I hid my face in my pillow as I cried. I didn't care that it was "not appropriate" for guys to cry, but it was impossible to. Not when I just had a fight with James. James was my best-friend. That is the term, but we're more like brothers. We've fought before, but not like this. This was so much worse. I fell asleep on my bed, still in my clothes from earlier.

I woke the next morning groggily to my alarm. I realized I had fallen asleep in my clothes from the previous day. I sighed and groaned before forcing myself out of bed, facing the cold of my room. I wanted to dive back under the warmth of my sheets, but school was too important to skip out on it. I quickly showered, as I hadn't the night before, and changed into clothes. I comes through my hair, fixing up what had been ruffled in my sleep. I then headed back to my room to get my backpack when my memories caught up to me. I suddenly wanted to throw up.

"You okay?" My mother asked as she shuffled into the room, exhausted from staying up late for work.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said without hesitation, well aware that I wasn't.

"Okay. Oh! Hurry up, you're going to be late!"

I looked at the clock which read 6:24. My bus came at 6:30. Shoot.

"By Mom!" I called as I dashed out the door, trying to repress the feelings of guilt and sadness and anger that started to bubble up inside.

As soon as I arrived at the bus stop, I pulled out my phone. 6:29. Th bus stalled to a stop as it pulled up to the bus stop. I got on the bus, unsure of wether to dread or embrace when I would see James again in second period. The rest of the bus ride passed swiftly, and I was as school before I knew it.

I headed to English, my first period for the semester. About halfway through the lecture, I fell asleep. I know this because I was awoken to a book being slammed on my desk. I shot awake to see a guy pick up the book from my desk and head back to his friends that were walking out the door. I got up to leave when the teacher stopped me.

"James, you fell asleep in my class! This is not normal for you. Are you okay?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine." Once again lying,
"Sorry Mr.Contreral"

"It's fine. Just don't do it again. Have a good day."

I left, nearly having a panic attack from the though of being sent to the office. My mother would've been so disappointed. I headed to second period, but didn't see James. I couldn't help the anxiety-like thoughts that shot through my brain.

When the teacher wasn't looking, I pulled out my phone and texted James.

"Hey. I'm sorry about yesterday. That was uncalled for. Where are you? You're not here in Science. Unless you figured out how to be invisible."

"Phone up please." Mrs.Carlin instructed. I looked up and felt heat dear through my body when we met eyes and everyone, with the exception of two or three focused students, swiveled to turn to me. I shiver my phone away, planning to check it later at lunch.

I didn't see James the rest of the morning. At lunch, he was no where to be seen. I asked Gabriel and Eric. Both responded with the dreaded answer of no.

In sixth and seventh period, James was still no where to be seen. I had zoned out when a lady walked into the room. She had long black wavy hair, copper skin and brown eyes. I followed her with my eyes silently as she walked to the front of the room and showed something to the teacher, a depressed look on her face. The teachers face fell and he clenched his jaw before speaking.

"Kade!"

I sat up in attention at my name. He gestured to the lady.

"Please follow Ms.Henritta, there is something she needs to tell you."

I slowly got up and followed He to the hallway. I expected something about my grades, or that one of my teachers had written me up for something. But what she said, took me by such surprise, I didn't even cry at first. She had to be joking.

"Y-you're kidding me right? James d-didn't...he wouldn't....he wouldn't..."

"I'm sorry Kade. James commuted suicide. He was found by his parents, who had gotten home early, only at noon today. His parents took him to the hospital but it was too late. They then requested that you were informed immediately."

"No! No no no!" I yelled, pushing her back, unable to control the rage that grew out of control. I banged on the empty lockers in the halls, leaving a dent in one even. Tears streamed down my face.

"I'm sorry she whispered when I quieted. I realize this is hard for you but-"

"Ha! You don't say." I mumbled, cutting her off there. I got up and ran past her, needing a way to escape.

I never got to see where I ended up, because I shot ip back in English, Mr.Contreral had a sour look on his face.

"Mr.Lenghim, please, pay attention!"

It took me a minute, but I nodded slowly. Suddenly everything made sense. I had fallen asleep. All that had been a dream. Which meant... as soon as the bell rung, I was gone. I sprinted out the door to where I met James on the way to second period. When I saw him I almost cried. I threw my arms around him, earning a questioning look from him. When he noticed the tears streaming down my face, he instantly asked what was wrong.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Don't leave me." I mumbled.

"What? Okay dude, seriously, what are you going on about?" He questioned.

I told him if my dream on the way to second period. As soon as he heard the story, he too, had tears in his eyes.

"Truth be told, I had a similar dream." He admitted. I looked up at him. He flashed a small smile that I could Eli but return, despite my weak mouth and wet eye. I engulfed him in a hug and he hugged back.

There was no denying it. I didn't care if we weren't biologically related. He was the only brother I would ever have. That much was for sure in my mind. We made up for the fight we had had as we walked into the classroom. We had been close before, yet somehow, this event seemed to bring us impossibly closer. And I was fine with that.