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Teardrop In The Fire	By : MysticNight Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Incubus Views: 3776 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the members of Incubus. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 21
- 22
- 23
**

Brandon entered his house the same way he exited. Everything was done in the same manner, but reversed.

He marched through door, slamming the keys on the table he intially grabbed them from, and jogged back up the stairs.

“Back so soon,” Mike asked.

“I’m ready.” He stated, grabbing and zipping the last bag.

“So am I.”

Through his frustration, Brandon paused unable to make any sense of Mike’s affirmation.

“I’m coming with you. You didn’t think I would actually let you go by yourself, did you?”

“Yes,” he shrugged indifferently at the question. “Mike, I can handle this on my own.”

“I'm not questioning whether you can handle it or not, but my mom is. She pretty much threw my suitcase back out the door, telling me not to come home until after the funeral.”

Brandon didn’t know whether to thank him or to care less.

“I’m just kidding man, She didn’t completely throw my bags out, but she did encourage the idea of me going with you, which I personally don't think is that bad of an idea.”

“I don’t know what to say.” he impassively raked a hand threw his hair.

“Then don’t say anything. Just grab your things, and I’ll call a cab and before you know it, we’ll be out of here.

“Fine.” he finally settled.

**

Chris walked into his house, after catching up with a few friends he hadn’t seen since before the tour.

He was in a fairly decent mood, until he closed the door behind himself.

Claire looked up from the magazine she was not reading, and his heart sank.

Her eyes were dark, her skin dull, and nose red from crying.

Although he knew they were in an argument, Chris felt compelled to find out what had gotten her so upset; whether it was him, or someone else, and what he could do to make things better.

She had never been much of a crier, especially since the first time she initially became friends with his friends, realizing it was socially unacceptable to shed tears if you were to be accepted as 'one of the guys'.

That alone was one of the main reasons he felt awful at seeing her this way; she had always been such a content person, and even if she was not, claire would do her best in not letting others perceive her as weak, until now where she ultimately could not do it anymore.

Before the whole fiasco with Marissa, he had not seen her cry uncaringly for years, and now here she sat... a mere shell of who she had once been.

“Where’s mom and dad?”

“Out.” She told him, flipping through the pages incessantly.

Chris nodded, and then proceeded to walk away slowly in attempt to hold up his end of the argument.

He sighed, realizing he was not going anywhere.

Claire would always know that Chris had a weak spot for her, and that it would never change regardless of the circumstance.

“What happened?” he turned, leaning against the wall.

She stopped skimming, and looked up at him. She shook her head with tears brimming her eyes.

He had figured out by her expression alone, that it had nothing to do with him; or at least he wasn’t the central source.

“Brandon?”

She didn’t answer, but the quick wrinkling between her eye-brows at hearing his name, did all the answering for her.

“I thought you two were fine?”

She shook her head, burying her face into her sleeves.

“C...” Chris walked over, taking her hands from her face and lightly pulling her to stand from the couch.

“I was just scared,” She said quickly latching onto him, crying into his neck. Her warm tears grew cold against his skin, while she shuddered as she tried to stop but failed. “I fucked up so bad, Chris.”

“It’s okay.” He didn’t know whether her statement was pertaining to Brandon or her possible pregnancy. “We’ll fix whatever it is that’s wrong.”

“Not this time”

“Never say never,”

“…I didn’t” Claire took the sleeve of his shirt, wiping her eyes.

When she managed to calmed down, she explained everything to him.

*

“She says these things,”

Brandon made a dissapointed face as he pressed a few buttons on the arm pannel of his seat.

They had boarded the plane over a half an hour ago, and were presently in mid-flight.

“Go on.” Mike insisted.

“She knows how I’ll react yet, she’ll do it anyway. It's almost as though she wants to push me as far as I can go, to see if I’ll be anything like him.”

“By him I take it we’re referring to the other Mike.”

Brandon’s silence verified the answer,

“I want to assure her, but there’s this part of me that just wants to leave her alone. For her to even think I could be anything like him, or even bring up the subject of me leaving if she’s pregnant...it fucking baffles me.”

“You and cupcake are both my friends, and I hope I can safely assume that I know you both fairly well. So believe me when I say, I have come to the conclusion that... the both of you are fucked up.”

Brandon stared at him momentarily, before pretending to ignore his comment.

“Honestly though, Brandon you cant think like that right now--with the circumstances and all. Also, I’ve noticed lately how intense you get when it comes to anything about Mike, what’s up with that?”

Just then, it hit Brandon that he had not told Mike what Claire swore him to secrecy about.

Making good on his promise, but feeling guilt-ridden for holding out, Brandon ran a hand over his face lethargically before telling Mike

“He’s fucking scum. Trust me when I tell you that, and the sooner Claire cuts off all ties with him, the better off she will ever be.”

“And this isn’t coming from the Brandon that wants Claire to hurry up and be all his already?”

“It’s more than that, but I cant get into it right now.”

“I see.” Mike didn't persist any further, although he did not need Brandon's confirmation to figure out something was up. Moving on, he proposed the idea “Maybe you need to convince her some more.”

“I’m tired of putting myself out there. We've known each other long enough for her not to have to worry, for her to know who I am as a person. I’d expect this shit from a woman I were just dating- where getting to know one another would be a process, but not from Claire, not now. I shouldn't have to try and convince her that I would never hurt her, or more importantly the future of any child we may or may not be expecting. It’s fucking ludicrous.”

“Well then, I guess this trip may just turn out to be a good thing. It might give you two the space you need.”

“Sardonically enough, that’s the smartest thing you’ve said all evening.”

“I have my moments. Now what do you plan on saying tomorrow? I'm sure some sort of speech will be expected of you."

