Our Last Moments on Earth

December 31, 2019, 11:50 am

A man stared at the ceiling, watching the fan slowly spin in a circle. His eyes were heavy, but he felt restless. He turned to see a woman asleep next to him. He stared at her sleeping face as she was breathing very softly. He turned back to look at the ceiling. The man then sat up and ran his hands through his messy, long, brown hair. He threw the blanket off his legs and placed his feet on the cold hardwood floor. He stared blankly at the house shoes that said 'Papa Bear' on top. He stared at his feet as he tried to lift himself off the bed. He then heard a buzz coming from the nightstand next to him. He looked over to see a bright screen glowing as the dresser vibrated. The man reached over and grabbed his phone. The screen showed a picture of a red-headed woman holding a baby. She has floral tattoos on her hands, a spider neck tattoo, and freckles covering her face.

Ophelia is calling

The man answered the phone and placed the phone to his ear.

"Hello?" he whispered.

"Can't sleep either?" the woman said.

The man sat in silence.

"His anniversary is tomorrow..." she said.

"I know..."

Then, the room was silent.

"I don't want to be alone. Can I come over?"

"You're always welcome,"

The man then looked at the clock on his dresser.

12:00 am

"Happy New Year Fi."

"Happy New Year," she said softly.

The man then hung up the phone and walked over to his dresser. He opened the drawer and grabbed a shirt when he saw a picture of young him and another boy with a shaggy mullet. The young man had his arm around the other boy, and they were smiling. The man stared at the picture for a moment and shut the drawer. They then looked into the mirror on top of the dresser. He stared at his reflection for what it had seemed like an hour. He touched his long hair and felt his scruffy beard touch the back of his hand as he was putting his hand down. He put on his shirt, found a pair of pants on the floor, and started to put on his pants.

"Where are you going?" a soft voice said.

The man hesitated to answer and then turned to see the woman in a pink silk slip dress sitting up on the bed. Nolan then looked down at the ground as he zipped up his pants.

"I'll be back later," The man said as he grabbed the car keys from a bowl on his dresser.

"Nolan..." she said softly.

"I won't be long," he replied, putting on his coat.

"I can't do this," she snapped back.

"Do what?" he replied forcability.

She stood up from the bed and pointed at him. "This. The disappearing for days, not knowing when you'll be back. I'm tired, I haven't slept, I can't eat!" she shouted.

The room was silent.

"I'll be back," he replied.

"To go see her?" she said in a hateful tone.

"You know I don't like her that way..."

"Yeah, but you seem to be over there all the time. Even when Stephen is gone. You spend days with her. Are you raising her child?"

"Enough! I'm not having his conversation with you!" Nolan shouted.

"I'm your wife! You won't touch me or look at me! You weren't even there when your child was born!" she shouted back.

The man then felt his hands ball up into a fist, "You know damn well I didn't want this baby! This was you and my father's doing!" he shouted back. The man turned to look at the woman who had tears in her eyes. The man turned back and continued walking towards the door. Suddenly, a baby was crying over a monitor next to the woman.

"I'll be back,"

"Nolan!" she shouted.

He closed the bedroom door and walked to his car outside.

The man drove up to a big red brick house. He could hear fireworks being popped in the back. He walked up a long stone walkway to a white door. He knocked and stood in silence. He looked up at the starry Arizona sky. The door opened, and a man with dirty blonde hair opened it. He had a bushy brown beard, and his eyes were icy blue. The blonde man stared at the man.

"Hey, Nolan,"

The man gave him a weak smile.

"Hey, Stephen,"

He looked behind him and saw the red-headed woman standing behind the blonde man. She smiled at him softly, and he smiled back. Nolan then walked inside and saw another woman with pink and blue hair sitting on the couch.

"Nolan?" She said and stood up. She ran over to him and gave him a big hug. He hugged her back. She pulled back from the hug and placed her hands on his arms.

"I didn't think you'd be here," he said as he looked at her.

"Well, Fi asked me to be a part of a new fashion show for her new line. I said yes and took the next available flight. I just got here this morning,"

Nolan smirked. The girl with pink and blue hair smiled back and tilted her head. She placed her hand on his shoulder. "How are you? How is Juile?" the girl asked.

Nolan hesitated to answer. "How long are you going to be in Arizona?"

"Nolan..."

