Dimitri had gotten colder.

Evaughn noticed this when the blurs finally cleared up. He slowly unwrapped his arms from around Dimitri's ice-like body. He had never felt a dead person.

He glazed his eyes over his lips, and remembered that he just kissed him. Now, they were scrunched. Dimitri's face was fixed in a more subtle version of its signature scowl. Evaughn smiled at this; he thought it suited him a lot.

He swallowed his smile immediately; perhaps Dimitri was frowning because he wasn't at peace. A flash of some of his final words, however, washed that thought away.

He'd wanted to die in Evaughn's hands, he had uttered. Such was a peaceful death, he had added.

Evaughn looked at his own hands and felt them tremble. Now they were tainted, robbed of their purity. "I hope it helped."

There was a knock. He looked in the living room, and remembered that they weren't alone in the house.

He caught glimpse of a dented cheek and a severed ear as his dad moved towards the door. He opened it slightly and spoke to their visitor. His voice was quiet, yet its low pitch made him audible. "Would you give them some more time, please... I know... Yes, I understand... I'm just asking for your compassion; he's just lost a friend."

From the gap in the door, shades of blue and red danced.

"Dad."

Damien was closing the door when he heard his name. He turned and his eyebrows lifted. "Don't worry about them." He waved a hand. "It's whenever you're ready."

Evaughn looked at the boy in his hands. "We were never friends," he corrected. "He just wanted someone to understand him. So, he made me s-stab him. . ."

Damien slipped his hands into his pockets. "I know it wasn't your fault."

Evaughn nodded, and then after some time, said, "They can take him now." He lifted Dimitri's torso. It was much easier now that he wasn't resisting. Was that how heavy souls were?

"Okay."

Moments later, Damien was telling off the officers who were trying to interrogate Evaughn at the late hour. Then, Dimitri was gone along with red and blue.

He moved aside as his dad walked up their front stairs. When the door shut, he looked at his hands and clothes. "I should take a shower," he said quietly, turning for the stairs.

On his way there, he noticed something: an envelope with his name scribbled on it in ink. And not just any name.

For Eve R.

He blinked at the intrusion on his kitchen counter. Was it from Iris, or. . . Neo?

"It's from Neo," Damien said as if he could read minds. "He wanted me to give it to you."

Evaughn looked over his shoulder. "He's alive," he said, not as a question, but an observation.

"Yeah. Whatever you decide to do with it, please do it after you get some rest. You've had a long day, Vaughn."

His dad placed a fleeting hand on his shoulder before going upstairs.

Evaughn hadn't yet torn his eyes from the counter. Finally, he grabbed it and went up to his room. The envelope sat on his nightstand and watched him undress for a needed shower, and then redress for bed fifteen minutes later.

Evaughn sat on his bed and eyed the envelope like it were foe. He gripped it with both hands, his fingers on opposite ends. They prepared to pull apart.

They didn't. He couldn't rip it. He just set it inside his drawer safe and sound, and the only thing that ripped was his dignity.

***

When Evaughn opened his eyes the next day, the numbers 1:13 glared at him in bright red. Gasping, he yanked his body out of bed so quickly that a foot got stuck in the sheets. He didn't have time to think before the trip became a fall.

"Damn it." He groaned at the impact on his knee, lifting himself up. If he hurried, he could still make the last two periods of school.

Neo is going to kill me.

Evaughn snapped his head up at a bunch of knocks on his door. "Vaughn, you okay? I heard a thud."

He frowned. Since when does he call me Vau—

"I-I'm fine, Dad. Just dropped something."

"Oh, okay. By the way, there's breakfast downstairs."

Evaughn could not form a reply; he was too busy trying to recall the last time he heard that phrase.

It felt weird, too, seeing a meal at the dining table waiting for him as he descended the staircase. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, and an orange juice. He knew Damien had made it because of the pan still on the stove.

Evaughn sat down, and the emptiness in his stomach prompted him to take a bite. He couldn't shake the giddiness in his stomach, nor his smile as he ate, for this was not a dream.

The chef came down while Evaughn was chewing the last of his sausage. Damien made a turn to the kitchen and water rushed as he prepped for the dishwasher. "How is it? I'm not too good at cooking."

Evaughn shook his head. "I think it's good."

Damien nodded. After loading the dishwasher, he spoke. "Oh, yeah. Some officers would like to talk to you about yesterday."

"Can't wait."

Damien laughed. "We've got a lawyer for you. It'll be a breeze."

"Can't you be my lawyer?" He blurted with little thought, cringing immediately after.

