If Only

He And We

Alice came outside, "Hey, you leaving soon?".

"Yeah. I don't know, Ty has been having some problems lately. It's like he's going through puberty again".

Alice laughed a little, "Wanna talk about it?".

"I don't know. He's just having mood swings, he can't be alone unless he gets really angry, he does get very angry, and he's just starting to be like me".

"Like you?".

"Rebellious" I said in a funny voice.

Alice sat beside me on the steps, "I'm sure it was just the whole prison thing. Maybe the Damien thing".

I shrugged, "Maybe".

"Tyler wouldn't survive in jail".

I smirked, "Yeah he would. Ty would thrive there. You may not think so because he's bi, but I think he could hide it easily".

Alice rested her head on my shoulder, "I love you Ben".

"I love you too. I gotta get going though, you have fun with your family".

Alice rolled her eyes, "I sure will".

I kissed her, got in my car, then got in my car. The drive back felt breathtaking. Not in the good way. It felt like everything was going a million miles a minute.

James was gone once I got there. When I went inside, it was quiet.

"Hey," Jess came in through the back door, "How was your night?".

"Good, kids at school?".

Jess nodded, "James just left. Surprised you're home this early".

I shrugged as I sat down on the couch, "Done with people".

"So is your brother. He's been sitting up in his room staring at nothing, ignoring everything".

I felt confused, "Really?".

"Yeah. It's weird".

I got up, "I'll go check on him".

Jess smiled as she began to clean the kitchen.

I went upstairs and knocked on the bedroom door, "Ty, you in there?".

"Yeah" He sounded blank.

I opened the door, "You look exhausted".

Ty didn't answer.

"How're you feeling?".

Ty shrugged slightly.

"Do you want me to leave you alone?".

Ty nodded a little.

I then left the room and went back downstairs.

"He kick you out?" Jess joked.

I smirked, "No, I kicked myself out. He wanted to be alone".

"It's only when he gets really blank and void that he wants to be alone. When he came home from the hospital he begged me to sleep on the other couch. He didn't wanna be alone".

I took a second, "Thats odd".

"That's what I thought".

I sighed, "I hope he's okay".

"Let's just give him his space. I'm just hoping he doesn't..." Jess stopped.

"What?" I asked.

"Sit down".

I went and sat at the kitchen table.

Jess sat across from me, "It's about mom".

"I don't wanna talk about mom".