Chapter 21 – Black in all its glory

"19 year old, Will Thompson, was killed Friday night after a date with one of his closest friends. They were walking out of the restaurant, were laughing and he tripped in the road before falling, being caught off guard ran right into Will as he later died at a nearby hospital."

I lay in my dad's bed, as I couldn't sleep. I hadn't slept in the past forty-eight hours. Every time I would even try, I would get haunting nightmares of that evening. I would wake up screaming and frantically calling for him. His parents had landed the next morning, only knowing that there son was in bad condition, when they got to the hospital they were told the same news I was told.

Tonight, we were all flying back to Kansas City where he was going to be buried tomorrow afternoon. It was supposed to be a beautiful day in September but suddenly August seemed haunting. August 30th was when my best friend lost his life. He was more of a friend than I thought until that day. I have only seen his parents once and they were a mess. I was a mess. Our whole crew was a mess.

We were all flying on a private airplane through the Yankees. We were going to land later tonight and all go stay at a hotel nearby. Dylan was staying with us right now and making the call to Troy the other night was almost hell.

Flashback

I sat crying on my bed, the morning after everything had happened. Not a wink of sleep had come as I finally called Troy. "Brie, it's awful early," I began to cry as Troy sounded alert, "Baby, what's wrong,"

"Will," I began and I couldn't catch my breath. Troy kept pleading for me to talk over the phone, almost accusing me of cheating at one point but he never got the words out, only knowing something was seriously wrong. "Will died last night," I finally sputtered, I began to sob as Troy was silent, "What do you mean?" he asked me; I shook my head as I couldn't make sense of it at all.

My dad ended up taking the phone and telling Troy everything that had happened. My dad gave me the phone back and Troy tried to talk to me but I couldn't stop sobbing long enough. His voice was pained and he sounded upset himself.

Everything he said I couldn't understand as it seemed so distant. The sobs were hard and the words made my chest ache. I finally said goodbye to Troy and hung up the phone.

End of Flashback

"Hey, did you get any sleep?" I looked to see Dylan standing there and I shook my head. "No," I whispered quietly, "I didn't either." He crawled into bed next to me and he wrapped his arms around me. "He told me so many things that night," I whispered, the tears coming hot and fast. "It wasn't your fault," Dylan said, "If we would have gone on Tuesday like I said the first time but I was too tired, I was too tired to go,"

"Gabi, you can't blame yourself for this at all."

I pulled away from Dylan and he grabbed my hand, "Come here, just lay here, and stop talking." I shook my head, "What am I suppose to tell his parents? How am I supposed to look at his parents and say this whole thing could have been avoided?"

"It could have happened Tuesday too," he marked, "You can't predict the future." I cried as I shook my head, "It's my fault," he sighed and just laid me back, Troy had tried to call a few times but I didn't have the energy to talk. I knew he was calling my dad to make sure I was okay but I just, if I was going to need him I needed him physically.

I needed him right next to me, holding me, telling me everything was going to be okay. I needed him right now. I wasn't getting right now either. My stomach rolled, as I felt sick the past two mornings from the amount of tears and the lack of food I was eating. Sitting up, I gave a look out the window. It almost seems hopeless was the only thing running through my mind, the last words he said to me.

I kept looking at the pictures just minutes before the accident. It was just simply minutes. I gave a look out the window as my dad was filing some paperwork to be gone for at least three days on the bereavement list, when somebody dies. I shook my head and I felt my legs give out. I wasn't steady and I wasn't good.

"I need Will," I sobbed; Dylan scooped me back up and laid me on the bed. "We will get through this together." Tears ran down my cheeks, as I couldn't move.

Troy's POV

"Alex," the man on the other end sighed, "How is she," I pleaded with him, "Same as yesterday, pretty upset and tired,"

"Is she not sleeping?"

"No, she fell asleep for a little bit last night and woke up screaming. It's not good, is there any chance you can make it up to KC?" I ran my fingers through my hair and I shook my head, "No, I wish, I asked, I begged but since it's not anybody close they won't let me go,"

"It's okay, stay," the man on the end said, "She'll be okay." I tapped my foot, "One of her best friends just died," I stated, "She won't be okay," my chest hurt as I thought about her the other night. I have never heard her cry so hard before, so hard.

"Are you sure? I mean I can just leave,"

"That's not going to win you any brownie points."

"I know but I need to see her, it's already been two months,"

"I know, maybe we can work something out but for now, just stay where you are and I will stick with her. She's going to need you on those nights that I can't."

