Taste like a Goodbye

My chest feels heavy.

The soles of my feet were numb from the frozen ground, I stumbled outside. Everything was covered in snow, my breath was heavy as I opened the gate. My fingers tightening on the old oak rail.

I bit my lip as I cried, Tsukasa siting in the snow beside under filled suitcases. Stepping closer as he sat motionless on the street curb, his left eye swollen shut. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt, his cold, bare arms were blistered with bruises.

"It's cold, Amane. Go inside."

I fell to my knees, embracing him from the behind, I fell to tears. Crying harder as I felt him shake with emotion- "Don't go," I sobbed.

Tsukasa bit his lip, his grabbing my risk as he fought back tears, "I don't want to," he cried. Turning to hug me back, we squeezed each other as we cried. It's my fault, if it weren't for me- he wouldn't have to go.

"Amane," my mother called.

With just the sound of her voice, I'm stricken with fear. Tsukasa pushed me away, wiping my eyes as snow collected on our heads.

"You'll get sick if you stay out here. Come back inside," she called to me extending her hand as she stood at the front door. Tsukasa turned away, once again sitting silently. I got off of my knees, "I love you, Tsukasa, I love you!" I sniffled taking steps back.

That was worse day of entire life.

Saying goodbye to my best friend.

I turned to my mother, watching her sit at the dining room table. This was a woman I use to fear.

"Here," I said setting down a cup of tea, she looked at me with kind eyes. "Thank you Amane, you're very sweet," she grinned, her hands thin and weak.

"Be a good boy and fetch the paper for me," she commanded.

"Yes mother," I sighed. That woman who use to be oh so scary, no reduced to skin and bones. This was Karma.

After what she saw me doing to Tsukasa, she made sure we'd never see each other again. Different rules, different beds- different lives.

I hadn't seen my twin for nearly three years, at 17 I was ready to go to college and be free of her- after she moved Tsukasa to leave with our grandparents, I hadn't so much as got a call from him.

I opened the front door, it's gonna be another hot summer.

I bend down, grabbing the news paper stooped on the door step. "The Godfather becomes a hit in the box office," I read. I couldn't help but smirk, this is something Tsukasa would have liked.

"Yeah right," I smiled opening the front door.

"Actually, it was a really good movie,"

That voice.

I turned around, and for a moment, time stopped. My twin straightening his the strap from his bag, standing behind the front gate as I glazed in awe.

"T-Tsukasa," I muttered with big eyes.

He exhaled, tossing his bag with a crooked grin "Awe, it's good to be home,"

Next Chapter:

The Taste of Milk