~Austin POV~

I was going to do my family genealogy report, I was gonna do my older brother Henry. It only make sense since he's in the military and I really wanna get an A on this one.

However...

Teacher: Mr. Boyland, you're called to the office.

Austin: Wait, what?

Teacher: There's something waiting for you.

Austin: Yes sir.

I walked towards Sam...

Austin: Good luck, Sam.

Sam: Thanks.

...walked out of the classroom and headed for the front office, but I don't know what's going.

As I walked in, the attendant got the stationary phone for me and I had to know what it was about.

Attendant: It's for you.

Austin: Thank you.

I picked up...

Austin: Hello?

Mom: Austin, it's Henry!

Austin: What? Mom? What's going on? What about Henry?

Mom: Henry, he's gone!

Austin: I'm sorry, what?

Mom: Austin, he died.

When she said those two words, I froze. It felt like I got shot in the chest with a cannon.

Austin: Henry, he's dead?

Mom: I mean it, sweetie. He's been killed. Look, you're gonna have to walk back home, but spend some time to yourself, okay?

I didn't bother listening to the rest of the call as I started hitting the phone booth repeatedly with anger and tears coming down my face!

I even grabbed onto my head and just not knowing what to do. I couldn't believe it, Henry has been killed, and I don't know what to think.

When the bell rang, I didn't bother moving a muscle until I had to start walking back to the classroom, grab my shit, and start walking out of the school, wiping any tears coming down my face and just trying to hold myself together.

I saw that Sam and his dad started to drive away, but I think Sam had his dad stop so he could check on me.

Sam: Austin! Austin, are you okay?

I looked at him and he probably already knew what happened.

Sam: What happened?

Austin: It's Henry. He got killed in line of duty.

Sam: Oh, man.

I was trying to hold myself together, but I just sat back down and just cried silently as Sam kneeled down and hugged me. I couldn't take the fact that Henry's dead.

I still couldn't believe it.

~Miko POV~

I was just about to go home and eat dinner with the folks, but I noticed something about my classmate Austin.

Something wasn't right and I had to excuse myself from my friends.

Miko: I'll see you guys tomorrow.

Girl: Okay.

I walked over to where he and his friend were, just concerned about him. I've heard stories about his family being military, but I don't know the situation.

Miko: Excuse me? What's going on?

Sam: It's none of your business.

Austin: Sam, it's okay.

He looked at me with tears in his eyes, but I think I know what happened.

Austin: My older brother Henry died. He was at Soccent Quarta and had been killed in an attack.

Miko: Oh, Austin I'm so sorry.

Austin: I appreciate it, but I just need to be alone.

Miko: Is it okay if my family and treat you with some food? We would have no problem with it.

Austin: I don't think so, but I appreciate the gesture.

Miko: I insist. We can give you one of our dishes. Please?

Austin: If you want to, go ahead. Let me write down my address.

He wrote down the address of his family's house and gave it to me as I patted his shoulder with a sympathetic smile, letting him know that he's not alone.

Miko: My family and I will be praying for you.

Austin: Thanks Miko.

Miko: You bet.

~Austin POV~

After getting support from Miko, surprisingly, and Sam, I told him that I'd rather be alone for a while, just to get my head straight.

Sam: Alright. I understand. You come by the house if you need anything.

Austin: Thanks Sam. I appreciate.

Sam: My family and I are here for you, man. If you ever wanna come by, you don't even have to ask.

I hugged him and he went to go buy his first car, but I walked the way home, just thinking about the last time I ever got to talk with Henry while he was overseas. I don't even remember if I told him I loved him before we ended the call.

When I came home, I saw my dad and mom in the living room, at peace, taking in the fact that Henry had been killed and it was something that I don't know if I can take.

Later on, Miko came by and gave my family and I some dinner, which all of us were thankful for and I didn't think other people besides Sam would ever care.

~Next Day~

I was invited by Sam to spend time with him after Henry died and I think his parents would understand the reason to, even if they don't have a second son.