"I would. But, my California license expired years ago. It'll take a while for all the paperwork." Damien said, apologetically. "Don't worry, though. She's even better than me at this."

Evaughn nodded and finished off his breakfast. He should've been more worried; there was a chance that he would be seen guilty for Dimitri's death. It was his dad's calmness that relieved all stress before it could reach the surface.

Evaughn spent the rest of the day at police headquarters, in a chair beside a woman who shared Iris' dimples and made sure he barely had to say anything to the intimidating policemen.

He had met Iris' mom, Lily, back at his house, where he had told her everything while she'd typed away. Now, they were leaving the building after hours of questioning.

"Not bad, right?" Lily smiled, walking through the door as he held it for her.

"It wasn't bad," he said, noticing that the sun left colors in the sky. It was already evening.

She slowed before a small white vehicle and the two of them got inside. As she buckled herself in, she asked, "Are you hungry?"

"I'm okay," Evaughn answered, although his stomach said otherwise.

The interior suddenly filled with a ringing tone. The display screen in the front showed an incoming call from Damien.

"Sorry, Evaughn, I have to take this. I'll be quick."

"Sure." He nodded slowly as she rushed outside to take the call. He thought it a bit weird that she needed to go outside; she was just speaking to his dad, after all.

Evaughn dismissed the concern. His stomach growled and he held his breath to fight hunger.

Lily returned a while later and gave him a crooked smile. "Okay... you won't hate me if we make a quick stop by the car wash, right? I just realized my coupon expires today."

"It's okay." He shook his head, laughing almost. He was expecting something more serious than that. However, on their way there, Evaughn swore they passed by two car wash shops. And come to think of it, his house wasn't far from the police station; she could've just dropped him off beforehand.

He stole a glance at the woman and she smiled back. It was possible he was overthinking...

Turns out, he was overthinking; although it was nearly midnight now—Lily decided she wanted to make another pit stop at a retail store where she looked at everything but bought nothing—they were finally parked before his house.

Lily smiled. "Here we are."

"Y-yeah. Thanks...," he said groggily, worn out by the detours.

"Before you go, Evaughn..." Lily then dug through her purse and retrieved a strip of cloth. "Could you put this on?"

He blinked. "A blindfold?"

Dimples formed.

At the same time, Evaughn remembered what day it was. He took the blindfold, sighing with a hint of a smile underneath. "I'll pretend I'm surprised."

Lily was visibly relieved. "Oh, thank you so much."

They laughed as they exited the car. Evaughn had the blindfold off until they reached the backyard. He listened to small scrunches of leaves, and the second Lily told him to remove it, the choir sang.

"Surprise!"

Iris was holding a small cake, the candle numbers 1 and 8 stuck on it. She held it in the air and wiggled her shoulders. Amanda was clapping her hands, and Luka held a silly party horn between his teeth. Damien pumped a fist in the air.

Evaughn looked around with his jaw strategically lowered.

Iris ran over to him. "Eve, come on, come on, it's almost time!"

They led him to a bonfire in the far end of the backyard, and they sat on a wooden bench he didn't even know they had.

Evaughn looked at the birthday cake placed in front of him. "Thanks, everyone. Honestly. You... you didn't have to do this."

"'Course we did. It's your eighteenth!" Luka said from beside him.

Evaughn couldn't help the warmth in his heart as he looked at their faces. The ones who showed up for him.

"Alright," Iris said on his other side. Her eyes had been stuck on her watch the whole time. "It's starting!"

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

"Oh my god, oh my god!" Iris.

"Make a good wish." Lily.

"Seven! Six! Five! Four!"

"Here comes paying taxes!" Amanda.

"Really, Mom?" Luka.

"Three! Two! One!"

"I love you, Evaughn." Damien, quietly, with a hand on his shoulder.

"Happy birthday!"

Evaughn blew out candles for the first time in a very long time. His wish was simple; it was that this happiness would never end—all of it, including the way his dad called him his full name, all of a sudden.

They sang the birthday song and Amanda went to cut the cake. She handed out slices and soon, the excitement had died down.

The adults were all inside while the three teenagers each sat with sticks of marshmallow in their hand. The fire crackled in front of them. It was louder than Luka when he spoke. "Were you actually surprised? You looked like you knew."

"I knew."

"What?" Iris pushed out a breath. "My mom had one job."

Evaughn laughed a little. "It was good, still. Thank you, guys." He brought his marshmallow out of the fire. The cicadas were the only thing audible when they went quiet for a while longer than normal.