"Don't..." Nolan stopped his sentence as he realized everyone was standing around him in a circle. "Oh, I get it... you guys wanted me to come here for what? To talk? To tell me that I need help?"

"Nolan, we're worried about you," The red-haired girls said.

"Julie keeps calling me Nolan. She's worried about you,"

"This was a mistake. I'm just going to go," he said. He turned around and started walking towards the door. The blonde man stood in front of him.

"Where are you going to go? Back home? Back to Julie? To your son, who you haven't even held?" the pink-and-blue-haired girl said. Nolan turned around, pointing a finger at her. "Shut up, Ember! Why are you here? To start a fight with me? To shove your new perfect life without Dad in my face?" Nolan shouted.

"You had every right to leave! But you stayed! You married someone you didn't want! No one forced you to stay! You were 26 years old!"

"Shut up, Ember! You don't know what I had to do as the family heir! You wouldn't understand!"

Nolan stepped forward and tried to swing at Ember when the blonde boy lunged at Nolan, wrapped his arm around Nolan's stomach, and grabbed his wrist. Nolan tried to pull away, but the blonde boy picked up Nolan and slammed his body to the ground. Nolan then kicked the blonde boy in the left leg, and a loud cracking sound was made. The blonde boy then fell to the ground. Nolan stood up to go at Ember again. But before he could get close, the red-haired girl stood before Ember to protect her. Nolan stopped as he saw tears in her eyes.

"Stop..." she whispered.

Nolan felt his chest go heavy as he looked into her eyes.

"Mommy..." a little voice said.

Everyone turned around to look at the stairs. A little curly-headed girl stood with her blue blanket at the bottom of the stairs. The red-headed girl ran over to her and picked her up.

"Honey, you're supposed to be asleep,"

"Mommy... is Uncle Nolan okay?"

"Yes, sweetie... let's go back to sleep." The red-haired girl started walking up the stairs. She stopped and looked at Nolan. "We are just worried about you," she said as she continued to walk up the stairs with the little girl.

"Fi said you can stay here until you can in the guest bedroom," the blonde-haired boy said as Ember helped him. As he stood up, the leg that had been kicked fell off. Nolan watched it fall to the ground.

"I'm sorry, Steph... I'll buy you a new one."

"Don't worry about it. I have a spare in the bedroom..."

Nolan looked at him with concern. "I can't stay-"

"Yes, you can. I will have Ember stay with Julie to help her and the baby. You can use a spare bedroom until you get back on your feet." Stephen said.

Nolan turned to look at Ember. Stephen had one arm around Ember's neck, but she kept her eyes looking down at the floor.

Nolan shook his head. "I can't take that offer, Steph. Not after everything I've done to you and Fi. Not after what happened with Beaux..."

"Nolan, you haven't eaten in days. When was the last time you showered?"

The room fell quiet.

"There's no backing out, Nolan. Fi has her mind set on keeping you until you can move on,"

Ember helped Stephen up the stairs as Nolan followed. They stopped in front of a white door. Ember opened the door and walked to Stephen's bedroom. Nolan saw a full-sized bed in the left corner of the room. The walls were navy blue with pictures of 90s grunge band posters. A desk on the right side of the room had a lamp. There was also a giant bookshelf filled with comic and art history books.

Nolan looked around the room as he sat on the bed. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," he said.

The red-headed woman opens the door with clothes in her hand. "I have sleepwear for you," she said as she walked towards him.

"Thanks. Sorry about Nolan's leg. I'll get him a new one."

"I wouldn't stress over it. You know how many times Marley has broken his fake leg?" she chuckled, which made Nolan smile.

She placed the clothes on the desk. The room fell silent as she faced Nolan. "We all miss him, Nolan. You're not the only one hurting from this,"

"Mine is different hurt. There were still so many things I had to say to him. With everything that's happened since, I know he'd be disappointed in me,"

"I think he'd be more disappointed in the fact you started smoking cigarettes," the woman said. The red-headed woman sat beside Nolan and placed her hand on his. "You know what I think?"

Nolan looked at her. "What?"

"He'd want you to live life," she smiled at him. Nolan looked down at the ground. She then kissed him on the cheek and stood up.

"Goodnight Nolan. Food is in the cabinets, and the bathroom is next to this room. If you need anything, we are down the hall." She then shut the door.

