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(Vic's POV)

I typed in my last few answers onto the online paper, every bit of school work I did was on the computer. I leaned back in my black office chair, pursing my lips and drumming my fingers over my stomach. My mind was buzzing with hope, hoping that I wouldn't fail the assignment I'd just spent three hours on. I hit send so it would be checked, and gulped down the knot in my throat.

Mom coughed thickly from her room and I jumped up, knowing Mike wouldn't help her. Since she'd gotten sick, he's secluded himself, isolated himself from the rest of the family at all times unless absolutely necessary. I pushed her polished door open and grimaced. She'd vomited on herself again.

"I'll get a rag, Mama." I said quietly, averting my eyes from her mess. I hurried into her connected bathroom and reached beneath the granite counters to get a rag then wet it with warm water. After I had squeezed out some of the water, I went back to her. I pressed it to her pale forehead and put my hand on her cheek. "I'll be fine." She nearly whispers, eyes shut in a headache no doubt. I shudder and pull away, then go search for the mop.

My heart aches as I clean up after her. She is a shell now, sick every waking moment, chemo doing nothing for her but bringing more sickness. She called it quits two months back and she looked as bad as ever, but we'd never say that. After I'd cleaned her sick up, I went to her aged dresser, pulling the gold knobs, and grabbed her a fresh gown.

I helped her change and she thanked me, running her fragile fingers through my hair. "Thank you, my son. I don't know--" She coughed again and I shut my eyes and I lay my head on her chest. I could feel her bones rattling under the pressure and my stomach churned. "I don't know what I'd do without you." I smile slightly and rub her arm comfortingly. We say I love you's and I leave quickly, my chest aching with grief. She's nearly gone.

My mood brightens when my phone buzzes from the desk in the office, where I spend most of my days. I quickly cut the screen on, hoping it is Kellin, and it is. Are you busy today? Mom and Dad aren't home until eleven tonight. I smiled excitedly and typed a quick response. Just the sight of his messages brightened my day, always did. He was kind and open minded, contradicting with his rude parents. Did he have siblings?

I'm not busy. You could come over today, Mike won't be home later.

Mike? I feel stupid after his reply comes in. I think back and realize I have not mentioned him since meeting Kellin for the first time. Wow, I bet I sound like a horrible brother. But then again, we hardly talk. What was there to tell about him? Yeah, my brother. You want to? I made sure to tilt the attention away from Mike and onto later today. I checked the clock, 2:48. Not too much longer, I think with a small smile.

I know I probably made Kellin feel weird for being all nice all of a sudden, but I needed someone and he was there. Of course, I was hesitant with fear that he'd be like his folks, but now I knew not to worry about that. Sure, meet under the tree? I bite the inside of my cheek, then move to my lip. It was supposed to be warmer today and I didn't like hot wether, he could come inside. Well, as long as we keep it down for Mama.

It's supposed to be really hot. Inside? I have an xbox or whatever.

My nails dig into my palms and then drum on my thigh in angst. I've never invited someone inside but I felt okay with Kellin. I didn't feel like he'd be the type to mention my mother's constant coughing or father's odd behavior. By odd behavior, I mean rarely home, and then when he is, never speaks. It was sad here most of the time, filled with realization that Mama was near the end. I couldn't picture it here without her, a house full of men without any idea of how to run a household.

Yeah, sounds fun. See you in a bit :) I just got on the bus. I smile and tap my foot, biting my lip a little. I hear my mom cough and I avert my attention from Kellin. She stops, seeming to catch her breath a little, so I ease back into my chair. I rub my temples and collect my phone from the floor. My friend needs to hurry from school, I think solemnly. I need this off my chest.