My stomach dropped and I nodded, "Alright,"

"She'll be okay,"

"Are you saying that so we both believe it?"

He paused, "I sure hope Troy,"

Mallory's POV

"I don't understand," I finally said, my eyes looked over at Colin, "its hard baby," his hand touched my lower back and I leaned into him. Tears ran down my cheek, "I have never seen Gabi like that, I didn't realize how close they were, I mean I knew they were close but it was something more."

"They loved each other. If that was Troy I bet she would already be dead though, I think she fell in love with will but it was nothing compared to the love she has for Troy, so to her it wasn't falling in love but she loves him."

"I know but she looked so hurt."

"She probably will be but God, Will," Colin sounded upset as I touched him gently, "He was my roommate," I touched his arm and we both laid back into my bed. We began to spill memories of Will to each other, the laughs he gave and the things he did. My lip trembled as I buried my body into Colin's. "We'll be okay."

"Troy is so worried about Gabi though,"

"I bet he is. I would be worried about you but I get to be with you. He can't be with her. I'm worried about you now,"

"He keeps texting me and calling me, I think he has called everybody he has numbers for a million times. He wants to leave but he can't."

"He will find a way I bet,"

"Or she is going to go to him."

"Maybe,"

Colin and I both went silent, we were both crying. We didn't know how to feel or what to feel. It was something we both didn't understand and I couldn't imagine how Gabi felt or even his parents.

Gabi's POV

"Hey Gabs, somebody wants to talk to you," I looked over at my dad and he held the phone out to me. I took a breath as I took the phone, "Hello?"

"Brie," Troy's voice suddenly made tears form in my eyes, "Troy, I," I began to cry as my throat swelled. "Hey, Brie, hey, just breath for me okay?" I cried and I shook my head, as I couldn't listen to him, I needed his arms. I needed everything.

"I love you," the simple words made me crumble, I sobbed back the right words and I then dropped the phone, as I couldn't talk. My dad talked to him for a moment and he circled me in his arms. "We have to get ready to go okay?" I could only nod as I looked down to see I was in Troy's hoodie and my shorts. I looked up at my dad and he sighed, "You have been wearing those clothes for a couple of days."

I nodded, I understood, I just didn't have the energy, the desire to even try. I looked at my dad, he sat down and he held me. "I know this is possible the hardest thing you will go through right now, it may be the worst thing ever you ever understand, it's going to be tough and long, hard, road back and if you need to take time off school for a little bit or something, if you need something you just need to tell me."

I choked as I looked at him, "I want Troy," his eyes softened around the corners, "Oh El, I wish I could bring him here but he can't leave, he tried so hard, I tried so hard to get him out to meet us in KC but it's not going to happen." I clutched my stomach as pain seared through it. Bending over, my dad rubbed my lower back, "I'll see what I can do though,"

Words weren't forming in my mouth as I stood changing my shorts in for yoga pants and a new bra and tank top, the sweatshirt staying on as I comforted me and that's what I needed. My arms dug in as I threw my hair in a messy pun and I put on a pair of Sperry's. My eyes watered when I walked out of the bedroom. Mallory and Ellie were huddled close, Colin and Brad were talking, and Jessie and Katie were all there, bags dropped at feet.

Packing most of my stuff earlier, I had found a black tight dress with shiny pump heels. I had a couple of other clothes but that was it. I didn't want much or need much. "Hey girl," Mallory said standing, she came over and she hugged me, the apartment is normally so empty and now so many people were in here. All of them were my friends.

We all sort of huddled together as we were in a group hug. Everybody was doing crying and then somebody cleared their throat as I turned to see his parents. I felt my body drown, as his mom was so upset, his dad keeping a hand on her shoulder. "Alex, we want to thank you before the flight of everything you are doing," his dad said stiffly, I finally muttered the courage, walking up to his mom I offered her a hug as she let go of her husband, John, and wrapped me in a hug. "I'm so sorry, it's my fault and I feel so bad," she shook her head, "No sweetie, it wasn't your fault okay? He loved you so much and if he heard you blaming yourself he would be upset with you."

My lip trembled as I looked at her, "We were supposed to go on Tuesday, that's when we were supposed to go and we didn't. I should have just done it," his dad hugged me next as I kept mumbling something. Tears streaming down my cheeks. "You were a fantastic friend to him and that's exactly what we love, so don't blame yourself ever sweetie. You didn't purposely push him into the street or even driving the car or his feet."

