The bracelet.

The end of first semester felt like a dream, I wasn't looking forward to go home but I can't stay behind either, the school was already empty 2 days after the exam, Zayden hovers around, his tears left unexplained, it's not like we talk much, I was packed and ready to go home, the thought of my results also worry me, first exam in college, I know I tried but as always I was distracted and don't remember what the questions where or how I answered, I let that occupy my way through half of the journey before plugging my earpiece in, no one to call or talk to.

The house was quiet, smells different than my dorm room, everything was as I left it, I didn't except anyone to be home and no one was, I dropped my backpack by the door and went to the kitchen, there I met Kairo's things on the counter, a frown crossed my face, I went to it and find pictures of the table, Kairo's pictures, I picked it up and stared at his face, he's so kind and it shows on his face, I opened the box and find the silver bracelet with Kairo's name written on it, I ran my thumb over it with a smile, he always had it on, even when he took his own life, I dropped it and then the front door opened, I walked out and met mom.

"Mom," I greeted.

"You came," she questioned, and I nodded.

"Where's dad?" I asked, and she ignored me walking towards the kitchen, I followed her, and she was moving Kairo's things in the trash.

"What are you doing?" I rushed to stop her, but she sent me an all too knowing glare.

"I don't see the need of keeping memories of him," she spat, and I swallowed the lump that was forming.

"He's your son," I said sadly.

"He doesn't know that, too cowardly to face his own crimes," she spat.

"Mom!" I sobbed. She ignored my cry and tossed everything in the trash.

"Kairo didn't start that fire," I cried desperately, but she walked past me, I quickly took the trash from her.

"Keep it out of my house" she snapped walking away, I took out his pictures and clicked the bracelet on my wrist, my vision blurry from tears as I desperately try to sort his things out of the trashcan, I broke down at the irony of it, he threw his life away and now Mom is throwing his memories away, I cried for what felt like forever with no-one here to understand me, making me think of Zayden, I wiped my tears and went out, I stuff his things in my backpack and left home, it was late, no buses heading to the school, so I wandered the street till I ended up at his gravestone, dead at night, cold but not scared, I sat there, empty and void of any emotions, the reality of how alone I was and how bad my life was hitting me so hard I began understanding Kairo, why he ended it all, resting and leaving me alone, the thoughts of following him crossed my mind but I shook my head, I am too cowardly to try that so I sat staring at his headstone in the dead of night, with no thought and no feeling.

I wandered into the school at noon the next day, the bracelet heavy on my wrist, mom's words echoing in my head, cowardly and crime, I know kairo is anything but those 2 words, I stood in front of the dorm and wondered if it was all worth it, if it all had meaning, if life had any good somewhere waiting for me, I dragged myself up to my room and slept off, deciding it's best I shut my eyes to silent the loud voice in my head, but it didn't, hours passed and I got out of the bed, I know my eyes are swollen and I don't care, hoodie up, earpiece plugged, I went walking around the campus, no destination just the need to silent my thought, I didn't walk far before Zayden stood in my way, for once his face wasn't blank, he was worried, it's written all over his face as he gave me a once over, his dressing told me he rushed out, shorts and shirt with flip flop.

"Aria?" He questioned, and I sniffed.

"Why are you here?" He asked, and I cried again.

"What happened?" He asked, and I wiped my tears aggressively.

"I was told you came back. What happened? Didn't you leave for home?" He asked, worried, and I kept aggressively wiping my tears. He walked up to me and pulled my hands away from my face. He leaned to my height.

"Talk to me," he whispered, and I looked him right in eyes.

"Is kairo a criminal? A coward for taking his life?" I asked sobbing, and he just pulled me into his chest, hugging me gently, and I cried some more into his chest, we stood like that for what felt like forever before I stopped.

" I am sorry," I whispered, trying to step back. He pulled me back into the hug.

"Did someone say that to you?" He questioned, and I nodded.

"He's not," he whispered, and I pulled away from him.

"Why will you say that?" I asked angrily.

"He killed your family, then committed suicide and....

"Kairo has no reason to kill my family." Zayden cut me off, and the desperation on his face was alarming.

"What are you saying?" I asked.

"Our family never knew each other, he have no reason to want to do that," he explained.

"Did you really believe that, or you're being logical because you don't have any memory of the fire?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"There is evidence. He had burned his hands and...

"What does your heart say?" He questioned, and my heart skipped a beat.

"What are you saying?" I asked, surprised.

"Your brother means so much to you. Don't doubt him because of something that happened years ago," he explained, and I stepped away from him.

"Aria," he called, but I walked away, and he knew something. It all just dawned on me. He knows exactly what happened, and he's lying somewhere.