The gun was there, but who pulled the trigger? - Tyler Lace (the dot read aloud txt) 📗

The One And Only

Alex gave another glance at the clock, his pale fingers drumming against the surface. He gave another glance towards the rest of the class as they talked and examined the fear in their eyes. The full fear. For the entire day he had been feeling the fear, but not for the same reason. Not for the stupid maths test. He had been thinking about what had happened that day five years ago-

"Alex! Are you listening!" His eyes shot up and met with the teachers.

"Yes Miss. Sorry Miss."

She nodded and continued talking about the homework due as she filed the tests she had received in her hands, before piling them on the table. Her speech was cut short as the sound of the bell went off, causing a knot in the blue haired boy. With a shaky breath, he fully snapped out of his thoughts, and followed after the hoard of students.

The wind was cold. He gave up on keeping his hair from his eyes as he stood by the familiar, tall tree, the only one in the haunting field.

"Tom passed his maths test. It was the happiest I've seen my brother," he stated. "He wanted me to thank you for helping him with it. He was really grateful."

A smile passed on his lips as he remembered his brother jumping for joy, holding the test in front of Alex's face.

"Jane and Kyle finished their preparations. Still can't believe they're only a year older and are getting married." He chuckled, though it was half-hearted. "They were sad when I told them I wasn't going, though. I don't feel like going."

The boy glanced up, seeing green eyes, an amused expression, and black hair. His heart felt heavy as he shook his head. "You promised, you know. You said you wouldn't leave without a goodbye." He had to pause.

---

He held on to the hand so tightly his knuckles almost matched the white sheets. "You cry a lot," a voice breathed, earning a small smirk from the boy with dark hair.

"Only for you."

"You're so sappy." The boy with jet black hair looked up at the one sitting by his bed, a small smile creeping its way on his lips. He reached up, playing with a strand of the dark hair from the other. "You should dye it again, Alex."

Alex frowned slightly, but it quickly faded at the sight of his partner smiling slightly as his hand dropped and he closed his eyes, leaning back. He looked so at peace. It seemed so odd, not to say the expression didn't suit him. "Why?"

"You need bright hair," he said as if it were a fact, though his voice was near expressionless.

"Green?"

"No."

"Purple?"

"No."

"Red?"

"Nope."

"You're leaving me out of options."

"You've done all those."

"Well, what do you suggest?"

The other boy opened one eye, focusing on Alex. "Blue."

"Blue? Kay, since when do you like blue?" he asked, sarcasm seeping through his speech.

Kay smiled again, closing both his eyes once more. "That's not the only reason. Blue would suit you."

"In the same way black suits you." He stopped as Kay coughed slightly. "You're a critic."

"Just because I don't like bright hair on me doesn't mean I won't like it on you," he said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah sure."

Silence fell on the two for what felt like hours, but it was only minutes. Alex had the question on the tip of his tongue. But, he just couldn't say it.

Kay noticed the boys closed off expression and sighed. "What is it?"

Alex looked at the boy, but his eyes trailed down to the hand below his, as he took a breath. "Why did you do it?"

Kay's eyes closed again. He was so tired. "Do what?"

"You know what I mean. Why did you do what you did? What made you do it?"

Green eyes stared at the ceiling, seeing the drapes, from the corner of his eye, flying carelessly in the afternoon breeze. "The gunman was going to shoot you. What did you expect me to do?"

"Not let him get you," the dark haired boy snapped. "That wasn't fair!"

"I had no choice."

Alex seemed to be keeping his anger under control, his face flushed as he squeezed Kay's hand tighter. "What would I have done without you?"

"The same goes for me. I wouldn't of been able to live with myself, knowing that I could of saved you."

The boy seemed to take that into account, looking back down at the hand.

"How's Charlie?" he asked, changing the subject. He was always good at that.

"He fell into cardiac arrest."

"It's that bad, huh?"

Alex just nodded. Silence fell in the room again.

"Can you promise me something?"

"Hm?" Kay had closed his eyes again, his face relaxing.

"You won't leave?"

"What do you mean?"

"They told you you may fall into a coma. They told us too." Kay sighed. "I know you said for them not to. But they spilled it." He met the boy's open eyes as he looked away from his hand. He knew what he was asking for was a tad farfetched. Kay never liked promises, he thought they were pointless. Lies in forms of questions. Nothing but falsehood. "Promise me, if it happens again, you won't leave?"

"Alex, you know I can't."

"Please? Promise me." His grip tightened. "I love you too much to let you go." Though the sentence was clearly mumbled, Kay heard.

"I promise."

"You don't usually keep those."

"I know. I'm sorry." He broke the eye contact. "I didn't promise to return when I went to England because I was unsure. I didn't want to break your heart . . . But I will this time. If I have to."

A smile crept its way on Alex's face. "Forever?"

He rolled his eyes. "We're forever."

Not long after, a nurse rushed in and told him he had to leave for now. Alex understood and left the room, but was stopped at the doorway.

"I love you."

He smiled again, turning to meet green one more time. "I love you too. Bye." And, with a wave and a smile, he left.

---

Alex looked at the tree with now blurry vision. "You lied to me! You didn't have to give him your heart, you idiot!"

I had no choice.

"You didn't even say goodbye!" He began attacking the tree. "What the hell was that supposed to accomplish?! I couldn't do anything for a month. I just couldn't bring myself to leave the house without thinking I'd never see green eyes waiting for me at school."

What did you expect me to do?

He ran a shaky hand through his bright hair, no longer kicking the tree. "You didn't have to do that. You could of stayed! You promised!"

I know. I'm sorry.

"You broke it again," he whispered. "You broke the promise! You didn't even say bye!"

I didn't want to break your heart.

He kicked the tree again. "I know! But come back!"

Alex, you know I can't.

His vision went blurry again and his knees buckled, his hand sweeping over cold stone for a moment. Looking to his left, he saw the grave, and the elegant green flowers lying on the forgotten dirt.

Beloved Son

Student

Boyfriend

Friend

And future artist.

Forever loved.

Forever remembered.

He ran his hand over the cold stone. "I will never forget you." Resting his head in his hands, he felt his vision blurring again. "I'll love you. Always." And he stood up, stumbling slightly. He regained his balance and walked away, the night now invading the sky, from the one he loved, but made a silent promise to return the next day, as he always did.

We're forever.

Imprint

Publication Date: 11-29-2014

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
I'd like to thank all my lovely readers, and my friends who read this months before. I love you all!