Laurance's POV:

I drove up to Garroth's dorm building with Garroth in the passenger seat. I could tell he didn't want to go in there. It was the next morning after a whole night of discussing and going over things with Chad. The last thing he wanted to do was walk in there without seeing Blaze. 

"We can do this tomorrow if you would like,", I suggested, not turning the car off completely after I parked. 

He softly smiled at me, bags under his eyes. "No...but, thank you for the offer. I need to do it now or I'll have to come back later." 

Chad had called the rooming facility at the university and arranged for Garroth to move out sooner. It was all understandable once he explained the situation to them and telling them to keep it unwraps until we had solved everything. We were here to pack Garroth's things. He was informed that someone, most likely Blaze's mother, would pick up his roommate's things. All he had to do is get his. I saw across the way Garroth's mother and father. They were told the news last night and rushed over here to help. Again. Something Garroth doesn't want to deal with right now. 

"Do you want me to talk to them first?", I asked. 

He shook his head and leaned back in his seat. "My Mom won't listen or believe anything until it comes out of my mouth. My Dad will probably just want an explanation for all of this." 

"Do you need me to do anything?", I asked to just make sure. 

He turned to me again and had a smirk on his face. His nose was still clogged from all the crying he did the night before, making him sound like he was going through a cold. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if he got sick after all of this. He said; "Just stand there and look pretty because, I look like a train wreck." 

I chuckled and got out of the car, him following suit. The campus gardens were starting to bloom with beautiful colors in the April morning. Garroth and I would've enjoyed it more under different circumstances. I took his hand and we walked over to the worried parents who soon trampled their son in a hug. Zianna smothered his face in kisses while Garte placed a hand on his shoulder. 

"Don't you dare do anything like that again!", Zianna shouted. 

"Mom...there are people around,", Garroth mumbled. 

"So? That doesn't mean this conversation isn't being put aside! Tell me why on earth you thought that was okay?", She demanded, drawing attention from little groups of friends around. I placed my hands on her shoulders and said; "We really should continue this conversation elsewhere. We don't want any of these students getting worried." 

"I agree Zianna. Let's just go help Garroth inside,", Garte said.

She calmed herself and said; "Okay...but, I expect an explanation later." 

"Of course Mom,", Garroth said, understanding her worry. 

We all went into the building and up the stairs to Garroth's dorm. He unlocked the door and he stepped in. The rest of us were just there for support...we could tell he was keeping his pain to himself. 

"Um...I think we should start with the closet. That's where most of my stuff is,", He said, pulling out a suitcase from under his bed. 

...

Garroth's parents closed the last box that we had brought to help pack, Garte lifting it in his arms. Zianna looked at her son with sympathy and said; "Do you want a minute Gar-Gar?" 

I could tell there was something wrong with Garroth since he didn't correct her with the nickname. He said to her instead; "I would love that." 

The two nodded and headed out. I turned to my boyfriend who was looking at the room. His side was completely barren while Blaze's was still full of items like blankets, posters, and interesting décor. I went to his side, not saying anything. I wanted him to have the moment for himself. He asked me though; "Was it stupid?" 

"Was what stupid?" 

"The plan,", He stated. 

I frowned and shrugged. "I think anyone would of came up with it in a situation similar to yours'." 

"But it cost someone's life Laur...Blaze's life,", He went up to his dresser and picked up a photo. It was a picture of them at a football game at the beginning of this year. They were smiling brightly with their school's colors on. "I think what bugs me the most is that I hated him for the last few weeks of his life. If I would've known..." 

I saw him get emotional again but, he refused to cry. I wrapped my arms around him, as I had been doing the past couple of hours, pulling him close. I just despised seeing him like this. Hurting...wishing he could've done better when really he probably couldn't. 

"Blaze told me to tell you that he was sorry,", Garroth said, barely above a whisper. "He didn't mean for it to go this far...I don't think he knew what he was getting into at all." 

He was still looking at the picture and all I could do was be there. It made me feel helpless at that moment. 

"I really wish I could make it all better babe...I really do." I kissed the top of his head for the millionth time, knowing that it did nothing to help what he was going through.

"I wish I could've been better,", My boyfriend breathed. 

I looked down at him and said; "What the hell are you talking about?" 

"I just wanted to fix all of this...and now I just made it worse,", He told me, looking at me like it was obvious. 

"Gar...do you realize how much you actually did? You found out who Blaze was, took control of the situation, handled the stress all on your own, figured out where The Flames were and their motive, and defended yourself all on your own,", I tried getting through with him, holding his arms. "You also acted on your best intentions. You examined the issue at hand and went with what you thought was best. That's all both Chad and I could ask for. I'm so proud of you Garroth. I'm sure Blaze would be too." 

A few tears fell from his eyes as he smiled. I tried to wipe them away while also trying to keep my own in but, it was no use. Garroth helped me and said; "It means a lot to hear that from you." 

"I mean it too. Garroth, you're amazing and I'm still shocked everyday that you're my sun." 

"I'm lucky to have you as a Phoenix Laurance...thank you for being here for me. You're literally my best friend." 

As a joke, to lighten up the mood, I smirked and said; "Ouch. Friend-zoned." 

"Oh shut up,", He chuckled, playfully hitting my arm, "you knew what I meant." 

"Yes I did,", I smiled, lifting his chin to peck his lips. "And I'm glad I can be that person for you...and have a little extra on the side~." 

He smirked and placed his hands on my chest. He then went in for a full kiss, surprising me with his sudden action. Usually he would blush profusely at my attempts at flirting and sorta shy away from them. My boyfriend just simply asked after seeing my expression; "What? It's been over a month since I've been able to do that." 

"I-I know...I'm just not used to you being so forward." 

"I literally just kissed you Laurance. It's nothing to get all flustered about,", Garroth laughed. 

It was nice to hear him laugh for the first time. It assured me that I was doing my job right. He looked at the picture again and he asked me; "Do you think his Mom would mind me taking this?" 

"I think she would understand,", I said honestly. 

"You think so?" 

I nodded and kissed his temple once again. "You ready to go?", I asked, after us just standing there for a few more minutes. He looked around once again before saying; "Yeah. I'm ready." I gave him a comforting smile and let out my hand to walk him out. He took it and we left the room, locking the door on the way out. Once we reached the lobby, Garroth handed in his key and we rejoined his parents outside. They hugged him one more time and said that they'll see him at graduation. They also mentioned for him to call them every night from now on but, I wasn't listening to every detail. They drove off with some of his things that he truly didn't have room for at my place and I helped him get his remaining stuff in our car. I got in the driver's seat and he got in the passengers. I looked at him, seeing my boyfriend genuinely okay after everything. It gave me a sense of relief and I said to him; 

"You do realize that Cadenza is going to make these next few weeks like a slumber party, right?" 

"Yeah...I kind of need it I think." 

"Not the way she does it,", I mumble, causing him to chuckle again. 

We drove off and I saw from the corner of my eye, the blonde in his exhausted state, wave goodbye to his campus. 

Word Count: 1569