.

“Vic!” Alyssa gasped softly, squeezing my hand. I only shrugged my shoulders.

“Life hates me,” I said. “I’m not trying to be self-centered, but it’s true. I was on my way back to your place, and I felt so happy. Talking with Mike went so well, but then I ran into those two. Shane beat me up while Keri watched, thinking that the word ‘sorry’ meant anything. And I told them both off and went back to Mike, and… yeah…” I explained.

“I’m so sorry, Vic,” Tony said sadly.

“It’s fine. I’m fine,” I said.

“You’re not fine,” Alyssa said gently. “We have to get you cleaned up before mama worries,” she said, sending a concerned glance to Tony.

“Right,” I nodded, realizing that it would be best if Mrs. Perry didn’t know about this.

“She’s out grocery shopping right now, so we can go through normally,” Alyssa said.

“Okay,” I said. They lead me inside of the house, taking me to the upstairs bathroom of Tony’s room.

“Sit here,” Tony pointed to the edge of the tub, and I numbly obeyed. I didn’t realize until then how cold I was.

“Jeez, Vic, you’re freezing! It’s not even that cold out tonight,” Alyssa frowned. She touched my shoulder. “Oh, the ground was wet. I’ll go get you a clean sweatshirt,” she said, darting off. I smiled softly in thanks even though she couldn’t see.

“This might hurt a little,” Tony regretted as he approached me with a wet towel.

“I can do it, maybe,” I said.

“Okay, here,” he handed it to me, and I stood up and looked at my face in the mirror. I groaned. It was badly bruised—I didn’t realize how many times Shane punched me in the face. My mouth and nose were crusted with blood, and I even had a dried cut on my forehead.

“Shit,” I muttered. I gently dabbed the cuts on my face, and they stung as the bruises throbbed. “Can you do it? I can’t do it myself,” I said with a grimace.

“Yeah, sure,” Tony said, taking the towel again.

“Just, just clean it all out. Don’t worry about hurting me,” I said. There’s no way I could hurt more than I already do, anyway.

“Okay,” Tony said slowly. I hissed in pain as he dabbed my cuts, and he backed off.

“No, just ignore me. Just do it,” I instructed. Tony nodded, and I closed my eyes. I bit my lip as he swiped all of the crusted blood off of my face. I suddenly felt somebody grab my hand, and I squeezed it as Tony finished cleaning my face. After fully washing it and cleaning it, my face felt raw and numb.

“Here ya go,” Alyssa let go of my tight grip and handed me a fresh sweatshirt.

“Thanks,” I said quietly.

“Vic, did Shane kick you in the stomach at all?” Tony asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

“No, thank god,” I replied, subconsciously touching my abdomen with my right hand.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Alyssa asked curiously.

“I swear, my life is straight from a movie,” I muttered. “I was, uh, I was shot,” I said simply.

“You were shot?” Alyssa’s eyes widened. “Oh my God! What happened?”

“A girl at the hospital went a little, for lack of a better word, crazy,” I explained plainly, not wanting to get into it.

“Jesus,” her eyebrows knitted. “I’m sorry all of this shit has happened to you. I know you don’t deserve any of it,” she said, patting my shoulder.

“Yeah, that’s what I keep hearing,” I muttered bitterly. “Damn it,” I cursed angrily.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t think you guys understand how happy I was. I felt so peaceful with my brother, and then this happened!” I frowned.

“I don’t know why these things happen, but they just do. I know it sucks and I know that it’s hard, but try not to let this get to you too much. What Shane did was horrible, and I know you’re in a lot of pain, but try and focus on your happy feelings. Those guys don’t matter, I promise,” Tony said. His words were surprisingly convincing; I nodded.

“Thanks, Tone,” I mumbled. I peeled my damp sweatshirt off, leaving my t-shirt and skinny jeans on. “Thank you, too, Alyssa,” I said, turning to her.

She smiled softly. “Put this on. You’re still shivering,” she said, motioning at the sweatshirt. I nodded, realizing that I was, in fact, involuntarily shivering. My nerves were just shocked.

“Thanks,” I murmured, standing up.

“You should call Bree,” Tony advised.I nodded.

“Um, I’m going to call her, and, I know it’s early, but, would it be okay if I just crash early? I need to sleep this off,” I explained.

“Yeah, that’s perfectly okay.”

