A/N: Okay so this is an AU based off They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera. It's a very good book and it's very gay and I love it. 10/10 would recommend.
Evan was lying in bed, sleeping, when he heard his phone ringing.
His alarm clock read 12:01. He rubbed his eyes. Who would call him so early? Who would call him at all?
The phone then stopped ringing. Not long after, Evan's mother, Heidi, burst into the room. A few tears where streaming down her cheeks. "Sweetie! Are you okay?"
"What?" Evan asked groggily.
"I-I heard the alert."
"The alert?"
His phone began to ring again, and he realised it wasn't his usual ringtone. It was one he had heard on the news and in movies. It was the alert.
Sure enough, the ID read Death-Cast. He picked up his phone, his hand shaking. He swiped the screen to accept the call.
"H-Hello?"
"Hello, may I speak with Evan Hansen?" The voice on the other end said.
"This is him."
Heidi began to cry more.
"Hi there, Evan. My name is Vicki. I regret to inform you that sometime in the next twenty-four hours you'll be meeting an untimely death. And while there isn't anything we can do to suspend that, you still have a chance to live."
Evan began to cry as Vicki listed some activities he could do that day that weather would permit. She also told him about a website he could go to to fill out special requests for his funeral.
"Evan, on behalf of everyone here at Death-Cast, we are so sorry to lose you. Live this day to the fullest, okay?"
"O-Okay," Evan said softly. He hung up, then threw his phone at the wall, sobbing.
Heidi was sobbing too and rushed over to Evan, hugging him tight.
"It's n-not fair," he cried.
"This is all bullshit!" Heidi screamed. She kissed his forehead multiple times.
"I'd force you to stay in your bed all day with me sitting here to make sure nothing bad happened," she sniffed. "But I can't do that. You need to live this day to the fullest. I'll go cancel my shift and then we can talk some more, okay?"
Evan nodded as his mother left. He then slowly got out of bed, still trying to process it all, and retrieved his phone. He then went straight back to bed.
Evan had heard about an app called Last Friend. People who had recieved the alert- Deckers- would have the opportunity to meet up with other Deckers to live out the day. They could also meet with non-Deckers who were willing to lend a hand.
Evan went to the App Store and downloaded Last Friend. It downloaded instantaneously.
Evan set up a profile.
Dying Today... Not Dying Today.
Dying Today.
Name: Evan Hansen
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 160lbs
Orientation: Bisexual
Job: Part time apprentice park ranger
Interests: Trees, musicals, writing
Favourite Movies/ TV Shows/ Books: N/A/Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Who You Were in Life: A teenage boy who no one noticed.
Bucket List: Climb the tallest, highest tree at the orchard, have confidence to sing in front of someone, kiss or at least confess my feelings to my crush
Final Thoughts: You've gotta grab the moment while the moment's good.
He hit Submit and waited. A few were spam or fake accounts. However, he came across one that didn't look fake, although he was much older than Evan.
James. 47. Architect. Decker.
James: Hi there. Sorry for your loss.
Evan: Hello. Thanks. Sorry for your loss, too.
James: How are you holding up?
Evan: It's been a bit hard processing it. What about you?
James: Same. It was hard on my wife and kids as well. Are you married? Do you have kids?
Evan: No. I'm 17.
James: Oh right, sorry. Honestly, I didn't check your profile before talking to you. I'll go do that.
A few minutes later, James responded.
James: Evan Hansen?
Evan: Yes...?
James: Oh god.
James has logged off.
Evan sighed. Why had he left?
Heidi then returned, holding a tray with two hot chocolates and some biscuits.
"Thanks, mom."
"Anything for you, honey."
***
Connor was sitting on his bed, drawing when he got the alert. It was 12:05. He recognised the ringtone and picked up almost immediately.
"Hello, may I speak with Connor Murphy?"
"Yeah? It's me," Connor responded.
"Hi there, Connor. My name is Vicki. I regret to inform you that sometime in the next twenty-four hours you'll be meeting an untimely death. And while there-"
"Well, it's about fucking time!" Connor exclaimed. "What took you so long?"
"I... um... excuse me?"
"I can't thank you enough for finally fucking calling. Have a nice night." Connor hung up, smiling.
Multiple times, he had tried to prove the Death-Cast wrong. He had tried to meet with Death. Unfortunately, it had never happened.
Until now.
Even though he was finally dying, he figured he should probably be a decent person and help someone else deal with the fact that they would be dying. He downloaded Last Friend and set up a profile.
Dying Today... Not Dying Today
Dying Today.
Name: Connor Murphy
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 166lbs
Orientation: Homosexual
Job: N/A
Interests: Listening to music, playing guitar, painting, drawing, other art shit
Favourite Movies/ TV Shows/ Books: Girl, Interrupted/Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Catcher in the Rye
Who You Were in Life: A freak everyone hated.
Bucket List: To die.
Final Thoughts: Fuck it.
Connor rolled his eyes as he hit Submit, no longer giving a shit. Not that he ever did, anyway.
He scrolled through recommended profiles, eventually stumbling across a boy named Evan Hansen. 3 miles away.
Connor: sorry for your loss and all that shit
Evan: Oh um
Evan: Sorry for your loss, too
Connor: we go to the same school right
Evan: Yep
Connor: you like trees, huh
Evan: That's an understatement
Connor: youre such a nerd
Connor: its kinda adorable
Connor: so whos this crush of yours
Evan: Oh, don't worry about it. It's stupid
Connor: you can tell me. by the end of this day well both be dead so you can trust me
Evan: No, it's fine
Connor: say how about we meet up later and ill come with you whilst you confess or kiss them
Evan: You don't have to do that
***
Seriously, Connor did not have to do that.
