***Emi’s POV***

                “Wait…what?” I whispered and he nodded. “Yea. Ari wasn’t his real name. It was just a nickname, but it’s all Taylor ever called him, so I don’t know his real name. I can’t remember it, at least. I think I heard it maybe 3 times. He died in a car accident, a little over a year ago. It ruined Taylor for a little. They hadn’t been on the best of terms when it happened. He claimed he was over it and that it didn’t bother him anymore.”

                I tried to take that all in. “Was he driving the car?” Gavin nodded. “Yea. God, he and Taylor were like brothers. Honestly, if you had seen them, you would’ve thought they were gay lovers. They were so damn close.”

                “What do you mean they weren’t on the best of terms when it happened?” I asked. Gavin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Ari absolutely hated drugs and alcohol. He usually put up with Taylor, but they started fighting over it about 2 weeks before the accident killed him. They never completely made up before Ari died.”

                “Oh Taylor,” I whispered. “Was he…did the accident deform him? Was it really bad?” I asked, not sure I really wanted to know the answer.

                Gavin shrugged. “It was pretty bad. The car was totaled. But I don’t think Ari was. I’m pretty sure he had an open casket. I should’ve known Tay was full of bullshit. There’s no way he’d get over his best friend’s death so easily.”

                “Maybe he was seeing Ari right after his death, but not in a violent way,” I said slowly, trying to think this out as I spoke. “Maybe it was actually comforting him a little. So he could honestly tell you guys he was over it, because to him, Ari wasn’t really gone. Did he cut down on the drugs and alcohol after Ari’s death?”

                Gavin froze and nodded slowly. “I think you’re right. He DID cut down on the drugs and alcohol for a little while after Ari’s death. But then he cranked it up to the max, before evening out to his usual substance doses.”

                “So Taylor started doing drugs to keep his Hallucinations away,” I said and Gavin shook his head. “No, he did drugs and drank before Ari died. Remember, that’s why they started fighting. Ari hated Tay’s substance abuse. They got in a nasty fight over it, but they had made up a little bit from that by the time he died. I’m not sure Taylor would’ve been able to handle it if they hadn’t.”

                “God, I want to know exactly what happened now. How did he get in the car accident?” Gavin shrugged helplessly. “I honestly can’t remember, Emi. I think there was substance involved, but I can’t remember if it was him or the other driver. Probably the other driver. Ari hated drugs and alcohol with a passion. And the irony is that, if I’m right, his dad became an alcoholic after he died.”

                “That’s some cruel irony,” I grumbled and Gavin nodded. “Yea. So…that’s why part of the reason why I told you not to judge him too harshly. You never know what someone’s been through. Everyone just thinks he’s a waste of space, but he’s got it rough. And it’s not even his fault. It’s not his fault his best friend died, and it’s not his fault he has Hallucinations. He can’t help it. Everyone judges him so harshly, and he really doesn’t deserve it. Taylor’s a good guy.”

                I nodded in agreement. “I feel awful for judging him. Does he ever talk about Ari?” Gavin shook his head. “Never. But I guess he’s been talking to Ari. That’s not good for him, Emi. It’s going to drive him crazy, literally. He can’t handle it. If he starts talking to his dead best friend, he’s going to get sent away. We have to find a way to stop this. Convince him Ari really is dead, and that it’s just a Hallucination. I…I think he gets confused when he Hallucinates. He thinks that what he’s seeing is real. Will you help me?”

                I nodded. “Of course! I’ll ask him about it. I don’t want to send him into another Hallucination, but it’s really the only way. I’ll just ask what he was talking about. I want to help him. I feels o bad for judging him.”

                Gavin smiled softly and hugged me. “You’re a good kid, Emi,” he said and kissed my forehead. “And so is he. He really likes you.” I blushed a little but shook my head. “It wouldn’t work, even if he did. I hate that I judged him, but I just couldn’t be with someone who does drugs and drinks like that. Even if it’s necessary for him, I just couldn’t deal with it.”

                Gavin nodded sadly. “I know. And it’s okay, I understand. Just take it easy on him from now on, okay? Don’t get his hopes up.”

                “I won’t. I just want to help him. It’s the least I can do after I was so mean to him,” I said and hugged Gavin again before going off in search of Taylor.