Disclaimer: Not my characters.

2008

Harrison

"Harrison?". I hear my mum calling and I quickly leave my room and meet her in the kitchen. "Any news?". I know she was on the phone to the hospital. Fitz's mum is in the hospital fighting Cancer, she was doing really well up until a few days ago when she was admitted. Fitz was devastated.

Fitz is my best friend, my brother from another mother as I like to call him. We met at football camp when we were 5; we went to the same school but didn't really connect until camp when we raced the 40 yard dash. That dude was fast but I was faster. I don't care what his mum says, I didn't jump the start, I won fair and square. Whilst our mum's were arguing over the result we started talking and realised we had a lot in common. Mainly football but we both wanted to play on offense, he's a QB and I'm a Running Back. I thank god to this day that we didn't want the same position.

When I get to the kitchen I see my mum sat at the small round table we use to eat on. She has tears in her eyes and instantly I know its bad news. "Come sit down sweetie", she pulls the chair out for me and I drag my feet on the way to the chair and sit down. Tears are waiting to spill free from my eyes as I hear the dreaded words, "Katherine has passed away". I cried. I don't cry but this hit me hard. I was crying for Fitz, I didn't want this to happen to him.

After that, Fitz moved in with us and we managed to get his mattress into my room. The bed frame couldn't get up the stairs or in the lift so we had to leave it. He put a box of his mum's things together and he keeps it by his bed, he puts his watch on it when he goes to bed at night. Its only a small box but it's priceless to him. Other than that, he has a few football trophies and certificates and some clothes which are next to mine in the closet. He's a math geek too; loves numbers and that's what gives him the edge throwing the ball. He can calculate just the right distance with speed and accuracy. He doesn't think so but I know he's gifted, we both are. When I run it's like everything in front of me slows down. The opposition just bounces off me and I score Touchdowns. I want to be a Pro footballer so bad its all I think about. I'm so scared I won't make it.

Friday March 12, a week after Katherine died was the second worst day I've ever experienced. Fitz and I came back from the park that afternoon after doing some agility drills and speedwork. When we walked into the apartment, mum was on the phone so I waved to say hi and then we walked straight into the kitchen and got some water from the tap. When we sat at the table, mum sat down with us, "Fitz, I was just on the phone with Social Services. They've tracked down a family member on your father's side. A man by the name of Cyrus Beene and he's your Uncle." I just stared straight ahead at my mum, then Fitz spoke, "does this mean I have to go and live with him?", my mum nodded. In my head, I was like, "what?!". He doesn't even know this guy, he can't go.

"When do I go?"

"Straight after your mum's funeral". After that, we both left the room. Fitz went to my bedroom and I detoured to the bathroom to cry, again. I was going to lose my best friend, my brother and it wasn't fair. Fitz seemed to take it well, like he was expecting it so I asked him, "did you know this was going to happen?",

"Kinda... my mum told me about a Grant who left the family when my dad was young. She said he was different and didn't fit in, so he left."

I watched him lay back on his bed and look up at the ceiling. "I don't want to go.", then he sniffed and I knew he was crying. I was glad; I didn't want to be the only one devastated by this news. "I don't want you to go either...". I paused before I said what came next.

"You have to promise me Fitz, promise we won't lose touch. We're in this together, yeah?" I didn't mean it to sound like a question but I lost my courage to stay strong. Fitz never lets me down but this time I had no control over the situation. So much has happened these last few months that I don't know what to believe in.

"We're in this together Harry and we're both going to make it. Shake on it." We shook hands like always and I believed him.

It's the day of the funeral and just thinking back over the last 2 weeks, I cant believe how much has changed. My mum made the funeral arrangements and Fitz's Uncle covered the costs. We haven't met him yet but Fitz has talked to him on the phone. He said he sounded cool and told him about his new home, High School and stuff. Turns out Fitz is moving to California; lucky bastard. I've always wanted to go there. Mum says I can visit in a few months during break and I can't wait. His Uncle knows football too but he's a Raider fan, the weirdo!

My mum sends me to get Fitz, he's in my room staring at my trophies so I leave him to himself for a few minutes whilst I go to the bathroom. When I get back, I ask him if he's ready to go, then he follows me out.

Mr Beene hired a car service for us and I gratefully get in the brand new European car. Its so cold out and I only have a summer jacket on. It's the only jacket I have. I don't think about much as the buildings pass by. I'm feeling numb. In a few hours Fitz will be leaving and I can't do anything about it. I think he'll be ok and I believe Mr Beene when he promised I can come visit when I want and that he'll pay for my flights. I look across at my mum and see her tears. Katherine was her best friend, her rock and now she's gone but she's always got me. I reach my hand across and grab her right one, then I dig in my pocket for a tissue. "Here you go mum",

"Thank you baby".

A/N The story will be told in different POVs throughout. There will be a time jump in the next chapter as we fast forward a bit. Thank you for all the follows. :)