A/N: It's been QUITE a while since my last update. I got rather discouraged…but anyway, you all have PainbehindHeart to thank for encouraging me to write more!
Disclaimer: Lyrics used in this chapter are from "Taking Over Me" by Evanescence.
You don't remember me, but I remember you
I lie awake and try so hard not to think of you
But who can decide what they dream?
And dream I do…
"Excuse me."
Laine jerked awake suddenly, her headphones falling off of her head and onto the blue flooring.
"I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, awfully embarrassed. She realized that she had been leaning against the ruffled-looking blonde man next to her. He mumbled something and waved his hand, dismissing her apology. Then he settled back into his seat, flipping though a catalog. Laine bent over to pick up her headphones, then her eyes flicked over her in-flight neighbor. He was slightly pudgy, not in a pre-pubescent way, but just a little around his waist. His hair was also thinning, but not drastically. In other words, Laine could tell that he once was very good looking, but was no longer in his prime.
Sighing, she replaced her headphones and attempted to watch the movie that was beginning on the small screen in front of her, some strange movie involving an awkward looking boy with messy black hair. But her eyes kept wandering over the stranger sitting to her right. He looked so familiar…
"R—" Laine's voice died in her throat. "Ryan?" she squeaked.
Turning and looking startled and bemused, the man replied, "Who? Ryan?"
Immediately flushing, Laine uttered, "No, I just—no, nothing. Never mind," and started to unbuckle her safety belt. She wanted to run to the bathroom. How could she have been so stupid? Of course he wasn't Ryan; how many blonde men were there in the world? Stupid, stupid, stu—
"Wait." The man looked interested now, almost concerned. "Did you know Ryan? He was my brother."
"Oh, my God. Willy? I'm Laine Cummings, I dated Ryan, do you remember?" Laine was so surprised to see Willy that she completely blew the cover of "Lisa" she had held for so long. She remembered Willy. He was Ryan's older brother, older by 11 years, actually. Willy was just as handsome as Ryan, with the same golden hair, clear blue eyes, and easy smile. Laine could tell that Willy remembered her too, his eyes lit up and he nodded.
Willy grimaced. "Please," he said, chuckling. "Call me Will. I dropped the "y" as soon I got into college. You can imagine why."
Laine laughed too. "Wow, Will. I haven't seen you in…forever. How have you been?" Then something hit her, something that had nagged at her, but had been muffled in her surprise to see Will. He was just about to answer, but she cut him off. She knew it was rude, but she had to get it out. "Wait, why did you say Ryan was your brother?" A sinking feeling was pulling at her heart; she thought she already knew.
Will's smile faded and his eyes grew dim. "But…you don't know? Ryan…he died." Seeing the shocked look on Laine's face, he added, "It's already been…oh, I don't know…almost 10 years, I guess."
"Wha—what happened?"
Now Will looked uncomfortable. "Oh, God. I never thought I would have to explain it to you, Laine. You remember that girl, Liz? After she died, he changed. He quit playing football. He stopped going out. And then…when you disappeared…" Will stopped short. "Hey! Where have you BEEN all this time? Everyone thinks you're dead!"
"Please, Will. I'll explain everything. Just tell me about Ryan," Laine begged.
Reluctantly, Will started up again. "All right…so…well, when you disappeared, Ryan went into his room and hardly ever came out again. A few nights after you were gone, we found him in the bathroom. He went in, saying he was taking a shower…" Will gulped here. Laine could tell it was hard for him to go on, but he continued. "…and he hung himself. From the shower rod. He left a short note…it said "I caused her death. I caused her death. I deserve to die."
A/N : R & R, as per usual!