Two weeks passed since the friends discussed schools at Relena's home. The school year was coming to an end and the seniors were hyped up on their upcoming graduation.
"Wow Tro!" Catherine beamed. "You actually look…nice. But you know what colors are right?"
Trowa was wearing black pants with a deep gray dress-shirt. His tie and shoes were black as well to go with his black cap and gown. He rolled his eyes. "Cathy, I am wearing colors." Trowa said sarcastically. "You're just color-blind."
The girl scrunched up her nose and blew him a raspberry.
"Where's Quatre?" the unibanged boy asked, taking note of his friend's absence.
"Oh. He came down earlier than you. He said that you'd know where to find him." Catherine said, placing a finger on her temple. "He said he had to think about something before you guys took off."
"Oh. Okay. You, Mark and Dad will be there right?"
"Of course we will, dummy. We're waiting for Dad. Go before you're late. We'll be right behind you."
"All right. Later." Trowa made his way to the door where he bumped into Catherine's fiancé, Mark.
"Oh, hey Trowa. Congratulations." He smiled. "Finally out of high school."
"Yup. Thanks for coming, Mark, but did you really have to bring Cathy?"
"I heard that!" Catherine called from the other room. Mark chuckled.
"I gotta go. I'll see you guys in a bit." Trowa waved before heading out into his car. He hopped over the door, started the engine, and zoomed over to the elementary school where he knew Quatre was waiting.
Trowa decided to leave his cap and gown in the car and strolled over to his and Quatre's spot. When he got there, he saw the gown lying over a branch with its matching cap lying on top of it. A small piece of paper fell onto Trowa's head that read, "Look up silly."
Trowa smiled as he looked up. "How do you always seem to get my head?"
"Luck?" Quatre smiled back. He was wearing the same as Trowa except he was wearing blue instead of black and white instead of gray.
Trowa began to climb up to the branch Quatre was sitting on. "So, what did you have to think about?" He asked the blonde, taking his usual seat next to him.
Quatre sighed and looked out into the distance. "Iria and Tom want me to join them in New York. They want me to get a general feel of the area before school starts."
Trowa looked down. "That means…"
"I won't be able to stay this summer." Quatre finished. He looked up at Trowa and gave a slight smile to assure the boy. "I leave next week."
"That's so soon. That's hardly any time to say goodbye."
"I know. But I don't want to argue with them. They've done so much for me already. If I ask to stay, it'll seem like I'm ungrateful." Quatre sighed and looked away again. "But that's not the problem…" he whispered.
Trowa looked at Quatre, concern washed over his face. "Quatre, what is it?"
"It's nothing really. Just a feeling I've been having for a while now." Quatre smiled at Trowa. "Shall we go?"
"Yeah…"
The two climbed down the tree with ease from much practice. Trowa turned to lead the way out when Quatre grabbed his arm. Trowa spun around to face the boy.
"Promise me something, Trowa…" Quatre said, barely above a whisper. "Promise me that you'll be careful tonight…" Quatre's aqua eyes boring deep into Trowa's emerald eyes waiting for an answer.
"Quatre…"
"Promise me." Quatre said, urgently, shaking Trowa's arm slightly.
"I promise."
Quatre released his grip on Trowa and walked out of the spot without saying another word.
* * *
The whole graduation process was long, filled with speeches, one being from Wufei as the valedictorian, and awards to all the honor students in each subject. Wufei and Dorothy were awarded for their excellent performance in debate class, Sally, Duo and Relena for science, Heero for mathematics, Trowa for art, and Quatre for music. After all the diplomas were handed out, everyone left the auditorium to meet up with family members and friends to take pictures.
Relena decided to throw a party at her house so she invited everyone she knew plus a few more that she didn't. Being in a secluded area on the hill, there were no neighbors to complain about the noise level while music and laughter flowed throughout the house.
Trowa was having a great time dancing with Dorothy when someone caught his eye. He had messy red hair that fell over his face and held a piercing gaze directly at Trowa. The boy's lips curled into a malicious grin as Trowa's eyes locked with the boy.
"Richie?" Trowa mumbled to himself.
"What?" Dorothy said, looking up at her boyfriend.
"Huh?" Trowa looked at the girl then looked back up to where the boy was only to see that he had disappeared. "Sorry." Trowa said looking back at Dorothy. "I thought I saw someone I knew."
* * *
Quatre was busy talking to Heero by the bar when someone came up and tapped him on his shoulder. Quatre turned with a smile on his face, only to gasp at whom he saw before him.
