Chase's POV (seventeen years later):
"Chase, it's time to get ready for school!" My big brother, Blake, yelled up the stairs. I blearily stumbled out of bed, got dressed for school and stumbling down the stairs.
"Are you driving me today, Blake?" I asked.
"Yes, Chase." Blake answered, picking up my backpack from the base of the staircase. Our parents were gone, as usual, taking a vacation in the Virgin Islands. I missed them, but it gave me more time to spend with my older brother, and we always had fun. Blake would drive me to and from school, we'd come home and I'd do homework, then we'd watch a movie. Sometimes I'd catch Blake looking at me with sadness in his eyes, but it always disappeared as quickly as I'd noticed it.
"Blake-why don't you date anyone?" I inquired.
"Well, Chase…I did have a girlfriend who I really loved, once. Her name was Lily-she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever met." Blake answered.
"What happened, Blake?" I asked.
"Well, she died." Blake said.
"I'm sorry, Blakey." I whispered.
"Its fine, Chase. I still have a part of her with me, always." Blake said, smiling at me.
"What do you mean, Blake?" I asked.
"Well, it's complicated, Chase. I'll tell you when you're older." Blake replied.
"Blake-when are Mom and Dad coming home?" I inquired. I noticed a shudder run through Blake when I called them Mom and Dad, but it was probably because he doesn't get along with them.
"They're coming home on Saturday, Chase." Blake responded.
"Blake...can I stay home today?" I whispered.
"Do you not feel well, Chase?" Blake asked.
"Yeah, I don't." I said.
"Alright, Chase." Blake said, and I trudged up the stairs and changed back into my pajamas. I lay down on my bed, and picked up the book, The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan. I fell asleep with the book in my hands, and woke up to Blake taking the book and putting it on my bedside table.
"Chase, I'm going out for a while. Call me if you need anything, okay?" Blake said.
"Sure, Blake. Love you." I replied.
"Love you too, Chase." Blake said, and walked out the door. I waited until I heard the car door slam, and then got up and wandered into Blake's bedroom. His room was neat, as always. I noticed a box poking out from under the bed, and I got on my knees and dragged it out. I opened it to see what was inside, and found a photo album. I sat on Blake's bed and opened it, knowing that looking at his things was wrong, but I was really curious. On the first page of the photo album, there was a picture of a young girl holding a baby. Standing next to her was a younger, happier looking version of my brother. I took the photograph out and flipped it over. Written on the back was, 'Lily and I with our son, April 30th.' I flipped through the rest of the photo album, which was full of pictures of my brother and his son. I heard the front door slam and hastily shoved everything back in the box and back under the bed. I scrambled to get back to my bedroom before Blake came upstairs. Running down the hall, I tripped and slammed into the railing.
"Chase? Are you okay?" Blake called up the stairs.
"I'm fine, Blake." I yelled back, and went downstairs.
"Blake…how did Lily die?" I asked. A flicker of pain crossed Blake's face, but then was gone as quickly as it was there.
"She had a heart attack." Blake said.
"Did you have a baby?" I inquired.
"What? Why would you ask that, Chase?" Blake said.
"Just curious, Blake." I replied.
"You found the box on my bed, didn't you, Chase?" Blake asked.
"Yeah, I did. I'm sorry." I whispered.
"It's fine, Chase." Blake replied.
"What happened to the baby?" I asked.
"He's still alive. Lily died after she gave birth, but our son was born healthy, and he still is healthy." Blake answered.