I sobbed, as I didn't understand how they were making sense of all of this. My dad wrapped his arms around my shoulder; hugging my close, "Come on baby girl," my dad was holding our bags as we were all escorted down to the cars waiting. All of them black. Curling up next to my dad, I closed my eyes and I felt his hand over mine. The drive to the airport in our car was full of sniffles and occasional sobs. It was tough. This was tough.

Shaking my head, my dad touched me softly. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, "It doesn't make sense." I whispered, "It doesn't make any sense."

"Of course not, death isn't supposed to make sense in our heads. It's not supposed to happen at nineteen, it's supposed to be when you are old and have grandchildren running around you, I'm not supposed to be around, that's when it makes more sense this of course does not. It shouldn't. You had a special bond with him and you are going to hurt for a long time."

My chest ached as I turned away. When we got to the airport, we were all checked through security and directly to our flight. It was roomy and spacious, everybody boarded and tossing luggage over head.

We were meeting Will at KCI when we got there with the funeral people. My stomach crawled with fears, as I felt sick even thinking about it. Pulling my legs up, I tucked my head onto my leg as Mallory and Ellie sat on both sides of me. We all hugged and held each other, this is not what I wanted and this is not what I was going to do today.

It had been a horrible week.

Pressing my dress, I looked at my dad as he was putting on a nice black suit. We had landed late last night; my dad had somebody take Will's parents home while we all go settled in a nearby hotel.

I didn't sleep again. Even if I tried all I could see was it happening again in my head? That's all I could see. It scared me and I curled up close to my dad, as I didn't want to sleep alone in my own bed.

Ellie and Mallory came by early in the morning after another sleepless night for them. We had walked to the local Starbucks and grabbed a drink but nobody talked. Nobody knew what to say. My stomach panged with guilt and I let out a long sigh. My dad turned towards me quietly, "Are you alright?" I gave a silent nod, as there was a knock on the door. Looking down at my tank top and shorts, I walked quietly over to the door and opened it.

My mom with the twins in strollers was on the other side. Her face melted as I grabbed onto her as soon as I saw her. Tears falling down my cheeks as I held her close to me. She rubbed my back, "Oh baby," she whispered, "I'm sorry baby girl, I'm so sorry." I cried as my dad shuffled us into the hotel room. He took Lilly and Cam into the room as I wiped at my eyes. "Are you alright?" she asked looking me over. I shook my head and she nodded, "It's a stupid question, I'm sorry. Do you want me to go to the funeral?"

I nodded, as I couldn't speak, sobs overworked my system. She pressed my face into her shoulder like she did with the twins when they were younger. "Oh baby," I couldn't help but cry harder.

When I looked back, she wiped my eyes softly and she patted my leg. "I have to get the twins ready and everything, if they start getting fussy," I nodded as she squeezed my hand, "Okay," she gave a silent smile as words left my mouth. My stomach crawled and she kissed my forehead, "Just think of all of the happy memories, and just think of the happy memories"

I nodded my head and we all resumed getting ready. My mind wondered to Troy as I just wanted him right here. I wanted him to wrap his arms around my waist and pull me close. I wanted to take in his smell and to kiss him. The two months was suddenly getting to me, as I didn't know what to cry about anymore. I was crying over everything.

I longed for Will to pop up and say just kidding and I wish I could take that one moment back. My body wanted to just crawl into a corner and give up for the day. I was done.

Quietly, I slipped on my dress and heels. I pulled my hair on tightly and slipped a black headband through my hair and I tried to put on makeup but only cried as I did so. After giving up, I sat down on the bed as I fumbled with my phone. I had only called Troy once for my reasons since Will had…died. I couldn't even do it as I shook my head. Troy had probably called thousands of times.

Standing, I went to the other side of the room and I sat down. I couldn't bring myself to call him but I wanted to hear his voice. I know I would just start crying and I was trying to hold myself together.

"Are you alright?" my mom asked, she was an outfit close to mine. I shook my head, "No," I said quietly, "I'm sorry baby girl, I wish I could make this all go away, I wish I could."

I nodded and I looked at her, "I want Troy,"

"I know you do, I wish he could be here with you. He seems to know how to make all of this better." I gave a nod and she hugged me, "It's about time to go alright?" I nodded as we moved out of the room. The twins were dressed nicely and I clutched onto my dad. I had my purse and I picked up an extra jacket. Going through the lobby, my friends were all hanging around?

"Alright, let's go," my dad, said softly, we all got into the car. Silent. It was so silent. It was a car of black and grey. It was silent and cold. Everything we did wasn't right and I just closed my eyes.