Evaughn parted his lips. "Luka, we can talk about him. If you want. I don't mind."

Luka twitched. "No way. It's your day. This isn't about him."

"Well, I'm the birthday boy, and I demand you to say whatever it is you're holding back right now," Evaughn stated firmly. "I was with him last, so... ask whatever."

Luka stopped twisting his stick in the fire and sat straighter. The fire crackled for a while before his response.

"Was he cold?"

Quiet, Evaughn turned to him.

"His body. Was it cold when he died?"

"No. He felt warm to me. Oddly."

Luka's lips curved. "Good. He hated the cold."

Evaughn was glad he chose to lie. He raised his chin, and then Iris stood up to stretch her arms.

Evaughn he realized he didn't know how Iris felt about Dimitri... or even Luka. Honestly, he remembered them being more intimate than this before.

"Tired?" Evaughn asked.

"Just... something's been bugging me." Iris twisted towards the boys, her hands clasped behind her back. "Will you be okay, Luka?"

Evaughn cocked his head.

Luka was slow to answer. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me, Iris."

"Have you read what they're saying about you? Luka, it's terrible."

Lost, Evaughn furrowed his brows.

"It's everywhere on social media," Iris began. "People are—"

"He doesn't have to know," Luka said to her before turning to Evaughn. "Because it's nothing. Really. People are just stirred up because everything that's just happened is still fresh. Things will die down over time."

Iris exhaled and shook her head.

Evaughn was left more confused than before.

"Let's try to enjoy his birthday, yeah?" Luka said, fully dismissing whatever conversation they just had.  Abruptly, he gasped. "Ahh, my marshmallow burnt!"

By two in the morning, Evaughn and his dad were watching Luka carry his groggy mother to his car; apparently, Amanda had a lot to drink.

They closed the door and Evaughn asked his father, "Was this all your idea?"

"Yeah. Was it alright for you?" Damien rubbed the back of his head. "Luka suggested it be a surprise."

Evaughn chuckled. "Of course that was him. Yeah, it was good." He looked at his feet, deciding if he should say his next thought.

Coincidentally, Damien brought it up for him. "I have to apologize, Evaughn. I didn't realize how it sounded until now; calling you Vaughn. I'm really sorry."

Evaughn raised his head, his lips slightly ajar.

"I meant it only as your nickname, but I should've thought about how it could come off. I'll call you your name from now on. It's a pretty name." Damien winked.

Evaughn breathed out. His lips relaxed into a smile, relieved that it was just a nickname.

Damien turned his shoulder. "I have something for you."

The boy hummed a question. His dad went to the living room, grabbed something from a shelving unit, and he returned with a small white case in his hands. "Happy birthday, Evaughn."

It was a packaged phone. The boy received it hesitantly. "...You didn't have to. I would've been fine just making it here alive. Honestly."

"I know. You don't need anything from me, but it's yours now. Do whatever you want with it."

He nodded slowly.

"One more thing," Damien started, going off to retrieve up a small item from the coffee table. He saw the face Evaughn made and chuckled. "It's not from me. This one is a message from your mom."

His breath caught. "My..."

"She recorded it for your eighteenth."

Damien was noticeably taller than Evaughn. He seemed bigger with this device in his hand. Or rather, Evaughn felt like he was shrinking.

"She recorded it... So. Her voice is. Her voice is there."

"Yeah. This is the thing I wanted to send you. It's old and it's never been turned on, so it might be confusing. If you need help—"

"I want to hear it now." He sprung back to size. "Uh, c-can I?"

"Sure. Let me set it up."

Evaughn watched his dad move to the couch and fiddle with the nozzles. He felt his heartbeat speed up at the sound of faint static. Damien twisted some toggle and the volume of crackling sounds steadily rose.

Damien stood from the couch and nodded. "Alright. All yours. Whenever you're ready, press this button."

"Okay," he whispered as he walked towards it, eyes glued to the box.

"I'll be outside."

Evaughn sat down on the couch and steadied his breathing. He barely heard what his dad had just said.

When he pressed the button, his eyes began to burn.

Hi, Evie. How are you?

A gasp, the slightest bit of composure, then a part of his lips. "H-Hi, Mom. Hi. I-I'm okay."

The doctors are telling me that I only have minutes to live. I nagged them for a voice recorder and they finally gave me one. My final wish is to have a conversation with you.

He sniffled. "Okay."

Firstly, happy Birthday, Evie. I love you so much.

His thank you cracked too much to be written inside quotations.

