Prologue
I can't believe it's only been sixteen years since Brian died.
It always feels like it was just yesterday we were on the bus laughing and enjoying the company of each other, until I close my eyes and try to remember what his laugh sounded like, or the way his features moved when he made certain faces. Then, it's hard to believe it hasn't been decades since we were there.
I remember spending long nights, staring into the darkness, thinking and feeling guilty. I even remember feeling guilty for feeling guilty, since I knew that's not what he wanted. 'No matter what', he'd said, 'never believe you're guilty.' But I couldn't help but believe somehow that it was my fault. My fault for going on the trip with him, letting him stop his treatments. My fault for listening to him when he tried to say good-bye, I guess.
And God knows I've raised my fair share of ruckus in the past sixteen years. I guess that's the way it goes when you lose your best friend and push everyone else away from you in the aftermath...
Story Notes:
Sequel to the story "Something Beautiful".
