He spread the blanket with careful hands, arranging the meal across it- a glass of tea for himself, a plate of cake across from him. He set the stuffed bunny next to the cake, knowing the smaller boy wouldn't want to be without it. They sat in silence for a few moments before he opened his mouth and began to speak softly.
"How's your cake?" he stared into the glassy eyes of the stuffed bunny, refusing to look across the blanket. He shifted his gaze down into his teacup and took a slow sip. The sweetness of the tea couldn't quite erase the bitter taste in his mouth.
"I had them make it just for you; the staff told me to say hello," he slowly stirred his tea, focusing on the circular patterns his spoon made in the liquid. "He was a bit surprised at my request; he hadn't made that kind in a while, not since you last came by."
He paused, glancing at the untouched plate of cake before continuing, "I'm sorry. It's been too long since we've last talked; I've had a lot on my mind." He took another sip of his slightly chilled tea.
"I'm returning to school at the beginning of next semester." He tightened the grip on his teacup. "I haven't been since… you know… but I think I'm ready to go back. I'm as ready as I'll ever be, at least." He set his cup down, his hand stinging slightly as he released it.
"I'm switching my major to medical science," he studied the pattern of the blanket carefully, still avoiding the other boy's seat. "I met one of my new professors…" he trailed off failing to avoid the empty space across from him for any longer.
"Dammit!" he grabbed the stuffed bunny and threw it across the cemetery. "I should have been there, if I'd been there just a few minutes earlier, I could have saved you!" He collapsed into the grass, tears slipping down his cheeks. "I should have been there."
Slowly, he got up, retrieving the plush bunny and placing it in front of the ornate headstone, moving the cake to rest beside it.
"They told me it gets easier," he mumbled, wiping his face with his sleeve. "They lied." He picked up his discarded teacup and drank the last few drops before tossing it rather carelessly into his basket. He sloppily folded the blanket before stuffing it in with the teacup.
Abandoning his belongings, he approached the grave, resting his forehead against it, tracing the name absentmindedly with his left hand. Tears slipped from his eyes, dripping next to the cake and plush toy as the memories rushed back to him.
He remembered the small coffin being lowered into the ground, the strangers in black attempting to sympathize, promising that time would heal his wounds. They lied.
"I miss you," he whispered, moving away from the headstone and retrieving his basket. He didn't look back as he left, choosing instead to compose himself, the glass-eyed bunny watching him go.
I miss you.