grab your tissues, because this'll be a sad one!

by the way, here's a picture of Mikey/Mike for those of you wondering..

//

SODA AND I literally sprinted - and never stopped - until we got to Mike's house. When we were right in front of his house, I stopped in my tracks and took a shaky breath.

"No no no no....." I trailed and started shaking my head.

"Blue, what's wrong? We're just going to see Mikey." Soda looked very concerned.

"Bent's not outside! He always takes Bent outside at this time, he told me." I pointed at the chain with no dog at the front porch.

"I'm sure he was just too tired to take Bent out today, okay?" Soda reassured me and I nodded, walking to the front steps with him.

I slowly opened the door and all I heard was silence. I looked around and didn't see Bent anywhere. I approached Mike's door and once my hand touched the handle I froze.

I can't do this.

Soda put his hand on top of mine and nodded. We both opened the door, and I started breathing heavily.

Bent was laying on the bed, snuggled up with Mike. I walked over to the bed and glanced at Mike's chest. It wasn't moving.

"No......." I choked out and ran into Soda's arms.

He rubbed my hair and kept saying, "Shhhh... I got you."

Soon, the police, and the rest of the gang came. The police tried to push me out of the room.

"You can't be in here anymore, Winston." The girl police officer snapped, knowing I was Dally's sister.

I pushed her back and ran to Mike's bedside. I gave him a hug and whispered. "Goodbye, Mike. I love you."

I went to get Bent off the bed beside Mike and he kept whining, which made me want to cry even more. "It's okay, Bent. C'mon buddy." I cooed while tears fell down my face.

Once I took Bent out into the living room with the rest of the gang, the girl police office who I pushed gave me a dirty look and went back into Mike's room.

A piece of paper fell from Bent's collar and I picked it up and grabbed it. I opened it and my bottom lip started quivering as soon as I saw the first few words of Mike's shaky hand writing.

Dear Skylar,

I knew you'd come. I knew you were going to be upset, and that's okay. Please do me the biggest favor and take Bent home with you. He already likes you, so he should have no problem coming home with you. His leash is outside and dog food is in the kitchen. Make sure you get the specific brand that I have for him. Sheesh, that dog is so picky it's the only thing he eats. I'd really appreciate it, Skye.

Now on to you. You were like the daughter I never had, and you told me I was like your second father. It meant a lot to me when you said that. I cherished all of the moments we shared. You never missed but one or two days a week, but other than that you came to the Dingo and Jay's every day ever since you were thirteen years old and your parents allowed you to go without them. I remember when your parents used to bring you and ol' Dally. Y'all were about the happiest and cutest family I've seen. It always made my day brighter when the Winston's would show up.

Then, once you were thirteen, you started coming with Soda and Steve everyday making sure you always greeted me. You three came so much I already knew what you were going to order. Promise me, Skylar, that you'll forgive Soda for what he's done. I don't know if you already did yet, but it's a small town. You'll see him everyday anyways, so why not forgive him? I hope you three stick together through life. I've never really had any friends growing up, but when I met you, Soda, and Steve, I knew what friendship meant. You three always stick up for each other and don't let anything change that.

I love you so much, my little Skye. Take care in life and never let go of the friends you have.

Especially Soda.

Love you from the bottom of my heart,

Mike.

I slowly folded the piece of paper in my pocket and hugged Bent while crying into his fur. The gang all sat there giving me faces of sympathy. I looked Bent in the face with tears in my eyes and smiled. "I guess you're mine now, buddy."

I went in the kitchen and grabbed his dog food, bowl, and water bowl, making sure to put everything in a bag. I walked outside and untied the leash from the pole and hooked it around Bent's collar, me holding the other end.

Soda took the bag out of my hand and held my hand. I held Bent by the leash and we all walked out together.

[picture of Bent below. HE'S SO ADORABLE. HE'S A BULLDOG.]

Soda, Bent, and I walked towards my house in silence. Steve was also there in the living room with the gang, but I ignored him.

I know what Mike said in the letter, and I'll forgive Steve, but definitely not now. When we approached my front porch, Sarah opened the door with a look of worry on her face.

"I felt like I haven't seen you in days!"

"Yeah, well, I took care of Steve and Claire for you with Soda and then I went to the DX. After I left, we went to Mike's house and..." I looked down at Bent and tears threatened to pour down my face again.

Sarah pulled me into a hug. "Aw, Skye. I'm so sorry. I heard what you did to Steve and everything you said. I don't know what I'd do without you. Now it's your turn to get into bed. Now! After everything you've been through today you need some rest."

"But what about Bent?" I questioned in a monotone voice, my face stuck with the same melancholy expression.

"I'll take care of him. I promise." Sarah took the leash from me and the bag from Soda.

I trudged up the stairs, Soda following. Soda stood by the door while I got dressed into sweats and a plain black shirt. I took the braids out of my hair, revealing my curly blonde strands. I opened the door and when Soda saw me he gave me a smile. "You're hair looks beautiful like that."

I looked down and blushed. "Thank you, Soda."

I laid down in my bed and put the cover over me. Soda went and sat beside me, taking a deep breath.

//

Soda

I STARED AT a lifeless Skylar and sighed while sitting on the edge of her bed. She's broken. I thought back to Mike and I's talk and smiled.

[OKAY THE VIDEO BELOW IS MIKE TALKING TO SODA]

[YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT OR YOU WON'T UNDERSTAND THE NEXT PART]

https://youtu.be/c9kvCcuHDtg

When I finished replaying what he said to me I looked at Skylar and grinned. I tucked a strand of her curly blonde hair behind her ear and opened my mouth to speak.

"I love you, Skylar Grace Winston."