"Hello. Nice to see that you remember me."
"Richie?"
Richie just smiled. "I need to have a little talk with you, Quatre. I mean, it's been soooo long."
"Quatre, who's this?" Heero turned in his stool to look at the red headed boy.
"This is Richie. Richie, this is Heero. Richie used to live here a few years ago."
"Hello." Richie smiled, extending a hand out to Heero.
Heero eyed the boy suspiciously before shaking his hand. "Hello."
"Come Quatre. There's so much I need to tell you." The red head said turning back to Quatre.
"Uh, okay…" Quatre followed Richie through the crowd.
Heero watched them carefully until Duo came up a planted a kiss on his cheek and took the seat that was previously occupied by Quatre.
"Hey Heero. What're we watching?" Duo asked taking a sip of the beer in his hand.
"I don't trust that guy…" Heero growled.
"Who? What guy?" Duo said, searching the crowd.
Trowa and Dorothy came up, breathless from all the dancing.
"Hey guys. What's up?" Dorothy asked, reaching for Duo's beer and taking a gulp.
"Heero's glaring at someone. I don't know who though."
Trowa looked around. "Hey Heero, wasn't Quatre with you a second ago?"
"Yeah. He went off with that guy."
"What guy?" Duo asked a little aggravated.
"He said his name was Itchy or something."
"Richie?" Trowa felt his chest tighten.
"Yeah. That was it. He said he had a few things to say to Quatre."
"Where'd they go?"
"Somewhere that way." Heero pointed in the direction Richie and Quatre had gone.
"Trowa, what's wrong? Is there something we should know?" Dorothy looked into Trowa's eyes, her own filled with concern.
"Richie used to be my best friend in elementary. I honestly don't think Quatre should be alone with him."
"Why?" Duo asked, getting up from his stool.
Trowa furrowed his brows. "Richie shouldn't be trusted."
"I knew it." Heero got up.
Trowa turned and began to hurry through the crowd to find Quatre and Richie. Heero, Duo, and Dorothy were right behind him.
"I think we should split up." Duo called.
"All right. Dorothy, come with me. You two go that way." Trowa nodded in another direction. The four split into two groups while the pain in Trowa's chest grew stronger with each passing second.
* * *
"So, Richie, what did you want to talk about?" Quatre asked, feeling awkward with where Richie had brought them.
The two were in a small sitting room. There were no people in the room and the music was muffled behind the closed door. Richie was facing Quatre, who was standing on the opposite side of the room.
"Do you know why I moved, Quatre?"
Quatre shook his head. "No…"
"Of course you don't. I didn't feel comfortable here anymore. I convinced my parents to let me stay with my aunt and her fifty cats. Anything was better than here. Everyone hated me here. And it was all your fault. But now I'm back." Richie smiled. "Before I left, I told you that you're gonna get what you deserved. And now you will." Richie reached behind him when the door burst open.
"Quatre!" Trowa called panting from his search. Dorothy came in right after him.
Quatre and Richie looked at the two in surprise. When Richie realized that it was Trowa, he glared back at Quatre, pulled out the gun from behind his back and aimed it at the blonde.
"NO!" Trowa screamed. He made a run for Quatre, knocking the blonde to the ground as Richie pulled the trigger.
Quatre watched in horror as Trowa took the shot just below his shoulder blade. He turned to look at Richie who had the gun raised to his head. Richie closed his eyes before pulling the trigger once more. Quatre was stunned at what he just witnessed. He hurried over to Trowa who was holding his wound, doubled over. Dorothy was at the door screaming her head off.
"Trowa! Trowa, are you okay?" Quatre held the taller boy. "Dorothy! DOROTHY!" Quatre hollered. Dorothy whimpered and looked at Quatre. "Go call an ambulance!!" She nodded with tears in her eyes and dashed away from the room.
Quatre carefully laid Trowa down, supporting the taller boy's head in his lap. "Trowa, hang on." Quatre felt the tears wash over his face. "The ambulance is coming and-and then it'll all be okay."
"Are you…okay?" Trowa grimaced.
"Don't worry about me. Just save your energy and hold on. Okay?"
"Quatre…it hurts…" Trowa's sight blackened out. He heard his name being repeated over and over again before he fell into unconsciousness.
Author's Notes/Disclaimer: You know the drill.
It's now time to promote my other story entitiled "This Is My Goodbye". Please read it and send me a review.
As for this fic, please keep the questions and comments coming. Thanks.