As you've grown up, you might have felt as though we've never met before, but that isn't true. I'm holding you in my arms and looking into your beautiful brown eyes right now. How cool is that? I'd say pretty cool.

You're eighteen now. Wow. I'm so happy you've grown. I am... twenty-five right now. I feel as though I've lived so many years, but not enough to be with you.

"I-I'm really sorry... a-about that."

Oh, Evie, are you dating anyone? Have you found your person yet?

"I, um. I think so, but he... he isn't here anymore."

Your dad and I had our first date under the moon. We made it our thing, talking for hours on this one bench at night. Actually, it was a full moon night when we got married.

"Dad and I talk under the moon, too."

Evie, I... I hope you. You never grow up believing that my death was your fault. You did. Nothing wrong.

He looked at his lap, and his lip quivered even more.

I regret n-not being able to watch you grow up. I know it must've been. So. Hard, and I... hah. If you took after my emotions, then you're crying like I am right now. I've been c-crying this whole time, if you couldn't tell. Haha.

"M-Me too."

If you are, I wish I could wipe away your tears. When we meet again, I will hold you in my arms until they fall off.

I love you. So much, Evie. I love you.

"I love you, too, Mom." Evaughn picked up the black box in gentle hands and held it close to his face. "S-so much. I wish you were here..." He clutched his chest and his back hunched. "I-It's so hard not to f-feel like I didn't take away your life. I try not to think that way, but I... I just want Dad to be happy. I don't think he'll be happy without you. But he's trying hard. Maybe I'll be enough one day.

"Um. A lot happened these past days. It was all so overwhelming, so... I'm so happy, Mom," he picked up his head and the tears streamed into his mouth as he spoke. Five times, he swiped the back of his hand over his face.

"I'm so happy we got to talk."

Evaughn wiped the last of the tears away as best as he could. He looked at the magical black box with smile lines inside his damp cheeks.

Moments later, Damien returned from the backyard. He tilted his head at the look on Evaughn and echoed his smile.

"Was it good?"

He bobbed his head. "Yes." Evaughn carefully stood up with the digital voice recorder, and went to hold his new phone under his armpits. "Goodnight. Thanks for everything, Mom, Dad."

Before his dad could answer, he ran up the stairs to his room.

***

Evaughn took his new route to school with a friend.

Adrien, his neighbor, rode his own bike alongside him, and he was talking about football, or something. Evaughn was half-asleep after staying up so late.

"...games, and if we win this one, we'll be in the semi-finals."

As talkative as Adrien was this early morning, Evaughn was glad that he'd noticed Dimitri in time that night.

"Think you'll win?" Evaughn asked as they stopped their bikes before a busy street.

"I don't care much anymore, honestly. It won't be the same without Dimi. I can't believe he's gone," Adrien said quietly. "Oh—I think I saw police lights the other night by your house. Something happen?"

They looked both ways before pedaling again. "They were just... looking for possible witnesses."

"Oh, okay. I hope he comes back, and gets better."

At that, Evaughn thinned his lips.

"We're here. Told you the school is close."

They set their bikes at the designated racks, and split ways afterwards.

"Vaughn!"

The call came from behind him so he twisted. Luka was running towards him. He draped a hand over the long haired boy, and his momentum made them both stumble.

"Jesus, Luka."

Luka smiled despite nearly spilling the cup of coffee in his other hand. Dani's Coffee House, was its logo. "Did you also get no sleep?"

"Five hours. You?"

"Three."

"Three?" he asked. At the same time, a large man wearing a black suit walked towards them. Evaughn moved out of his way, but weirdly, he just... stood there.

"A lot happened, actually."

"Oh..." He tried to hint to Luka that there was a stranger casually invading their space, but he didn't seem to get it.

"Oh, this is my bodyguard."

Evaughn deadpanned. "Maybe lead with that next time."

They walked together towards the school, as did many other students. The man in the suit followed close by. Evaughn leaned his shoulder towards Luka, "Why do you have a bodyguard?"

"My mom thinks I should, so she hired him. Don't mind it. Anyway, let's hang out right after school. I don't have Honors. We can go to restaurants for freebies since it's your birthday."

"Sure. Oh, and uh." He reached into the pocket of his blazer to pull out his birthday gift. "I have a phone now. Do you...? I mean, if you want, you can... put your number in?"

Luka laughed as he took his phone. "You're nervous from that? 'Course I'll add mine."

"Shut up."

He handed it back not long after. "Anyway, meet me here right after school, yeah?"