Evan had never told anyone, but he had a small crush on Connor Murphy.
They were both alike in some many ways. For example, they were both outsiders just looking for a way to connect with other people.
Evan had told Jared that he had a crush on Zoe, so he would stop asking and so Evan wouldn't have to come out.
Maybe he could tell Connor the same thing.
Hopefully Connor wouldn't kill him.
Screw it, he was going to die anyway.
Evan: Fine
Evan: You have to promise to not murder me though
Connor: its zoe isnt it
Evan: Well
Evan: Yes
Connor: i mean i would help you build up courage to kiss her
Connor: but shes dating someone. you could still tell her how you feel though
Evan: You took that surprisingly well. Thanks
Connor: not a problem buddy-o
***
Was Connor disappointed that Evan had a crush on Zoe rather than on him?
A little bit.
Connor wasn't sure if he had a crush on Evan, as he hadn't felt these feelings before. However, he suspected it was a crush.
They'd only spoken to each other a few times, but Connor still thought Evan was the most adorable boy he had ever seen.
Connor: so how about we meet up later
Connor: you said you wanted to go to the orchard in your profile. ill pick you up at 8?
Evan: Sure. Sounds great
Connor: then well go back to my place and you can confess your feelings to my sister
Evan: Ugh. Okay
***
Heidi sat with Evan the whole morning. They watched Disney movies and ate a huge breakfast they had made together. Pancakes, bacon, kransky, toast. It was really good.
Just after 8, Evan heard a knock at the door.
He had told Heidi about how Connor wouldbe picking him up and how he was a fellow Decker.
Before opening the door, Evan gave him mom a huge hug.
"Just in case I... you know," Evan started. He began to cry. "I love you. So, so much. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I want you to continue to live a happy life. Travel. Do everything you ever dreamed of doing. Okay?"
Heidi choked on tears. "Okay. I love you, honey. You were the best thing to ever happen to me. I love you so, so, so, so, so, so much. I just wish I was there for you more."
"You were always there for me."
"I wish we had more time. It isn't fair."
"I know. But you have to live life to the fullest, okay? Be happy."
"Okay. G-Goodbye, Evan. I love you."
"I love you too, mom. Goodbye."
Evan opened the door, not bothering to wipe his tears. Connor was standing there.
"Hey," Connor said.
"Hi," Evan said quietly. He turned around, gave his mom possibly one last hug, then walked out the door.
Heidi didn't stop yelling out "goodbye," or "I love you, honey," until Connor's car was out of sight.
In the car, Evan continued to cry.
"Tough saying goodbye?" Connor asked quietly. Evan nodded. "I can turn around, if you want. You can go spend your End Day with your mom."
"No, i-it's okay," Evan sniffed.
"You sure?"
"Yes."
Soon, they arrived at the orchard. They both waited a moment before getting out the car.
"Do you..." Connor cleared his throat. "Do you need a hug?"
Evan nodded, unbuckling his seat belt and awkwardly moving closer to hug him. It was comforting to be in the embrace of the taller boy.
After a few minutes, Evan spoke up. "Do you want to go climb that tree now?"
Connor chuckled. "Sure."
They got out the car and made their way down the path through the orchard. They made sure to stay close together.
Soon, they were at the tallest tree. Evan reached up to grab a branch, Connor following.
A few branches up, Evan stopped. He sat on the branch.
Connor pulled himself up and sat next to him. "Everything okay?"
Evan nodded. "Just... thinking."
Connor took a deep breath, and turned towards Evan. Evan turned so he was facing Connor.
"I... I have something to confess," Connor said. They were sitting very close; their legs were touching. "I know you like my sister an all, so this will probably be a bit awkward, but..." he took another deep breath. "I like you. I have for some time now. And I get it, you like my sister, I respect that. I mean, I would be lying if I said it doesn't hurt. You want to kiss my sister, I want to kiss you, but don't worry, I won't-"
Evan cut him off by leaning in and pressing his lips against his. Evan's first kiss with his first crush on his last day. He felt giddy and happy, especially when Connor put his hands on Evan's face to kiss him back, deepening the kiss.
Evan pulled away, still remaining close, whispering in his ear. "I kind of lied," Evan admitted. "I like a different Murphy. I just didn't want you to be weirded out."
Connor chuckled, kissing him again. They both wanted to fit in as many kisses as they could in the little amount of time they had.
"I think I have enough energy to climb to the top of the tree now!" Evan laughed. He gave Connor a quick peck on the lips for good luck, then continued to pull himself up the branches. Connor slowly followed.
Evan reached the top branch. The rising sun shining onhis face, an orange sky. It was beautiful.
Before he could process what was happening, he heard a sickening crack, then felt himself falling to the ground.
***
Connor's heart skipped a beat when he saw Evan falling.
He wasn't going yet. Not this early in the day.
Connor quickly climbed down and rushed to Evan's side. He checked his pulse. Nothing. Evan was covered in scratches and his arm was in an unnatural angle.
Connor began to sob.
***
The ambulance soon arrived. Evan Hansen was pronounced dead. They put him in a body bag, not giving Connor a chance to say goodbye. Evan was put in the back of the ambulance, which soon drove off.
Connor, still sobbing, walked away, thinking about Evan. He was a sweet boy who just wanted to be noticed.
He kissed his crush. He climbed the tree.
He never got the chance to sing.
Connor reached the entrance to the orchard and stepped on to the road, not giving the truck enough time to swerve.
A/N: Wow that was the longest chapter I've ever written.
Sorry if it was bad. It's like 1:00 in the morning.