Justin’s life is slowly getting on track. He’s as clean as a whistle and has a job. He no longer lives with his mother and vile step-dad, but instead finds home in the annex of the Jenson’s property with Clay. His grades…well, they’ve never been that great, but this time round he’s really trying.

Then there’s you. The one person who’s stuck by his side through everything. Even when he went off the rails, even when he was being stupid. You were always there to support him.

Until you began fading away. A light in the darkness that began flickering.

It was small things at first. Taking a few hours to respond to a message. Your beautiful smile not quite reaching your ears. Not showing up to Monet’s for that milkshake he always puts extra whipped cream on for you.

Worry infested in Justin’s gut like a virus, consuming him. It’s why he’s skipped school and gone to your home, climbing through your window like the numerous times he has before. You didn’t attend today, and the worst scenario invaded his mind.

“Hey— woah.” His nose wrinkles at the scent of alcohol. He glances down, noticing a bottle of vodka peeking out from under your bed, a lump forming in his throat.

His eyes meet your back, where you’re laying still. If you weren’t murmuring for him to go away, quiet and broken, he would’ve had to have checked your pulse.