Nolan threw himself back onto the bed. He stared at the ceiling and the faded stickers at the top. Nolan then pulled out a cigarette. When he pulled out the cigarette, a bag of pills fell out. Nolan sat up and looked at the bag. He could feel his heart racing as he reached for the bag. The redhead's voice rang in his head as he thought of Beaux. Nolan then grabbed the bag and threw it into the trash.

Nolan changed his clothes into sleepwear. He lay down in bed and stared at the ceiling. Nolan could feel his eyes getting heavy.

Friday, May 30th, 2017

It was a hot, sunny day with no clouds in sight and a dry Arizona breeze blowing. Parents were sitting on the hot metal bleachers, fanning their faces with the graduation programs.

A man walks up to the podium in a blue suit. "Alright, everyone, settle down. Settle down," he said in a microphone. A football field of high school students in caps and gowns sat on cheap plastic lawn chairs. The students stopped talking and looked at the man standing at the podium. "Congratulations, students. You have reached the final stage of your teenage years. Now, you blossom into amazing young adults, and I know you are." the man's voice echoed throughout the field. The students began to murmur throughout the field. "Well, students, it is with a heavy heart that I see you guys go, but remember to live your life and change the world." The students then stood up with their diplomas in hand. "Congratulations, the class of 2017! You are now graduates!" the man said as the students cheered and threw their caps up. The crowds cheered and shouted for the graduating students.

A young man was looking at his graduation cap and smiled. He threw it up and turned to his chair to grab his diploma. He began to push past students who were hugging each other. He suddenly felt an arm wrapped around his neck. The young man turned to see a blonde boy with apple-green eyes smiling from ear to ear, holding his cap.

"We did it, Beaux! We are free!" the blonde boy shouted.

Beaux chuckled, "For now, but don't you start college when the new semester starts?"

"Yeah, like in August. For now, we enjoy our last summer together!"

"Beaux! Steph!" a young girl said.

The boys then turned around to see a girl in a blue graduation gown with a giant red bun on top of her head running up to them. She jumped towards them as the boys caught her. The boys then swung the young girl around.

"We did it, Fi!" the blonde boy said. The young boys put the girl down.

"Some of us are more excited than others," the blonde boy said as he tapped Beaux on his shoulder.

"Come on, Beaux! We're done with high school, and we're going to live our adult lives!" the girl said as she shook Beaux. Her two red curls on her face swung side to side.

"Yeah, maybe for you guys. My mom is still on the fence about me leaving for college." Beaux said.

"Did you submit your application for the Academy? She can't say no if you have been accepted." the blonde boy said.

"I did, but I don't think I'll get in," Beaux said softly.

"With your grades, of course, you did. They're probably slow at delivering your acceptance letter,"

"Yeah! They call it snail mail for a reason," the young girl said, wrapping her arms around the boys' necks. Beaux smiled. "Thanks, Steph. Thanks, Fi." The teenagers then walked away from the crowd of students.

"Ophelia! Over here!" a woman shouted. The girl looked up and saw an older woman waving her arm. The teenagers walked over to her as Ophelia jumped into the older woman's arms. The older woman hugged her.

"I'm so proud of you! My little girl is grown!" the older woman said.

"Oh, come on, Mom. We knew this day was coming."

"I know! I know! But it seems like yesterday you three kids were climbing up my apple tree or peeing in my pool!"

Steph then wrapped Beaux's head into a headlock, "You mean Beaux peeing in the pool!"

Beaux's face turned red, "Dude, I was like three!" Beaux pushed Stephen's arm off of his head, bumping into someone. Beaux turned around and saw a tall, brown-haired boy with deep blue eyes. "Sorry about that, man," Beaux said, extending his fist for a bump. The other man examined Beaux's baggy clothes under his blue gown. He stared at Beaux's patchy skin of vitiligo. He also noticed this shaggy mullet and piercings on the face. The man scoffed at Beaux, "Freak," and walked away.

"Says the one wearing a sweater vest in summer!" the red-headed girl shouted. The man turned around to see the red-headed girl and blonde boy standing on each side of Beaux and flipped him off. The man rolled his eyes and continued walking. Beaux looked at his hand, which had white and brown skin. Ophelia grabbed Beaux's hand. "Don't listen to him," she whispered. Beaux looked at Ophelia's mixed-matched blue and green eyes and smiled at her.

"Come on, kids, let me take a photo!" the older woman said.

