The next morning, Noodle woke up earlier than usual. She climbed out of bed and went to the living room to watch some cartoons. ABout half way through an episode of Spongebob, she heard a fierce argument break out.
"MOM, YOU AREN'T MAKING ANY SENSE!" She heard 2D yell.
"YOU NEVER MAKE ANY SENSE!" Rachel's voice was almost a growl, which made it sound vicious and threatening.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?"
"YOU DO STUPID AND RECKLESS THINGS WITHOUT EVEN THINKING!"
"THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT!"
"SUICIDE!? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR THAT!?"
By now, everyone in the house was wide awake, waiting for 2D's explanation.
No one knew if it was the way he said it, or simply because he said it at all, but nobody in the house was prepared for this.
"BECAUSE I WISH I WAS DEAD, I HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR! I'M PATHETIC, AND I CAN'T FUCKING TAKE IT ANYMORE!" He then stormed out of his room, pushed past Murdoc and Russell, who had listened in from the hallway, got into geep, and drove away.
Noodle jumped to her feet, and ran to Russell.
"Where Toochi go!?" She exclaimed.
"Dunno, but don't worry, we'll find him, right guys?" Russell turned to David and Murdoc, who nodded and went to their cars.
"Noods, you stay here with Rach, okay?" Russell patted the girl's head and went to join the other men.
Noodle stayed put as they drove away, then quickly made her way to 2D's room. Rachel was sitting on the singer's bed, crying her eyes out.
"This is all my fault!" She sobbed.
Not knowing what to say or do, Noodle went back to her room, fell on her bed, and cried herself into a nap. When she woke up, she heard frantic yelling from the kitchen.
"Stuart, where were you!? The boys searched for hours for you! What possessed you to leave like that!?" Noodle could hear Rachel argue, but much to her surprise, 2D didn't say a word.
The next thing the ten-year-old heard was a few foots steps. She froze when the door to her room slowly opened. Noodle pretend to still be asleep, but who ever walked into her room was convinced other wise. The faint smell of butterscotch told the asian girl who had entered her room.
"I'm sorry for all of this...I don't even know if you can understand half of what I'm saying to you, but I really am sorry...I wish I could take this all away for you, and I'm sorry you had to see half of what you saw...You're so young, you shouldn't have to go through this...Nood's I know you're awake."
Noodle rolled over to see 2D sitting next to her bed. His face was red from tears, and he looked tired.
"Toochi." She said softly.
"Noods, I didn't mean anything I said before, I only left 'cause I couldn't take it all back."
"Toochi." Noodle said again.
"I live because of you, that's what I have to live for." 2D continued, but Noodle cut him off.
"TOOCHI!"
"What?"
Noodle threw her arms around her friend and hugged him as long as she could. She noticed something.
He felt cold, like the he did the hours before she found him unconscious just a few days before.
Why was that?