_______

(Kellin's POV)

I straighten my long sleeve white shirt and swipe my palms over my black skinny jeans to remove the sweat from my hands. Why did I have to choose long sleeves on such a hot day? I'm an idiot. The heat of my phone had caused them to sweat again, as Kelly rambled in my ear to my annoyance. "And then Jenna was like-"

"Kelly, I can't do this." I say suddenly after the lump in my throat died down. My tongue no longer feels like a cement block, but an actual body part. Less dry and easier to possess. "What?" She asks, sounding puzzled. I rub my temples and then play with fabric of my shirt. "This-- the phone thing. It doesn't work for me." Kelly sighs and she seems to half-scoff. If she's that annoyed, she needs to hang up.

I grin at my own rude thought and sit back in my seat. "Why not? I'm your girlfriend, you know?" My eyes roll and I feel my pulse quicken with anger. She just won't let it go, I think. "Yeah, yeah. But," I ponder for the right words. "I can't stop having a phobia because I like you. Doesn't work like that." She huffs and I furrow my eyebrows; she can't be serious, I'm the annoyed one here.

"Just call me later." She says.

"I will text you later, Kelly." Then I hung up before she could say I love you. I stuff my phone in my pocket and clench my jaw, running my free hand through my hair. My stop is coming up so I ready my things to get off with an extra jolt of aggression in my veins. I feel my body sliding forward as the bus driver hits the break and I place my hand on the back of seat and clench the blue leather.

My legs work quickly as I hurry off the bus, ignoring people's goodbyes. I'm usually not a dick, I swear, but she fucked my mood over. I climb down the steps and glance at Vic's house, windows shut and drapes are drawn. So I retreat into my house and let my book bag tumble onto the couch. I walk slowly to the kitchen and grab a soda, then head out.

Vic is waiting under our tree when I arrive, just like he was last time. Maybe we are going inside later then. He greets me and I do the same, kicking my shoes off and sitting down next to him. Our shoulders rest against each other as we sit there with our backs on the bark. "Can I vent?" He asks suddenly, his voice cracking a little. The sun peaks through some of the long branches and sad looking leaves, putting gold in his dark eyes. I nod, "Of course."

Vic takes a deep breath and begins. "I hate it. I hate living like that. My dad is rarely home and when he is, he hardly speaks. Mom is sick and I'm the only one who'll take care of her, plus school all day. It stresses me out and I don't what to fucking do about it. I don't have anyone. Mike doesn't speak, neither does Dad, Mama can't do anything. My life is so--" He puts his hand over his mouth and frowns deeply, eyes glistening with tears in the light of the sun. "It's horrible. I know I sound selfish and ungrateful, but I cant-- I'm sorry."

I frown as I feel my insides sink, I wrap an arm around his shoulder and pull him so his face is in the crook of my neck. I feel wet tears soak into my shirt and on my shoulder but it doesn't bother me. Vic nudges his nose in my shoulder with a sniffle and more tears flow. I don't speak, I let him get it out. He seemed quite upset but still, his tears are silent. I rub his heaving back tracing my thumb over his spine, shushing him comfortingly.

He heaves again and I wrap both arms around him, catching the first sound of sobs. Then he shuts up again and is silent as he cries. I run my fingers though his hair and caress his shoulders and back, anything to calm him down. "You have someone," I whisper. "I'm here, right?" Vic nods against my neck and pulls away, swiping at his eyes and wet cheeks quickly. "Sorry, it was a bad day." I nod, "S'fine, I understand. Want to go inside then?"

Vic nods and stands, the pulls me up as he sniffles again. I give him a small smile and follow him from under the sad tree. The inside of his house is just as nice as the outside, dark wood floors and granite counters, all new appliances and soft furniture. My eyes scan over the little decorations as he leads me back a little past the living room to a polished white door. Fancy, I think with a grin.

It's a game room, I soon discover. It's got an XBOX and chairs around a big TV set. There's a stereo and stack of CDs by all different artists, a plush sofa by the wide window. "Wow," I saw with raised eyebrows. "Nice." He smiles a little, "Thanks." We play the game and we laugh whenever the other dies, we're silently challenging one another. I glance down, running my eyes over Vic's little legs.