The three teenagers wrapped their arms around each other and pulled each other close. "Big smiles!" she said, and the flash from her camera went off.

Later that evening, the three teens were sitting around the pool. Stephen was sitting in the pool on a donut float. Beaux and Ophelia were sitting on the pool steps, eating a hotdog.

"What if you move in with us and work near the campus?" Ophelia said.

"You know it's not about the schooling or housing. Mom is afraid that my illness is going to come back, and I'm not home for proper treatment." Beaux said, taking a bite out of the hotdog.

"But haven't you been symptom-free since you were 15?" Stephen said.

"Yeah, but you know my mom."

"Speaking of, have you heard anything from, you know, her?"

Beaux looked up at the sky, which had one cloud floating. "No. And if I have, I know my mom has thrown away any letters or cut off any contact with her."

Ophelia then placed her head on Beaux's shoulder. An awkward silence then fell over them.

"Hey, kids!" a woman said.

The teenagers then turned their heads as they saw Ophelia's mom waving for them to come inside. "We are going to do cake!"

Stephen then flipped the donut floaty over and swam to the edge. Beaux and Ophelia laughed as they stood up from the steps. They then grabbed towels and dried off as they walked inside. All the parents were sitting around a large circular table. There were three empty chairs at the head of the table for the kids to sit at. The kids walked over to the head of the table, and Ophelia's mom placed a cake in front of them. It was a white rectangle cake with a blue border. It said congratulations on graduating. Ophelia's mom then placed three big candles in a row for each to blow out. "Mom, it's not a birthday,"

"I know, but I wanted you guys to make a wish for the college adventures!"

Beaux looked at Ophelia's mom and then at his mom, who stood at the table's end. She looked down at the ground to avoid the eye contact.

"I'll make my wish for Ophelia and Stephen's adventures," Beaux said as he looked at his friends sitting beside him.

Ophelia's mom smiled at Beaux and looked at his mom. Beaux then looked at his mom, who gave him a small smile. She started to walk forward with Beaux and handed him a letter. Beaux's heart raced with excitement. Beaux reached for the letter, and his mom pulled back.

"If you promise to call me daily, let me know as soon as something happens or notice any symptoms. You call me and come straight home."

Beaux smiled from ear to ear and grabbed the letter from his mom's hand. Beaux opened the letter and saw it was an acceptance letter to The Academy. Beaux jumped up from his seat and hugged his mom. Everyone cheered as his friends ran to Beaux and his mom, and they hugged each other very tightly.

"This is it, guys! We are going to college!" Stephen said as he shook everyone. Beaux looked at Ophelia, who was smiling softly at him.

Back at Beaux's house, Beaux was packing his room. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Beaux said as he stuffed a duffle bag with clothes. His mom opened the door. "Packing already?"

"I'm just so excited. I get to go to one of the top Art schools in California and do it with my best friends."

"Yes, but I want you to remember. You are going to school for your passion, not to fool around and party it up with your friends," his mom said as she sat on his bed. Beaux smiled and rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Mom, me? Party? I was too busy in and out of hospitals for me to be a partying mom," Beaux then sat next to his mom on the bed.

"I know, but sometimes, when kids go off to college, all they want to do is party because there is no adult supervision," Beaux's mom said, wrapping her arm around Beaux and squeezing him tightly.

"I promise, Mom, I'll keep you updated on everything I do,"

"Even potential boyfriends?" His mom said as she nudged his shoulder. Beaux felt his face turn red. "Oh, come on, Mom. You know I don't do relationships." Beaux then got quiet as she twiddled his thumbs in a circle. His mom noticed and placed her hand on top of his.

"Well, since you have sworn off dating forever, how about you promise me you will go on one date at least? And it has to be a date that isn't with Ophelia or Stephen."

Beaux laughed, "Okay, I'll go on one date," as Beaux held up his index finger to his mom.

"Who knows, he might be the one if it goes well,"

Beaux smiled and pushed his mom with his shoulders. "Okay, Mom, I haven't even started college yet. Let me start classes at least, and then we can talk about this existing date."

They both laughed as Beaux placed his head on his mom's shoulder, "Have you heard from her?" his mom asked.

Beaux lifted his head, "No. I gave up on her remembering things,"

His mom gave a soft smile. "Well, I'll let you finish packing. I have a surprise for you tomorrow."