My mom and the twins drove separate and followed us. The funeral home wasn't far and there was already a huge line of people outside waiting since they were having a visitation first. It was only to last an hour and half, we were a tad late. My body took small steps towards the line, everybody followed as nobody was talking.

"Man, Will was such an ass,"

My stomach clinched as I looked at the two males, "Always bangin our chicks," I felt my lip tremble as he wasn't like that at all. "Stop," I said to them, "Please just stop,"

"Are you his girlfriend," my dad took my arm gently, "Yea, go with daddy,"

"You two need to knock it off," my dad snapped, they both gave a glance and I walked off. I didn't want to hear anything about Will. I just wanted Will to be right here. The line moved with a fluent line and I looked at Mallory who was wrapped in Colin's arms. Brad was hugging Mallory. Jessie and Katie hugged each other. I held onto my dad and when we entered the air-conditioned building the air was still warm and stuffy.

People were sitting around as few rows were cleared. Will had one sibling, I don't know if he talked about him much but he was standing there, looking pissed. When we got to the front of the line, his mom took a glance at me and I blinked back tears. "I'm sorry," I began to say, "I'm sorry," she hugged me again, "Don't blame yourself Gabi,"

I shook my head, "I can't," she nodded and gave a brave smile, "You'll do fine, Will loved you and he will be looking down at you."

I nodded as I went to his dad and then over to his brother, "You're brother was so great," I said to him, he nodded as he turned swiftly, "I'm sorry," I choked, "You should be," he spat. I almost was stunned before I nodded, when I turned, Will's open casket was right there. His face had a scar over the top of his forehead, his face so pale and powdered over it almost didn't look right.

I closed my eyes tight as I turned and shook my head. My dad touched my shoulder, "Sweetie," I shook my head, "I can't,"

"It's okay, let's go take a seat," we were directed to a row in the back and we all sat down. Will. That wasn't my Will. A picture of him was posted, maybe from summer as he was on a boat. I tried to gain control of my body as I began to cry harder. My dad rubbed my shoulder.

My body was drained and I should have been out of tears. I shouldn't have any more tears left. Tears weren't supposed to be coming like this. Shaking my head and my dad rubbed my shoulder as the doors closed and music started.

For being out of town for two days, the funeral came together awful quick, a person spoke but I couldn't concentrate as I felt like my body was burning. I blinked and another person was speaking before his dad was up there.

"Will, Will was an amazing son. Going after his dreams and doing what he wanted. He had some of the greatest friends that he went to see all summer and I couldn't have asked for better support. Getting us flown in and out without a single strike of a card, helping his friends from New York get here and just being together. Those kids back there are going through such a hard time right now. They need prayers and so does our family, it's going to be hard moving forward without Will in our lives. He would have been twenty in less than a month. He was excited and he was just an excited person. His brother loved playing video games and it's just, it's going to be hard."

He stepped down and they sang another song before they had us get up and say our last goodbyes. They were having a private burial at another location, just family, they didn't want to make a big deal and it wasn't even going to be today since they were on short notice.

Our row got up and I walked up, opening my eyes as he was in a crisp tux, something he would have hated. I blinked back tears and I leaned forward as I kissed his cheek. His cold, pale, make-up cheek, "I love you Will, thanks for being that brother," my voice shook as I then began to cry harder. "I'm so sorry Will,"

My dad gently helped me move as I moved quicker outside. I began to sob as my dad caught up with me, I stumbled and he held on tight. "Alright, alright, take a breath, take a deep breath."

Following rules, he stroked my back, "Alright, come on, we are going back to his house."

Just letting go, I followed my dad and the next hour I could barely remember.

Sitting, I sipped on my water and took a bite of a cookie. I set it down as the clock ticked; it was quiet and silent around. Everybody was whispering and talking quietly. I felt frustrated and exhausted, as I wanted to be with Troy. Troy was all I could think about right now, Will was the other person I couldn't stop thinking about. Yet Troy was the one I wanted because every time I looked at Colin and Mallory, I could only think about how I wanted Troy to comfort me.

Blinking back tears, I walked to a picture and I smoothed my fingers of it. "Will talked about you a lot," I glanced back to see a girl, "I'm his ex," I nodded as I swallowed hard, "He always said he would date you but you already found the one and that's the only person you had eyes on. He loved you."

I nodded, "I loved him too." I choked quietly, "He was a good person."

I only nodded as she walked away. I couldn't do it anymore as I went and looked around. I saw my dad and his dad talking, my mom was playing with the twins and I then floated out of the house. I walked for a bit until I found a street and I called a taxi.