“Are you sure that won’t offend your mother?” I asked. I needed to make sure.

“It won’t, I promise. And don’t forget your pills,” Tony reminded me.

“I’m on it,” I gave him a thumbs up.

“Good. Night, Vic,” Tony said, patting my back.

“Night, Tony,” I said, following Alyssa out of Tony’s room.

“Feel better, Vic,” she said softly. “I’m just down the hall,” she pointed to a door on the end, “if you need anything. You’re always welcome,” she smiled.

“Thanks a lot,” I smiled weakly, giving her a hug. “Great first impression, eh?”

“Don’t worry about it. You're great. It’s that Shane asshole and Keri bitch that I don’t like, now,” she frowned, and I chuckled a little at the way her face contorted in anger at my enemies who were strangers to her.

“Good night, Alyssa,” I said.

“Night,” she waved before disappearing into her own room. I sighed, collapsing onto the comfortable bed. I took out my phone, seeing that I had a text from Bree. I didn’t open it, though, deciding to just call her right away.

She answered on the third ring.

“Vic?” she said.

“Hey, Bree. Yeah, it’s me,” I said lowly.

“Jesus Christ, Vic!” she hissed.

“I’m really, really sorry,” I said lowly. “I wasn’t thinking,” I said.

“I know, it’s okay. Are you okay, though?”

“I’m alright,” I said. “It was just a real… bubble burster,” I admitted.

“I understand. But seeing Mike was good?”

“Great, actually,” I said.

“I’m really glad that you saw him and felt good about it. Think about that, and you’ll forget the assholes who hurt you,” she said.

“Yeah, that’s what Tony said, too,” I said.

“I know. He’s texted me what happened. I’m so sorry,” she said.

“I-I’m okay now,” I promised. “It was just… a shock, I guess. And I didn’t know how to handle it. For a little while there, I felt like I was back in high school again,” I admitted. “But now that I’m all cleaned up and awake more, I feel better,” I said.

“Well, that’s good, then. Now I can tell you that I am so mad at you for scaring me like that,” she nearly growled, but I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Don’t do that to me ever again,” she said.

“I won’t!”

“Good. I wouldn’t be able to handle it if something happened to you,” she said softly.

“I’m okay, Bree. I'm really sorry. I took my medication and everything. Everything’s okay,” I said, feeling guilty for scaring her.

“I know. Good,” she said.

“I talked about you a lot to Mike today,” I smiled.

“Oh, did you now?”

I chuckled softly. “Yes, I did. I talked about how horrible you—”

“Oh, shut up!” she laughed.

“I’m just kidding. About the horrible part, at least. I told him that you’re the best thing that’s happened to me since he died. I wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for you, and Tony, for that matter. But you’re like the sun to me,” I said shyly.

“Aw, Vic,” she said softly. “That’s… that’s really sweet,” she said happily. “That goes both ways,” she added, and I smiled. “Hey, Vic, I have a question,” she began.

“What’s up?”

“I was thinking… I don’t if Mrs. Perry would let you, but, I mean, you’re nineteen so I guess you have free will,” she rambled a liit.

“Go on,” I encouraged.

“Maybe next weekend you can come to Los Angeles? We could spend a weekend together, and you can meet Logan,” she suggested, and my heart fluttered.

“I’d love to!” I replied. “I’m sure they won’t mind. I just have to make sure they don’t think that I don’t appreciate them letting me live here,” I said.

“Okay, sweet. You figure it down there, and call or text me when you have an answer. I have to go, now, though,” she said.

“Okay, will do. And, same,” I said with a yawn. “Sorry about tonight, Bree. But goodnight,” I said.

“Shh, don’t stress about it. I’m just glad you’re okay,” she said. “You’re going to sleep?” she asked as an afterthought.

“Yeah, I think so. I feel a little drained, so I’m just going to get some shut eye,” I admitted.

“Sweet dreams, then,” she said.

“Bye, Bree,” I smiled, and then we disconnected.

My face was sore, but I felt happy again. Thanks to Tony, Alyssa, and, especially, Bree, my spirits were back up. Yeah, Shane and Keri were assholes, but they meant nothing to me. Mike, Tony, Bree, and even Alyssa, actually meant something to me. They were all that mattered.

Notes

voila





Guys i'm so emotionally distressed rn because of the vic encounter at the house party tour. i can't stop replaying it in my head omfg send help