Flashing Lights

Brook

I get out of the car. I get the flowers off the backseat and start walking. I'm the first to arrive. It's sunny, and there's a warm breeze, and I decide to sit by the side of the river, watching the gentle ripples on the water. It's so quiet, and it hasn't changed at all. I can feel tears pricking my eyes, and I close them, letting the 2 tears just drip down my face.

I hear a rustle behind me and I turn around. When I see Sonny I smile and stand up. His hair is slightly longer, but other than that, he looks the same. His eyes are so swollen, and he looks so sad. I hug him, and he holds me.

Brook: Are you ok?

He nods.

Sonny: You look nice with stubble Brook.

I smile at him, just as be with notice Jack. We watch him walking towards us. We hold out our arms and he hugs us. When we pull away, I run my fingers through his hair. The ginger highlights in his dark brown hair make him look... good. He smiles at me.

Brook: It looks amazing Jack!

Jack: Thanks

I see Jack look at the place where we sat a year ago and a single tear runs down his face.

Jack: I can't believe it's been a year.

I smile slightly, and think back, when we were sitting in a circle, all of us perfectly happy, and I can tell the others are too. I want to say something, but it hurts too much, so we sit in silence, thinking about everything.

I turn around, to see Rye walking, fast, towards us. He's a mess, his clothes crumpled, and his hair everywhere. He's wearing his glasses, which is immediately confusing for all of us.

Brook: Um-

The boys look at me and I point at Rye. We all stand up. I take his hands as he stops in front of us. He's breathing so heavily, like he has been running for ages. His eyes are so wide, and he doesn't look... right. I squeeze his hands, and he lets go, before he runs his fingers through his hair.

Sonny: Rye-

He looks at Sonny, then at all of us, blinking so fast, his eyes barely stopping moving. He looks nervous... scared.

Jack: Rye, what's happening?

He stands still, looking from Jack, to me, to Sonny. He takes a deep breath, momentarily closing his eyes. He opens his eyes, not quite looking at any of us. He opens his mouth.

Rye: He's not dead.