"Surprise? Better than an acceptance letter?"

His mom smiled at him and kissed his forehead. "Goodnight." His mom then stood up from the bed and left the room. Beaux then grabbed his duffle bag and placed it in the corner of the bed. His phone then rang.

Ophelia is calling...

Beaux answered the phone. "Hello?"

"We Are Going To College!" she shouted.

Beaux laughed, "I know. I still can't believe it myself. I still need to look into apartments before we leave."

"We already got that covered," Stephen said in the back.

"Stephen? When did you get on the call?"

"Look outside,"

Beaux stood up from his bed and looked out the window to see Ophelia and Stephen standing outside. Beaux smiled and opened the window.

"What are you guys doing?" he asked.

Stephen then held up a case of beers. Beaux smiled and gestured for them to go to the roof.

Ophelia then climbed up the ladder on the house's side. Stephen followed as Beaux climbed out his window and reached for the latter.

Beaux reached the top of the roof and between Ophelia and Stephen.

"I still can't believe we are all going to college together," Ophelia said as she drank a beer.

"I know I still can't believe that my mom was okay with letting me go," Beaux said, taking a bottle and passing the case to Stephen.

"Well, let's say little Miss Red-head had something to do with it,"

Beaux turned his head and looked at Ophelia, who was drinking her beer.

"Oh really?" Beaux then wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her in, and squeezed her tightly. Ophelia then started laughing as half of her beer spilled from the bottle.

"I just wanted you to enjoy life like you always wanted! Your mom understood that it's essential that you come with us. Plus, we told her that we would keep an eye on you,"

"Well, let's cheers to adulthood and to starting life!" Beaux lifted his beer and knocked it together with Stephen and Ophelia. They all took a drink. Ophelia then stood up and placed the bottle on the roof.

"Well, boys, I'm turning in. We have a big day tomorrow," she said as she walked to the edge of the roof to the ladder.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Stephen asked as he placed his bottle down.

"No, I'm just the next street over. I'll be okay," she said as she climbed the stairs. Stephen let out a light sigh.

"So are you going to tell her eventually or just wait until some guy who is ten times better looking comes and takes her away?"

Stephen's face then turned bright red. "I-I just haven't found the right moment,"

"Oh, come on, dude! You've been saying that since we were in junior high!"

"Well, I want it to be special!"

"Dude, you'll be stuck in the friend zone until death!"

"I just want her to know that she is special."

"She will."

Stephen took another drink from the beer. "What about you? Are you hoping to find any young muscular men?"

Beaux laughed, "Yeah, no. I'm not looking to get into any relationship. It's just better if I stay to myself."

"You don't even want to try?"

Beaux smirked, "No... but I did promise my mom at least one date. But I want it to be meaningless. No strings attached kind of date,"

Stephen stood up, "Well, the day you go on your date, I will ask Fi out."

Stephen then walked to the ladder by the roof.

"You're just saying that because you know I won't go on the date."

"Then do you want to make a bet?" Stephen said as he extended his hand. Beaux smiled and walked over to Stephen.

"Bet then." Beaux shook his hand.

Stephen then climbed down the ladder, and Beaux followed. Beaux then climbed back into this window. Stephen waved at Beaux and continued walking. Beaux took off his shirt and kicked off his platform shoes. He laid down in bed and grabbed his phone from his dresser.

New Message

Beaux clicked on the notification.

Gravedigger_23

Hey, how'd graduation go?

Beaux smiled.

Crowcatcher999

He lives!

Gravedigger_23

I've been super busy today with classes about to start. I'm really sorry I didn't make it to your graduation.

Crowcatcher999

It's not biggie. I'm sure we will bump into each other when I start college.

Gravedigger_23

You're mom said yes?!

Beaux laughed.

Crowcatcher999

Yea. Surprisingly, she showed me the acceptance letter, and now I get to go.

Gravedigger_23

Well, I can't meet you :)

Beaux smiled.

Crowcatcher999

Well, I do have to head to bed. Txt me tmrrw?

Gravedigger_23

Will do. Goodnight <3

Beaux's eyes widen. 'A heart? That's the first one he's ever sent. It looks like we are upgrading...'

Crowcatcher999

Night <3

Beaux put his phone down and turned off his light. He was looking at the Glow-in-the-dark stars on his ceiling, and his eyes slowly began to close his eyes.