Hello, Jordy (Quacking4life) here, so when I put |-| please play Bumper Cars by Alex & Sierra (It's the song above. Just hit play). It'll kinda go with the story a bit better. :)

3 Days Before

I walk into the fellowship hall and see a few people sitting around the table talking. I walk over and sit on the floor because there's no extra chairs. I don't follow what they're talking about. My mind drifts. What can I do to make my kata better? I hear someone come in. I turn to look at who it is. Brandon. Just looking at him makes a smile appear on my face. Stop. He likes someone else. I quickly turn my head away. 

"Hi," He says to everyone. He sits down beside me. Just a tad too close there, Brandon. I scoot an inch away from him. Still a little too close, but better. 

Present

I walk into the worship hall and find a seat. I make sure my phone is on vibrate as everyone from my group trails into the spot I picked. I sit on the end so I can make a quick exit if need be. Brandon sits down next to me. "You left so suddenly." I stare forward trying to act like we're not talking. A tiny smile forms on my face.  "Was there something wrong with last night."

"No," I say. "Everything was perfect. You were perfect." 

I turn to face him and suddenly I just want to kiss him. Elata, no. Don't do it. It's our secret. I look away quickly. "That's good. You were amazing."

I smile and look at my hands on my lap. As the service starts I try to take notes. I'm not worried. I'll be home in a few days. Tyler is doing fine. Mom and Dad are doing fine. Everyone's doing fine. I hope.

I start to doodle on my paper when my phone starts buzzing. I look at the screen. It's the hospital. "I have to take this," I whisper to Brandon. I step out of the worship hall and sit on a chair in the hallway. 

|-|  "Hello?" I say.

"Hello. This is St. Elizabeth's hospital."

"Hi," I say fearing what's to come.

"Are you Elata Burns?"

I close my eyes and breathe in sharply. "Yes."

"Your brother, Tyler Burns," No. No, not Tyler. "Has had a complication." No. Why? "He was rushed into surgery," Tyler. Please, stay alive, Tyler. "But he didn't make it." No. No. No.

I feel the tears form in my eyes. I can't speak. 

"I'm terribly sorry." Then she hangs up.

I stay seated staring at my phone. Tyler. Why? I bring my knees up to my chest and hug my legs. I want to see him. I want to get to him. Someone comes out of the worship hall. I don't care who it is. I just stare at the wall. 

"Elata," Brandon says. "What happened?"

I don't even look at him. I don't say anything. I just stare. Tyler died. He died. We didn't even say goodbye.

Brandon comes in front of me and looks me right in the eye. He puts his hands on my shoulders. "E, what happened?"

I breathe in sharply. I can't breathe. Brandon, help me. "I didn't even say bye."

Brandon breathes in loud enough for me to hear. "Elata," He says. He's finally catching on. He wraps me in a hug. 

"H-he can't be gone, though." Tears are in my eyes and streaming down my cheeks. "He was doing so much b-better. He can't be g-gone."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Make him come back. I want to see him."

I need to see him. I need to get out of here. I need to do something. I need to be with him. I need to

"Breathe." Brandon says.

I try to breathe, but I can't. "I-I can't"

"Elata," He says. "It'll be alright."

Tears come faster now. My breathing becomes quicker. It won't be alright, Brandon. It just won't.