They're small, accompanied by knobby little knees that make my cheeks flush and my mouth beg to let out that awe sound, one that resembles someone who may have just witnessed ducklings crossing the street gingerly behind the mother. I shake my head to conceal it, stomach tingling with a weird feeling. Cute, I think wish a blush still invading my face. My palms are sweating again and the controller is tougher to hold. I slide my palms over my jeans and purse my lips.

There's coughing, almost painful sounding. Vic immediately pauses the game and rushes out without a word, leaving me puzzled. Was that his mom? He did say she was sick, but that sounded really bad. He must be taking care of her then like he said, I hear him scurrying around in the echo of the big hose with few souls to occupy it. Only four people lived here, when about seven could properly function in the space.

When he returns, he looks shaken up but doesn't mention it. "Was that your mom?" I ask, trying to shield the sympathy. "Yeah, like I said, sick." He mutters. I nod, "I'm sorry." He shrugs a little and I hear him sigh but don't mention it because he seems like he doesn't want to discuss it. And I was fine with that, just being here was enough for me. I don't have to know every detail, but I'd like to know about him.

So I ask. "Twenty questions while we play?" I suggest. "S'fine with me." He smiles a little. He seemed relieved the attention is off of his mother and it's completely understandable. "Actually, just twenty facts. I suck at the questions." I roll my eyes at myself and Vic does the same. "Okay, fine."

"My name is Kellin Quinn Bostwick. I love music. Uh, I don't really see my parents often. Reading is great. I hate my girlfriend. School sucks ass. My favorite color is red or blue, uh, I like astronomy, and my favorite band is Foo Fighters right now. I really enjoy these afternoons we have. I wear Toms too much, I'm horrible at telling jokes, and my hair is too important to me. My pants are too tight and my brain is too small. That sums it up, I think," I say with an amused smile. My mind had ran dry with facts but why not throw a little dry humor in there?

"You still have five to go, actually." Vic says, nudging my side. Jesus, he won't give me a break. I smile and sigh, thinking as I shoot his character. We cheer when he falls and start a new round, my body tingling with excitement and adrenaline from the win. "I live life by routine, I have a small appetite, I sing in the shower," I wracked my brain for more. Two more, I think. "Uh," I shrug, getting annoyed with my lack of self knowledge. I haven't thought this hard in years, I think.

I sigh, rubbing my temples. "My friends are stupid and I wish I was homeschooled. There, twenty."

Vic opened his mouth to do his twenty, but there was coughing again. He sighs and rubs his temples and listens out, like he's timing the cough. The poor lady stops and he purses his lips and sits back normally. We sit in silence for a little while, and he seems drawn away. "Sorry about it, she can't help it." He whispers. "No, no," I say, having the urge to hug him again. "It doesn't bother me. Maybe we can play later." I wanted to hear his twenty facts but I knew he was stressed, so I let it go.

Vic leads me to his room and cuts on some music I don't recognize. It is slower than any I listen to, I ask him what it is. "Marley," Vic grins. "Calms me down." I nod, "Are you upset?" He shrugs as we sit on the bed. He lays back on the pillows and drums his finger over his belly. I look at him for assurance that it's okay that I follow his lead and he smiles a little to give me an okay. I lay beside him and let out a long breath, pulling my knees up and playing with the material of my jeans. It's become quite a habit lately, that and swiping my palms on my jeans. Just another routine.

"I just wish things were different." He sighs quietly. I look at him and smile slightly; he's so cute, I think. Kelly looms in the back of mind but then I feel anger coming on so I push her image away. "Me too," I bite the inside of my cheek. "Me too."

_______

Just introducing a bit of kellic. :)

It's actually hard to write Vic's parts? I didn't know it would be until.. Like now.

Thanks for reading. Lol ily :) x p.s. I was nervous that this wouldn't get reads but you guys seem to like it? Thank you so much <3

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