May. It's freaking May! May first to be exact. Five months after the doctors told me, personally, Garroth would be up. Do they realize how important he is to us? 
I keep having that incident play in my mind. The screams. The eyes. The fear. All at once. It's officially scared me. At least, I leave my dorm in a few days and go back to my mother's home.

Now, let me say, does this who thing affect me emotionally? Yes. Do I let it get in the way of my school and relationship life? No. I'm leaving campus with almost straight As and my friends are all with me during this time of need.

Most of my friends. Laurance was right. He hasn't talked to me at all since December. I don't blame him for that though. It was my fault. All of this is my fault. I need to talk to him.

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I knocked on the same door that I remember so clearly. In a matter of seconds, the door opens to reveal the brunette boy that I've known for so long. His smile disappeared once he saw me.

"What do you want?" He asked

"To talk." I say with a soft smile

"There's obviously nothing to talk about since Garroth isn't up yet so, good day."

"Wait, look, I only came to ask you something."

"What?"

"How do you know you're in love?"

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"So, you think you like stutter king?" Laurance asked with a smirk

"M-Maybe. I don't know quite honestly. I don't know if it's out of pity or just real love. I wanted to get your advice on it."

His couch hasn't change since fall. It's nice to see.

"Well, look, I don't know your brain anymore. One day you're head over heals for the bad boy now, your saying you like the goody goody?"

"Pretty much." I nervous laugh

He rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"You're in a pickle, aren't cha?" He teased

"Yeah. I guess I am."

He got up and went into the kitchen. Soon after he brought to glasses of ice tea and gave one to me. I raised an eyebrow in suspension.

"It's not poison."

I took it and realized that it was my favorite flavor.

"You kept my box?" I asked

"Yep. I hoped that we would become friends again so I kept it."

"Are we?"

He look at me, tear brimming his eyes along with a smile.

"I missed you Aph. Like, a lot. I was being a real jerk and I was going through a anger mourning situation. Sadly, I put it out on you, my best friend."

I placed a hand on his knee.

"Laurance, stop. Look, we both made mistakes. All we have to hope is that Garroth wakes up." I say softly

"Hopefully."

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Laurance's POV:

Once I got his text, I couldn't wait any longer. I had to fight the urge to go at once. It was late afternoon and expected him to be spending time with family. Besides, Vylad told me he wouldn't be leaving til later in the morning.

I looked at the clock across the room door, eight am. I sighed, hoping he was up. I let the door nob turn as I slowly pushed the door open. I quietly walked in, remembering there's a small wall between the door and the main room.

"Doctor Doctor, is that you?" Asked a fimilar hoarse accent voice

I turned the corner to see him. Not in bed but, in a chair by the window, looking out to the city outside. He had what seemed to be a cup of coffee or tea in his hands and was enjoying the view.

Tears started to blur my vision. It was like a dream I never wanted end.

"G-Garroth...?" I asked shakily, half believing it was him

He turned and went wide eyed once he saw me. He smiled softly.

"Hey bro."

I ran over, sobbing. It was really him. He was here. I let my arms surround him in a hug and let a few sobs and tears come. He did the same, obviously knowing how emotional this was for me and maybe him. Once emotional time was over, I pulled up a chair and sat next to him.

"Why aren't you asleep?" I asked

"Well, sleeping for nine months causes not to be tired believe it or not." He joked

"Heh, true. How's the...coffee?"

"Well, they didn't have tea so, yeah. It tastes terrible by the way but, I guess if makes me feel like nothing had happened."

I smiled.

"How are you... Feeling about all of this?"

"Terrified, shocked, unprepared, all of the above."

"Figures."

He slumped back in his chair.

"Laurance, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."

"I never thought for a second that you wanted this. Look, I'm sorry. I was the one who encouraged you to talk to Aph and bother you with texts while you were driving."

"Eh, I should've just left you hanging."

We just sat there in silence for a while. It was nice. The room felt calming for once.

"Have you-"

"No. I never want to."

"What? You never knew what I was going to say." I stated

"You were going to ask me if I talked to Aph yet and no, I really don't want to. The real question is, did you two make up?"

"Yeah. We were being dumb. Mainly me. Look, are mad at her or at yourself?"

"Me. Aphmau is great girl and she broke my heart. That's because I let her in. I think it'd be best if we didn't talk." He explained

"Garroth, listen. She has been the most emotional about this. She needs some closer. Please."

He looked at me and sighed.

"Fine. Tomorrow I'll talk to her."

"Good."

Silence. I missed him a lot. I was so happy to have him back home.

"Do you still love her?" I asked

"I don't know. Sleeping on it didn't help."

We laughed. For the first time in nine months. We laughed as brothers.

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