Waiting for a bit, I made sure I had my wallet and my phone as I checked to make sure Troy was in Arkansas. I needed Troy. I couldn't do this anymore, I was exhausted and I was hurting. I was hurting so bad. My energy was tired, my body felt like it was dying and it had been two months. It had been two months since my boyfriend had kissed me and hugged me and I needed it most now.

Once the taxi pulled around, I told him to take me to the airport. I didn't want to be here anymore. I haven't slept since the night before when Will held me in his arms. I just haven't been able to sleep.

The man dropped me off and I thanked him, going through the terminal, I went to the nearest desk and I asked for the next ticket out to North-West Arkansas which was only in thirty minutes, it was my luck as they were boarding.

Going through the security was easy; I went into the room as I basically walked on the plane with nothing. I had nothing but my phone and my I.d.

I had no plan. I had nothing but I just needed Troy. I took my seat next to the window, as the plane was barely half full. I wiped my eyes as I tried not to cry, leaning my head against the window I shook my head and cried.

Alex's POV

I glanced around the room once more, my eyes not finding Gabi. My stomach sank, as I didn't know where she was. I had no idea where she was. Walking across the room, I found Kylie, "Have you seen Gabi?" her head snapped up, "No, I thought she was next to you." I shook my head; "I haven't seen her in a while."

Kylie cursed, "No, I don't, have you tried calling her?"

"No. I thought she was still in the house," Mallory walked by me, Colin at her side, "Have you two seen Gabi?" they both looked alarmed, "No did she leave?"

I ran my fingers through my hair, "I think this was too much for her, she was sitting quietly and I knew she needed to leave." I pulled my phone out and tried to call her but it only went to voicemail. I started to panic, as I didn't want to worry anybody. I quietly walked through the house as I tried to find her but she wasn't popping up anywhere.

We all kept trying to call her as it was after dark, I don't know what mind state she is in but it's not a good one. Kylie gave me a worried glance and I finally looked at his mom and dad, which was about the hardest thing ever. "You guys haven't by chance seen Gabi? I can't find her,"

"No, I'm sorry, I wish she didn't blame herself."

"She feels bad, she was the last one," I muttered, I just wanted to find Gabi. My mind raced to Troy as I excused myself. I walked outside and I dialed Troy who was probably at the clubhouse, finishing night. "Hello?"

"Troy, you haven't heard from Gabi have you?"

"No," he paused, "Is she okay?"

I hesitated, "We can't find her, and I don't know where she went and her cell phone is off."

"I'll keep my eyes open or I mean my ears,"

"Whichever, if you get ahold of her, let me know, I'm a little worried,"

"Alex, how did today really go?" I sighed, "Troy, it was brutal. I have never seen her like that."

"I wish I could have been there,"

"She needed you."

He sighed, "I'll talk to you if I talk to her okay?"

"Thanks Troy,"

I hung up as I paced nervous. I didn't know where my daughter was, who just lost her best friend. I felt screwed.

Troy's POV

I laughed as Zack handed me a beer, I smiled as I took it from him and I let out a breath. "How is she?" I shrugged, "I haven't seen her in a little over two months, I haven't talked to her in such a long time of her laughing self, when she called me that night, I have literally never heard of how upset she was. She was so upset," I could shake the sobs that I heard from her end.

It was dark as the beers were going around, another win, "And now her dad can't find her, I'm like really, you can't find my girlfriend and we have called her to the point it's just shutting us off. I can't," I shook my head as I took a large drink of the beer. "She'll be okay man," I shrugged, "I wish I could say that but she had something about him she loved, that was her brother there and then she witnessed it."

"Wait, she was there?" I nodded, "She hasn't slept in days apparently because of nightmares, I can't imagine and I don't know when I will see her." Zack slapped my shoulder, "Gabi is one hell of a girl. She loves you and if she needs you she will come to you, she isn't going to let distance get away if she needs you."

"Her dad told me that she kept calling for us in her distraught sleep. Will and then me, she would then panic and scream. I don't know what to do." I rubbed my eyes with my palm and I cleared my throat as a yellow taxi pulled into the apartment lots, jokes of strippers rang out among the air. I stood as I refilled my beer and I then felt Zach laugh.

My mind traced to Gabi, she wasn't doing okay. I don't care who was talking to me, she was doing horrible, she couldn't even talk to me on the phone without breaking into sobs, and horrible sobs that made my head hurt.

