Previously on 'The Night We Met': "See you guys at school" Kyle rambled before zooming off. Kyle settled down on his bed placing a tape in the walkman, putting earbuds in and pressing play lightly, when her voice came through, Kyle shut his eyes to keep in the pain and loss and everything...everything.

No return engagements, no encore and this time absolutely no requests. Get a snack, settle in-because I'm about to tell you the story of my life, more specifically why my life ended. And if you're listening to this tape, you're one of the reasons why.

CHAPTER 2: The Beginning Of The End

I've been searching for a trail

to follow

again, oh take me back to the night

we met

Kyle's eyes opened in a flash with his blood turning cold at her unmistakeably clear words. He was one of the reasons why, his mind raced, how? What did he do and why can't he understand her or this or what she did? Why can't he feel how she felt? The Walkman suddenly felt heavy in his numb hands as he unpaused the tape to let Sophia continue talking, it kind of felt like she was with him. He could practically see her long blonde hair tucked behind her cute pierced ears, wearing an oversized sweater with knee high boots-so careless. Free. Is that what death was? Liberty? It couldn't be, that's how she was when she was alive.

I'm not saying which tape brings you into the story but fear not, if you received this lovely little box your name will pop up. I promise. Anyway, the rules here are pretty simple, there are only two.

"Okay" he replied as if she were talking to him. She isn't here Kyle, sorry.

One, you listen. And two, you pass it on. Hopefully neither one will be easy-its not supposed to be easy or I would've emailed you an MP3 so when you're done listening to all 13 sides-because there are 13 sides to every story-rewind the tapes but them back in the box and pass them on. Oh, and the box of tapes should have included a map. I'll be mentioning several spots around town; I can't force you to visit them but if you'd like a little more insight, head for the stars. Or you know just throw the map away and I'll never know...or will I?

Kyle got up and got to his trusty bike, hopped on and began riding...where? The first spot of course. His heart thumped against his chest like a bird trying to break from a cage-his mind jumbled possibilities of what he did to Hannah, why was he on there? All he could picture was he plump lips showing her pearly whites as she threw her head back in laughter, her dazzling blue eyes searching for him in the crowd.

You see, in case you're tempted to break the rules, understand I did make a copy of these tapes and I left them with a trusted individual who, if this package doesn't make it to the next person, will release those copies in a very public manner. This was not a spur of the moment decision-do not take me for granted again.

"What the fuck Soph?" Kyle shouted before the blaring of a horn knocked him clean off of his bike so he fell into a curb head first, "Fuck!" he cussed watching the car speed off ominously, he touched his head gingerly to find a gash with oozing blood. He growled getting back on his bike-determined to let Sophia be heard. At least by him. He came to a stop at a familiar house-where did he remember it from?

You've arrived at my house, where I threw a party...well lots of parties. All with terrible consequences, which brings us to the first subject of this tape: Max Steel. Max, you were in love with drink, the bad and everything rad. You were the beginning of the end.

1MAY 2017, SOPHIA'S FIRST HOUSE PARTY

"Hey lover boy!" a voice yelled from the bottom of Kyle's window. He stuck his head out curiously and beamed when he saw the Hick's brothers in their truck waiting for him with a six pack of awful tasting beer and charming all american smiles. "C'mon Handsome I wanna see ya pretty face!" Owen said in a girlish voice hanging out the car window. Kyle rushed downstairs only to bump into his father-great.

"Going out?" was all he said. Kyle nodded with a gulp, his dad scratched his stubble where the scar was situated at the dimple of his chin, "we won't be here when you get back...we're leaving for a few months Kyle" His Dad said emotionlessly. Kyle sighed dipping his head but sucked back in his disappointment.

"You coming back?" Kyle asked every time because sometimes...the parents that should love him, the parents he loved-the way they looked at him, he knew they didn't want to come back. His dad didn't answer just wondered back into the lounge where his mother was on the couch staring blankly at the TV. Kyle bounded down the steps glad to be getting away from his house-the boys all cheered when they saw him.

"The prodigal son appears!" William said jokingly. Kyle rolled his eyes with a smirk.

"That's a big word for you Willy" Kyle jostled back cracking laughter from all the brothers whilst William raised an eyebrow-Becks drove somewhat safely to the front of Sophia's house; music was loud, rubbish outside, kids laughing and stone. Classic party stuff. Kyle ran his fingers through his hair nervously when he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. By now Owen, James and William had piled out-he turned and saw it was Becks.

"s'a party, notta court hearin, everyone loves ya Kid-especially Sophia" Becks winked before getting out too. Kyle smiled to himself before getting out and entering Sophia's party, the music was loud but not ear bleedingly loud, drinks were good despite everyone being too young to acquire the nice stuff, the smell of weed drifted through the lounge but other rooms were totally clean smelling.

"Is Kyle here?" Sophia's voice filtered into his ears, standing in the doorway of the kitchen he watched as Owen hugged Sophia along with William and James who kissed the side of her head; Becks slipped past Kyle picking up Sophia and spinning her around, "Becks!" she squealed happily.

