I'll Meet You There
By: Nicole
He sat on the cold wooden floor, clad in nothing more than boxers and tube socks. There was a fire crackling in front of him, teasing him, lashing out with it's yellow and orange flames, their reflection dancing across his damp eyes. He held a crimson red rose in his hand, a rose bursting with life, so much life. Life was something he didn't have anymore. Life was something he'd taken unjustly. He closed his eyes, fighting back the persistent tears. He wouldn't cry. No, he had no reason to cry, at least not for himself. He could hear the frantic pounding on the bedroom door, probably belonging to Benji. And then he heard the annoyingly high pitched whining of sirens seeping into the background and growing louder. Louder and louder until they stopped. They just stopped.
This was his chance, his only chance. His shaky hands snaked their way to his salvation, his long fingers curling around the cold metal. Squeezing his eyes shut, he took a deep breath, quickly swiping the sharp metal over his arm. From his wrist to his elbow. The searing pain shot through his arm like a bullet and he wanted to scream. But he wouldn't scream, he couldn't scream. He wouldn't allow himself the relief when he denied it from him. He would be with him soon... Just a few more seconds.
He cast his blurring gaze towards the window and out to the painted sky. It was beautiful, sunset and the shades of purple mixed with the orange so perfect. Just like him, perfect. "I'm sorry, I love you."
The world seemed to fade into an empty black, and he knew this was the end. He smiled, he'd be with him and he couldn't wait to see his perfect smile again. No one understood why he did it, not even himself. But it was too late to wonder, it had already been done and there was no changing the fact that he killed him. He killed his love, the one star in his empty sky. He heard a faint laughter, his laughter. And then he saw him.. So perfect in his traditional black, and he smiled at him. Oh that smile, that smile that accompanied him into pure bliss many nights.
He took his hand, soft porcelain hands, so pale and fragile. "Welcome back, love."
But his hand slipped from his grip, and he was falling from away. He tried to scream out, cry, anything to get him back to him. He needed him more than anything. And he saw the sticky tears crawling down his cheeks, his perfect cheeks. But he caught him at then end of the fall, in his thin fragile arms. And he smiled, a smile that showed you he caught you because he forgave you for what you did to him, and he understood why you did it. He helped him to his feet, his long, warm fingers intertwining themselves with his. And the two of them walked hand in hand to the edge of the light, greeted by lush green grass and a crowd of saddened faces.
He cocked his head to the side in confusion. They were crying, but for what? And that's when he saw it. Two marble headstones, almost drowned out by the sea of flowers surrounding them. He saw Benji, puffy eyed and empty, and he knew why. They did this. They stayed there, watching and waiting for someone to notice them. But none did, they knew why, and as much as they hoped for it to happen, no one would notice them, they were dead.
Hours passed and the crowd slowly parted, but two of them stayed, even after nightfall. Benji knelt down by the two elegant headstones, choking back his sobs in an effort to speak. "Bro, I miss you so much. But don't worry, I promised I'd never leave you and.. And I just wanted you to know about.. About me and Paul. See, we've been dating and.. Bro, he doesn't want me to leave him either.. But don't worry, the band will be back together in a few days, we even have two spots beside you guys' that are empty and waiting for us.. You and Billy better be waiting for us okay?" He brushed his fingertips across the name on the stone on the right, a steady stream of salty tears falling from his red, puffy eyes.
He wanted to touch him so bad, just reach out and tell him not to do it, but then again, he was starting to miss his brother, even if he did have him. Billy placed his hand on his shoulder, catching his attention. He nodded, kissing him on his tanned forehead. "It's okay Joel, we'll wait for them, and it will be perfect forever."
He nodded slowly, reaching a shaky hand out and tracing over the words carved onto the two stones. 'Joel Rubben Madden.. March 11, 1979- February 14, 2005.. Born with his twin and died with his love.. We'll miss you and Billy..' His hand glided across to the other stone. ' William "Billy" Martin.. June 15, 1981-Febuaray 14, 2005.. Youngest of the bunch and still the first to go.. We'll miss you and Joel..'