Chapter 2

"You could be happy" Jackson whispered softly.

"What are you talking about, I am happy!" Aaron lied perfectly. After all, he kept who he really was a secret for what felt like a lifetime, hiding his true feelings is like second nature to him now.

"I'm just saying"

Aaron knows what he is saying, he has been saying it forever, he just wished Jackson would stop talking. It's like he is on a continual loop, repeating the same sentences over and over, asking the same questions day after day!

Does Jackson not having anything new to say anymore?

The he realised.

He doesn't, he really doesn't. Jackson has threw every trace of his old life away. He doesn't have any contact with his friends, some by mutual decision, as they can't deal with the 'awkwardness' of the situation, but mostly down to him not wanting to see them.

Refusing to cut his hair, insisting on wearing clothes that were not his favourites and avoiding listening to music that held any significance to his former life.

Aaron was beginning to understand, he, was the only link to Jackson's past. The only connection to how Jackson used to feel, used to be. Jackson had erased his whole life time, taken it away, and tossed it in the trash.

And Aaron could feel himself slipping from Jackson's radar too. Slipping from his now lifeless hands, Jackson couldn't, and wouldn't hold onto him, he wanted to cut all ties with everyone he has ever loved. To save them from a life of misery, he didn't

want to burden anyone, he never has. It wasn't too late for them to start again, for Aaron to move on and experience new and exciting love...but it was too late for him, no one can save him.

"Go out, I will still be here when you get back" Jackson joked feebly.

"Don't say that, don't joke about it, this!

Come out tonight, I can manage your chair. Or if you prefer I could call Joe, he won't mind tagging?" Aaron asked optimistically, he lived in hope!

"Nah, I'm knackered"

"You slept in, again! You can't be knackered all the time" Aaron snapped, although holding himself back, but he could feel his resolve loosening with each passing day.

"I'm exhausted mentally Aaron, I'm tired of this" he snapped back, before sighing softly, his eyes looking around the room, anywhere but him.

Aaron dropped himself into the chair beside his bed, frustration getting the better of him, resting his head into his hands for a moment, before looking up to see him.

Jackson was staring up, staring into space, not bothering to fight it, he was too tired, god, he wasn't strong enough to hold them back, he let the tears go, just like he let his life go, he didn't want it anymore, not now, not now it is broken.

"Jay, is it me? Am I doing this to you, I never make you happy, not anymore" Aaron whispered regretfully.

Aaron wanted a lot of things, but making Jackson happy was the one thing he wanted most of all, above anything else.

Jackson deliberated, should he tell Aaron the truth, would the truth set him free, them both Free?

Before he knew what he was saying, the truth, came pouring out of his mouth.

"I'm ready" He murmured, too low for Aaron to catch.

"You what"

"I'm ready now" he said slightly louder.

"You're ready, ready for what?" Aaron asked confused.

The tears, flowing stronger, falling faster down his cheeks.

"I'm ready for you to let me go.

For all of you, to let me go. I'm ready now" His voice, quivering as he spoke.

Aaron, stood still, his words not registering, he couldn't understand, he didn't want to understand.

But Jackson's eyes, his hollow, hazel eyes, created the writing on the wall. Aaron could see now, crystal clear, is what as if Jackson was made of glass.

Aaron did not speak, did not move, he couldn't, he couldn't even breathe properly! He just thought. Thinking about how, Jackson doesn't see what he sees anymore. To be honest, Aaron doesn't see what he saw anymore, Jackson isn't the same man, he's beginning to see that now.

"I'm setting you free Aaron, to do as you want, to do as you please, without me, without the guilt, without thinking your betraying me.

But I'm asking, for you to let me go, I don't wanna be here anymore.

I don't belong here, not like this. I should have died in the accident" Jackson cried softly.

Aaron had suddenly found his voice, now it was his turn to speak.

"YOU SELFISH, SELFISH PRICK! HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT, WHAT ABOUT YOUR MUM, WHAT ABOUT FUCKING ME, YOUR NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS SUFFERING , YOUR MUM'S IN BITS, I FEEL LIKE I'M CONSTANTLY WALKING ON EGG SHELLS TO TRY AND PLEASE YOU, ALL WE WANT IS TO TRY AND MAKE YOU HAPPY! BUT EVERYTHING WE DO ISNT GOOD ENOUGH, YOU DONT EVEN TRY! YOU'VE LOST ALL YOUR FIGHT, YOUR NOT THE SAME MAN, MY JACKSON WOULDNT HAVE GIVEN UP ON LIFE.

MAYBE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE BEST IF YOU DID DIE IN THE ACCIDENT, BECAUSE YOU'RE A STRANGER FOR ALL WE KNOW OF YOU NOW"

Aaron stormed out of the house, leaving an already broken Jackson to shatter into a million irreparable pieces. The truth didn't bring him closer to what he wanted, it just made him, even more sad, killing him on the inside.

But don't worry, because he never felt a thing.