"Dude," I glanced out of my trace as I felt my beer slip between my fingers. A distraught girl, wearing a tight black dress with a pair of black heels in her hand, her hair was free and I could see how red her eyes were from here. I jumped, pushing through the crowd, "Gabs?" she looked over at me and I felt my whole body release of emotion.

"Troy," her voice was soft and she stuttered, "Oh Brie," I stepped forward as I wrapped her in my arms. Her hurting sobs filled the air as I heard her heels hit the ground next to my foot. I felt tears catch in my eyes and I held her tight. "Oh baby," I whispered, I wrapped her tight. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry baby," her cries made my chest hurt.

"Come on," I picked her up and she wrapped her legs around me. It had been two months since my arms wrapped around her and I carried her into the apartments. Zack was in front of me as he held an empty elevator; she had uttered one word, my name. Her sobs made everything hurt. It made me want to crawl into a corner and cry with her.

When I got off the elevator, Zack opened the door for me and I thanked him. Carrying her to my room, I gently set her on the bed as I knelled in front of her. "Hi beautiful," she sobbed, "I just need two answers out of you and then I will hold you until you no longer have any tears left." She nodded her head and I wiped away a few tears. "Does anybody know you are here? I keep getting calls from people wondering if I have seen you or heard from you." She shook her head and I nodded, "Good, next question, do you have a bag of clothes?" she shook her head again. "Oh," I paused, as she was probably uncomfortable in her clothes.

"Okay, hang on," I stood up as I grabbed Zack, "Does one of your flings ever wear a sports bra?" I asked looking at him, he glanced at me and then he nodded, "No sorry, just take her bra off."

"She likes having a bra on,"

"I don't think she cares right now."

I nodded as I went back, grabbing one of my t-shirts and shorts. I shut my door as I went over, "Hey," she looked up as her brown eyes looked so tired and so upset. "I have some of my clothes, can you change yourself?" she nodded and I gave it to her. "Here," I pressed my clothes into her hand, I kissed her forehead softly and my fingers cupped her face.

"I love you,"

She gave a nod and I stood up, she walked off to the bathroom slowly, her heels looked in pain as I pulled up my cell phone. I dialed her dad, "Did you hear from her?" he asked, and "She is here."

"She is what?" he gaped, "I don't know how, I am not going to ask but she just showed up here a little less than fifteen minutes ago. She showed up with a phone, a wallet, and clothes she was wearing, I'll keep her safe."

"Sweet Jesus, thank you Troy,"

"No problem," I hung up the phone and I ran my fingers through my hair. I looked up and Gabi was standing there, drowning in my clothes, her body looking like it can break in half.

"Come here," she closed her eyes and I went over to her, her body collapsed down into mine and I kissed her forehead. Carrying her to my bed, I crawled in and I wrapped her in my arms. Her eyes were red and exhausted.

Holding her in my arms, I looked to see how upset she was. "Brie," I said softly, she didn't move, "You need some sleep,"

"I can't," she said hoarsely, "I have tried every night only to be awoken of the event happening again and again and again." Her voice was so monotone and exhausted. "And I see him die over and over again. I hear the words and now I just have the imagine of his dead body in my head and I can't do it."

I closed my eyes as I felt a few tears run down my own cheeks. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there today. I'm sorry I didn't let you come that one weekend, I'm sorry. This wasn't how we were supposed to see each other again."

She didn't say anything as she only buried her face into my shoulder. I rubbed her shoulder and I kissed her temple softly. My fingers found hers as I locked our finger together. "I tell you I love you because I mean it, not because I want to hear it in return because I need to because I know how much you love me but I'm going to tell you that I love you Brie and I'll be right here."

She squeezed my hand softly and I rested my chin against the top of her hair. I breathed in her wonderful scent of coconut. It was something I grown accustom too. The little lavender and coconut. It was such a beautiful smell.

When I realized her breathing evened out, that sleep over came her, I looked up at the door and Zack was standing there. "That's how she is doing then huh?" I rolled my eyes. "In the black glory and all," I muttered, "The guys are pretty worried down there."

"They didn't already hear?" I asked, "No, should I tell them?" I nodded, "So they know,"

"Alright, I'm going back down, call or text if you need me." I nodded again and I then just let my body rest with Gabi. I let my eyes wash over her and I kissed her softly once more. "Oh Brie," I whispered, "I love you."

Gabi is a hot mess! Boy but does Troy love her and all of you are concerned about the I love you to Will, it will be addressed in future chapters! Thanks for the love!

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