***Seamus’s POV***

I mentally sighed as my cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled away from Alex and looked into her eyes as I reached for the phone with my bad hand. I gave her a gentle smile and brushed her blonde hair behind her ear as I flipped my phone open. “Hello?” I asked in annoyance. Honestly, people had the worst timing.

“Mom.”

Lizzy was violently sobbing. My eyes widened. “Liz? Lizzy, what about mom?” I cried. Lizzy sobbed more and I could hear Josh gently soothing her. He took the phone and started to speak. His words cut right through my heart.

“She got in a car accident.”

My heart slammed violently, threatening to break my ribs. “And?” I pressed nervously. He hesitated and I could hear him starting to cry. Oh god.

“Seamus, she died.”

No.

I refused to comprehend his words.

Not my mom.

“Stop lying,” I whispered shakily. “Seamus, I’m not,” Josh tried desperately. “Shut up!” I roared. Alex was watching in fearful shock. “You have to be,” I begged him. “Shame, I’m not,” he said gently. “I wouldn’t lie about this.”

I stared at my phone, breathing heavily as if I had just run a marathon. In fear, I threw it away from me. It hit the ground and shut off.

“Seamus?” Alex asked gently, moving towards me. I just sat there, trying to forget everything I had just heard. “No,” I whispered. “He’s lying.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay,” she promised and kissed me.

Someone knocked on the chorus door and then we heard the sounds of it being opened. The security guard gave me a sympathetic look. “Come on Shame. She’s here to pick you up.”

I shook my head violently. No. Lizzy was lying to me. Her and Josh. It was a mean prank. Because I couldn’t lose my mom. I loved my mom. I loved her so much. Maybe not as much as Lizzy, but I still loved her.

Alex took my hand in hers and helped me up. She led me to the guard and he allowed her to walk with me. Lizzy was standing in the hall in tears.

I turned away from her and looked deeply into Alex’s eyes. “What happened?” she whispered. I shook my head mechanically. “Nothing,” I said. “Nothing at all.” I hugged her to me tightly. I needed to know she was there. I just needed someone there for me. She kissed me deeply before I was forced to walk to my sobbing sister.

Lizzy pulled me to her and held me. We walked out to the car and slid in. Josh was driving with a sad look. “Are you alright?” he asked gently. I didn’t look at him. I just pulled out my iPod.

I waited for you today
But you didn't show
No no no
I needed You today
So where did You go?
You told me to call
Said You'd be there
And though I haven't seen You
Are You still there?
[Chorus:]
I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I"m never alone
And though I cannot see You
And I can't explain why
Such a deep, deep reassurance
You've placed in my life
We cannot separate
'Cause You're part of me
And though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen
[Chorus]
We cannot separate
You're part of me
And though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen
[Chorus] 

I continued to stare out the window as we pulled into the driveway. My aunt and uncle were there. I got out of the car and ignored them as I went inside.

I walked right up to my room and shut the door. I didn’t want to hear it. None of it. It wasn’t happening. It was just a lie. I wanted to talk to Alex but I realized I had left my phone in the chorus room.

“Josh, I can’t do this. I can’t tell him.” My window was open and I could hear Lizzy outside. I peeked down at her. Josh was holding her. “Seamus needs to know Lizzy and he won’t believe me. He needs to know they’re gone.”

They?

Lizzy looked up and nodded before heading inside. I could hear her coming up the stairs. She came into my room and looked at me before bursting into tears. “Sit down,” she managed.

I sat down on my bed. “I don’t want to hear your lies,” I growled. She sat next to me and held me tightly. “Seamus, they’re gone,” she sobbed. “They’re both gone.” “Mom and dad?” I whispered, breaking inside. She shook her head. “There was a drunk driver. They severed to miss him at the same time. They hit each other.” “Who?” I whispered.

“Mom and Richie.”

No. Lies. All lies. Mom and my best friend? Nope. Just a dream. I’d be waking up any second. Because there was just no way that they were both gone. Not right now, anyways. Because I needed them both right now. I needed them so much.

Lizzy was still holding me tightly, soaking my shirt with her tears. But I refused to cry. I would not cry. I could not cry. Instead, my eyes flicked to the pocket knife on my desk. My new best friend.

Richie.

Why had this happened to Richie? I looked out my window. Unlike in movies and stories, it was a beautiful day out. The sun was shining brightly and the sky had a few puffy clouds.

On a day like this, Richie and I liked to go outside and have a smoke together. Then we’d go to his room and listen to music. We would joke around together.

Mom.

She used to go outside and garden on days like this. Back before we lost dad. She loved to garden. But her love of everything died along with dad. And now, she too, was gone.

And soon, oh so soon, they would have their son join them.

***Alex’s POV***

I went to the chorus room and picked up Seamus’s phone. I turned it on and curiosity grabbed me as I saw a text message from Jay. I opened it.

Richie got in a car accident. He’s dead.

My hand flew up to my mouth in horror. Rachel’s little brother?! But wasn’t he Seamus’s best friend? Oh no. I had to get to Seamus’s house before he did something stupid.