As I walked over, I was dressed the best I could be in and I really didn't want to, but I know that Haney would've wanted to spend time with some friends for some closure.

The Witwickys are very close to my family and this is something I can't be more grateful for than anything.

I walked up to their house, rang the doorbell and Mrs. Witwicky had to answer.

Mrs. Witwicky: Austin! Hey!

We hugged as I really needed it, you know?

Mrs. Witwicky: I'm so sorry about Henry. Is your family alright?

Austin: We'll get there.

Mrs. Witwicky: Please, come in. Sam will be out shortly. Want something to drink while you wait?

Austin: No, I'll be fine, thanks.

Mrs. Witwicky: You're welcome, sweetheart.

I was waiting for Sam and while I did, I started thinking about Miko for some reason. I mean, what she did for my family and I, I have to thank her on our behalf. I didn't know she would go out of her way to cook dinner for my folks and I.

When we were given the food and my mom brought it onto the kitchen counter, Miko actually hugged me before saying goodbye.

I will say, it kinda rocked me because I don't know what was going on.

?????: All right, I know you get wasted on these things, but if you piss in my bed again, you're sleeping outside, okay?

I turned the corner and I saw that Sam was talking to his dog, Mojo, who has a cast on his leg and was given a pain pill for pets.

Sam: That's it for today. No more. Crackhead.

He saw me and I was a bit horrified by what he said, but it was funny nonetheless.

Sam: How long have you been here?

Austin: Not too long ago. How's his foot?

Sam: It's healing up, but not there yet. How's your family holding up?

Austin: We're hanging in there. Really hard to take in the fact that Henry's not here anymore.

Sam: You really don't have to come today if it's that bad.

Austin: No no no, my parents allowed me to go. I know Henry would allow me to go too.

Sam: They're really good people, Austin. And Henry? He'd be super proud of you right now.

Austin: I appreciate that, Sam. Thanks.

We hugged as I really am happy that Sam's an awesome friend we stuck around for so long.

Sam: Come on, let's get to the party.

After a while, Sam was done and we were ready to go, but I saw that Mr. and Mrs. Witwickey were doing Mr. Witwicky's precious grass.

Whenever I saw him lusting over the grass, I feel personally obligated to call the nearest rehab center to book an appointment because he's one cheap SOB.

Regardless, he's an awesome guy and he always tries to make time to talk to the family.

Mrs. Witwicky: Ron, this one is uneven.

Mr. Witwicky: Yeah. Probably.

Mrs. Witwicky: This one's wobbly.

Mr. Witwicky: Yeah. I'll take care of that real soon.

Mrs. Witwicky: Couldn't we have hired a professional?

At least she's honest.

I decided to go on the path, lest I piss off Mr. Witwicky, just because he made it clear the first time I met him, but Sam had to do that of all things.

Mr. Witwicky: Aw, Sam.

Sam: What?

Mr. Witwicky: I do not like footprints on my grass.

Sam: What foot... There's no footprints.

Mr. Witwicky: That's why I built my path. So why don't you go from my grass onto my path, okay? At least Austin knows better.

Sam: It's family grass, Dad.

Mr. Witwicky: Well, when you own your own grass, you'll understand.

I made my way to him who looked happy to see me, you know?

Mr. Witwicky: How you doing, Austin?

Austin: We're getting there.

Mr. Witwicky: That's good. Hey, if your family needs anything, they can always call us.

Sam: Come on, Austin.

Austin: Alright. See you later guys.

Mr. Witwicky: Same to you, Austin. Send my love to your family!

Austin: I will.

Mrs. Witwicky: I want you home at 11:00, Sam!

Sam: Yeah, all right.

Mr. Witwicky: 11:00!

I got into the front seat with Sam and once he turned the ignition on, the car sputtered and smoked, but we got it going and looked to head over to the party at the park.

Little did I know, a couple of new friends would be made by yours truly.