"Kyle is in fact here, relax Bella" Becks said to Sophia his loving Italian nickname for her. She spotted Kyle and pulled him into a tight hug to which he smelt her perfume which was so distinctive-sweet. Always sweet scented.

"Wow, Kyle finally came to one of my parties! Have I reached peak popularity?" Sophia asked filling up the brothers a drink each knowing exactly what each of them liked and how they liked it served. I smiled shaking my head, "no? Dammit" she said smirking at my nervousness, she handed me a drink which I drank thankfully.

"Parties aren't my scene, too many drunk girls, stoned boys and bad headaches" Kyle said dramatically joking around. Sophia giggled to herself shaking her head in disbelief at what he was saying. "What?" he chuckled just because she was. Becks was talking to his girlfriend in the corner whilst Owen was watching them like a drama show, William was smoking a splif and James was chugging a keg by the sounds of it.

"So, basketball popular hot guy who doesn't like parties? I thought you were extinct!" Sophia faked surprised before downing the rest of her drink in two impressive gulps.

"Endangered not extinct" he corrected. She smirked eyeing him curiously, she fixed his collar so she was staring into Kyle's eyes longingly and Sophia swear she could see her future all in his gaze. They were interrupted by loud cheers from outside followed by laughter, they all ventured outside to see Max Steel and Connor Price. They were pouring beer on each other childishly and Sophia cocked an eyebrow seemingly not entertained.

"Definitely endangered, muscles" Sophia whispered to Kyle cheekily. Connor and Max stopped what they were doing when they saw Sophia standing there, "huh" Sophia murmured. Max grinned toothily and winked her way. Kyle rolled his eyes and wandered back into her house grabbing a keg and chugging with James.

That smile, that damned smile. Who knew a smile could end a lifetime of happiness?

Kyle snapped into reality with Sophia's sarcastic comments, sure Sophia was sardonic in a funny way but this Sophia was bitter in her sarcasm...angry. Well she's dead, can't feel anything when you're dead-right? Kyle flipped the tape over to side B to listen to the rest of Max's tape begrudgingly. Kyle pressed play watching a drop of blood fall onto the tape; did these tapes just attract fucking bad shit?

A smile got me talking to one of the most popular boys in school, didn't it Max? And I liked you, a lot because that night you didn't get stoned or so drunk you passed out-you showed me a version of you...one of the many I saw during the end of my life. And of course, like all american teen romance movies, we kissed...that's it. We kissed.

Kyle's blood boiled at the thought of another's hands roaming Sophia's body. Her moaning another boy's name when he had no right to make her do that! Kyle calmed down his temper remembering what everyone said about that night when Max and Sophia kissed.

You're probably thinking, 'they just kissed?'.

Kyle clamped his eyes shut painfully at the memory of the rumours, the things he thought were true and the things he got angry about. Was that why he was on these tapes? Because he believed those stupid rumours which were of course not true because Sophia wasn't like that. Kyle knew that now, but what's the use of now? She isn't in the now. "Ky?" Owen's concerned voice made Kyle pause the tapes and yank the earbuds from his cold ears, he saw the brothers standing in front of their truck with the headlights on full beam.

"uh hey guys" Kyle fumbled with the tapes the adrenaline coursing through his veins from just hearing her voice. "What are you doing out here?" he asked tilting his head casually. James smiled a small one before sitting on the bench next to him.

"finding out which tape you're listening to" James said looking at Sophia's house which was still lit up despite the late hour, her parents probably can't sleep. Kyle stared at the brothers wide eyed-they must be the trusted individuals that Sophia left the tapes with! Of course her childhood friends wouldn't be on there...would they? Kyle showed him which tape he was on and James raised his eyebrows surprised. "Tape 1 Side B?" James said aloud.

"I got through em in a night Ky, why you stallin?" Owen speculated with a raised eyebrow yet kind eyes he always wore. Before Kyle could answer William interjected with a gruff voice.

"Can't handle it? Well you're on there Griffiths" William sneered his last name, "find out how you killed her" he added gruffly. Becks shoved him into the car roughly, William's voice never used to sound like that, it used to be boyish and lively-always making jokes and enjoying the banter he received from his older brothers him being the youngest followed by Owen then James then Becks.

"Shut up Willy" Becks snapped slamming the car door shut. "It's hard listenin to her voice, I know kid. But ya gotta know the truth" Becks confessed with sad eyes that seemed more tired than usual; his hands worn down and body drooping-the body of someone who was exhausted. "That my walkman?" Becks said and Kyle nodded not really worrying about getting in trouble right now. James tensed waiting for Becks to fly off the handle. "Keep it, gonna need it kid" Becks sniffed before gesturing to Owen and James that they were leaving. Kyle pressed play and listened to Sophia's words carefully crafted by her blooming soul crushed by a knife and pills.

'they just kissed?'. Why, did you hear something else?