"Alright." They bumped fists and went their separate ways. The guard stayed outside. Evaughn wondered if he'd stand out here the entire day.

***

Breaking promises was unlike Luka... right?

Evaughn had gotten tired of standing. He sat down on the wide stairs at the entrance of their school after thirty minutes of walking back and forth in wait.

He stared at the message Luka sent him during second period: a meme of some cat. Now, it was an hour after their meeting time, and the guy was nowhere to be found. Not even his bodyguard.

"Is that you, Evaughn?"

Evaughn looked to his side at the girl approaching him from the entrance—Kayin. He stood up slowly, unsure whether or not she hated him. "Hi."

"Hey. How's it going?"

Evaughn pushed his lips together. "I'm sorry for quitting the tutor group so suddenly."

"Don't worry. I know that something important must've happened for you to do that since you didn't come to school the last two days. I was worried, but I'm glad you're okay.."

That only made him feel more guilty.

"Your spot is still there if you ever decide to come back," she smiled.

"Kayin," he called before she could leave. "Have you seen Luka?"

"Luka? He went home early."

"What?"

"Yeah. During fourth period, he got called down to the office. Never came back. Why?"

"Oh... okay. It's nothing. Thanks."

"No problem. Bye, now," she waved before taking the stairs. Meanwhile, he sent a text to Luka before finally leaving.

Evaughn [1 second ago]: I'm gonna go home now. Don't wait for me.

***

He arrived home to his dad typing away on his laptop at their dining table. Damien was wearing reading glasses; Evaughn smiled softly at a new look unlocked.

"Welcome back," he greeted the boy.

Evaughn slipped off his loafers and loosened his tie. "Are you working?"

"Yeah, just finishing up. How was school?"

He shrugged. "Fine. Just... uh. Something might be wrong with Luka. We agreed to hang out, but he never showed up, and he's not responding to me... I don't know what to do."

Damien removed his glasses and closed his laptop. He thought for a bit. "Would you like me to call Amanda and ask her?"

"Yeah."

The next couple of minutes, Evaughn openly eavesdropped on his dad's conversation. The call was on speaker, so he heard it clearly when Amanda said, "I've been on a plane for the last two hours. But Luka and I have been texting the whole time. He's just at home. He even sent me a picture. What a sweet boy."

Now, Evaughn was questioning his sense of judgement. "I was just overthinking, then..."

"Is it unlike him to be a no-show?"

He scrunched his lips. "I don't know. When I think about it, I've barely known him long enough to make those claims. Because of everything that happened, it feels like we've known each other for years."

Damien smiled. "Good friendships work like that."

***

The Previous Night

Damien had found himself standing in front of his TV alongside Amanda while the teenagers were by the bonfire outside.

The news station was announcing the death of the Leroux family. In France, citizens rejoiced; Dimitri's death marked the true end of the infamous LeRouge family, since he was the last one to carry his father's blood.

In the U.S., however, people were less satisfied.

Amanda rose a glass of wine against her lips, spilling the contents inside. It was already her fourth glass.

She was pacing, moving around every two seconds. "Their entire family was found guilty. Now, people are inclined to believe that anyone related to Celine is a threat as long as they aren't locked up."

Seated on the couch nearby with her legs crossed, Lily shook her head, "And here you are about to leave again."

Amanda paused in her steps and glared at the other woman. "I was called in to work earlier than expected. I have no choice." She drank again. "I got him good security. He'll be safe, he's used to being away from me. We communicate."

"It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself. I would quit my job if that were Iris."

"Oh be quiet, Lily." Amanda groaned. "Not all of us can move freely like you can."

"The least you could do is try not to sleep around." She rolled her eyes and then took her purse in hand. "I'm leaving, Damien. I was only here to help your son. Personally, I can't stand to be around you people who aren't meant to be parents."

Damien thinned his lips as Lily strutted her way out.

Amanda had been seething by the kitchen counter the entire time. "God, she pisses me off, making it seem like I want things this way."

He placed a hand over his face and squeezed.

She buried her head in her hands. "I just... I can't believe this is happening. Why does America hate my baby?"

Damien turned off the TV right as the reporter was listing off every terrible crime committed by the Leroux. He walked over to Amanda and rubbed his hand in circles over her back.

"I've already gotten threats sent to my email. How long until someone finds out where we live? Luka doesn't deserve this."

She reached for the bottle of wine nearby, but Damien slid it away from her.

"Damien..."

"No more of this, alright?"

He soothed her slouched back. She let out a sob into her palm. "They're telling my baby to kill himself."