*Flashback*

It's Friday and we're leaving to go to the Matt's party. Before we leave, Eddie: How I look?

Michael examines what he's wearing. (Tight but loose black pants, a red shirt with a black Varsity jacket to match and black Jordan's) Yeah man you look good. I'm walking behind him and stop in my tracks.

Eddie: What?

Michael:How I look? should I change?

Eddie: Naw man you look Great.

I smile but before leaving we say goodbye to mom.

Hey ma we're leaving out I love you, Eddie said. As we leaving out the front door. OK sweetie be careful I love you too, said Momma.

Eddie: Michael what's up with you. Why you so quiet?

Michael: Nothing man. My head just hurt. My head was hurting a little but something just don't feel right, like I feel like we're being watched.

Eddie: Forreal

Michael: I just don't feel right. I think were bring watched. Maybe we shouldn't go to this party.

Eddie: Will you relax? Everything will be fine and if something go wrong, you got me always, OK?

Michael's POV:

OK, was all I said but I still couldn't stomach that feeling inside. A few blocks from the party and Eddie stops.

Me:What's wrong?

Eddie: Michael, I need to tell you this before we go to this party.

Me: You're scaring me man.

Eddie: A few weeks ago I got into it with these dudes. They tried to jump me while was walking down the street. Now, they out to get me.

We started walking again...

This doesn't make any sense, who jumps you out of nowhere without a reason? I ask.

Eddie just stay quiet

Me: Eddie

Eddie:This guy name Darryl thinks I own him money. I don't own him nothing. He mess with drugs and you know Momma not having that.

Me: Don't worry man, I got you.

Eddie: Okay

We finally arrive to the party, as we walk in, the lights are dimmed and the girls are dancing with guys to a slow song. The air smells like smoke and heavy liquor.

I look to my left and Eddie is gone outta sight, guess he left with his friends.

This girl Amy is walking towards me.

Amy: Hey

Hey was all I said. I didn't really feel like talking I was there because Eddie thought I don't get out much.

Amy: cool party huh?

Me: Yup

Before she could say her next word, I hear arguing from the kitchen and then I hear glass breaking. A crowd had formed. I push through the crowd trying to see who it was. It was Eddie and some guy with chains and gold teeth.

I jump on the guy trying to get him off of Eddie and Mick grabs Eddie. I get pushed to the floor. The guy is pulling something out his pocket. Now Eddie is face to face with a gun.

Eddie POV:

Come on man you know I don't own you no money. *still has his gun pointed at Eddie's head*

Darryl: Shut up yes you do. You know what I'm talking about.

Naww man you got the wrong one, I said.

Michael:*stands in front of Eddie * Look I don't know who you are but you might as well put that gun away. This my brother and I'll be damned if you or anybody else step up in his face like that for no reason. He said he don't own you nothing so what are you doing?You having a gun don't make you a man. If you shoot him, you going to jail, it'll be all over.

Darryl: I can take that risk.

*BANG* The gun went off.

Me: He shot me. He really shot me.

Michael POV:

He shot Eddie in the stomach. Mick charges at Darryl and starts punching him. I scream: SOMEBODY CALL AN AMBULANCE!!!!

Me: Eddie stay with me. I took off my shirt to hold down on his wound.

Eddie: I can't *mumbles * It's okay Michael, you stood up for me. I love you man, take care of Momma for me.

Me:*crying* No man don't you dare close your eyes. Stay with me Eddie.

The ambulance was here and rushed in an put Eddie on a gurney. The police picked Darryl up and read his rights.

Detective: You are under arrest, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.

*At the Hospital *

I'm in the waiting room with Mick shaking and shaking. My momma was here.

Momma: Oh Lord where is he? What happened? What they do to my baby?

The doctor came in and said: The Family of Eddie Jackson.

Yes, in unison

Doctor Jones: I'm sorry, he lost alot of blood and the bullet crushed his lungs.

Momma was crying loud and hysterical.

My body was numb, I couldn't feel anything. Suddenly the world around me seem to not exist. We lost him. He's gone.

Mick was crying. I never seen him cry. His eyes were red.

Mick: You gone be okay.

Me: My brother is dead. How can you ask me that? If I hadn't said anything, he would be here.

Can I see him? I asked the doctor.

Doctor: Right this way

I walk into the room and wait until the doctor left and I start talking to Eddie.

His body laid on a long steel table with a white sheet over his body. I undid the sheet a little and his body was pale blue. I broke down and started crying. I couldn't take it.

Michael: What am I gonna do without you? It should have been me, not you. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I'll forever blame myself. I give him a kiss on the cheek and roll the sheet back up and leave the room.

I walk to the lobby, it was empty. I guess Mick took Momma home. As I'm leaving for the door,the doctor from before stopped me.

Doc Jones: I'm sorry son. You know we tried everything in our power to keep him alive.

I just nod and leave out the front door and walk home. The moment the doctor gave me the news about Eddie was the day a huge piece of my heart died.