“...I’ve been writing here and there,” He pulled out a notebook.

“Let me see.” Mike took it. He flipped to the last page with writing on it and skimmed through before reading.

"The reaction to death is sometimes as violent as death itself. Shock throws a cautious coolness over the senses, but your stomach still knots, your skin still stings as if the reaper is glaring at you. For a second you live that death, and then shame reviles the room when you realize it’s someone else… Brandon, somehow I don’t think this is going to go over well with her folks.”

Reaching over, Brandon flipped a few pages back guiding Mike to the correct passage.

“Oh.” He read again, then nodded “Better.”

After a while of coming up with their own dialogue for the movie provided ahead-without headphones, Mike commented “You know what I just noticed,”

“What?”

“The press was kind of giving you a break after the altercation you had with that photo-hog. And now, after the funeral they’ll be back at hounding you. It’s like a vicious cycle.”

“Want to know what I’ve noticed? Nobody is news forever. Even to the ones they love. Stories die down, a newer tragedy or celebrity gossip takes first place begging for more attention. It has something to do with time and how it heals and destroys simultaneously. And perhaps, luck.”

“...Dude, that was deep.”

Brandon chuckled lightly “All I’m saying is, I’m not worrying to much over what they have to say. They’ll think what they want to regardless, so it doesn’t really matter as long as those important to me are okay and know the truth.”

“Well said.”

*
Next Morning
*

“Why the hell are you always in my face when I wake up?” Brandon tiredly asked, rubbing his eyes.

“I can’t help what you dream about man, now get up.” It was early in the AM, and Brandon had a lot of prepping to do.

“Fuck, It’s morning.” He squinted through one eye.

“Good observation, now come on. Get up.”

Brandon laid there a moment or two longer, secretly pondering what was in store for him in the next few hours.

Not too long afterward, the sound of his feet against the hard wood floors, established he had listened to Mike.

Brandon took a seat at the table in front of the cup of coffee that was already poured and waiting for him.

“Thanks.” He was appreciative.

“No problem.”

After a few sips, and Brandon seemingly becoming more awake, Mike pointed out

“We have to do a run through.”

“A run through on what?”

“On what you’re going to say when you get up on that podium. Grab the notebook you showed me on the plane, let‘s practise”

“Mike,”

“Brandon I know how you get; and we can sit here all day and debate about it, or we can get this over with, meaning the sooner we get to go home.”

Brandon gave him a once over, and reluctantly stood up walking back down the hallway for the notebook.

*

“Are you ready?” Chris popped his head through Claire’s door.

“Give me a minute,” she was clearly still fatigued as she shimmied into a pair of jeans and tossed her hair into a high pony tail.

Today they would receive the answer to the question that had been plaguing her and Brandon for not even a full 48 hours.

Jogging down the steps, their mother stopped her.

“Where are you off to so early?”

“-Me and Chris are going to meet up with a few friends for coffee.”

By this time, Chris was on his way down the stairs as well.

“It’s so nice to see you two being so loving toward one another,”

They both groaned in annoyance.
“Mom stop,” Claire pleaded, truly despising the ‘I’m so proud of you two’ pep talks.

“Hurry up,” Chris punched her shoulder, then kissed his mother on the cheek “I’ll be back soon,”

“Drive safe you two, and be back for brunch.”

“Yeah, sure. Tell daddy I said I‘ll see him in a bit.” Claire walked out after Chris, now hearing him start the car.

When Claire fastened her seatbelt and they were down their block, Chris mentioned casually
“You know, today’s the funeral.”

“Really? I knew Brandon left last night for some reason, but I couldn’t put my finger on why”

“Will there ever be one time in my life where you don’t have anything to say?”

“When that time arrives, I’ll be sure to let you know.” she smiled.

Before she knew it, Chris pulled into the parking lot of a nearby drug store.

Immediately, panic began to set in.

“Why did we have to come to this one? What if one of the neighbours are there? Oh my gosh, Chris! Mr. Mosley’s the clerk…Mom carpools him to church!”

“Calm down, we have to do this one way or another.”

“Chris, I guarantee you that by the time I go in there and buy that test, our city counsel will know.”

He looked at her for a moment, and watched her purposely pout while in distress.

“Fine,” he gave in. “I’ll go get it.”

“You will?” she beamed.

“Don’t make me change my mind,” He unbuckled his seatbelt, “What’s the name of it?”

After she told him, Claire handed him a 20 from her pocket and watched him get out of the car.

Over half an hour later and growing restless, Claire slid both her feet that were propped up onto the dash board, into her flip flops ready to venture inside the drug store for her brother.

Just as she opened the door, she noticed Chris walking quickly over to the car with a plastic bag in his hand.

The first thing he said upon entering was

“No more pregnancy scares, okay?”

“Done and Done. Now what took you so long?”

“You never told me there were so many. And we should probably expect mom to reprimand me about the girlfriend I got knocked up, later this evening.”

“What?”

“I had to cover for you. Mosley thinks I’m the expectant father.”

“Aw Chrissie…”

“Don't you 'Aww Chrissie' me," he mimicked "Let’s just get this thing done with already.”

*

“...Maybe I shouldn’t go. This should be a private thing for her family, and i'm almost certain paparazzi will be there."

“You can’t back out now, and I know you could give a shit less about them, you’re just nervous.”

“No I’m not,”

“Yes you are. Brandon, you are what I like to call a: Self-sabitor. And that is one of the main reasons I came with you, because everyone knows if you were left here to do this by yourself, you would self-destruct.”

“So what your saying is, everyone thinks I’m crazy.”

“Not crazy, just 'unhinged'. On a real note though, just go in do what you have to do and we’ll leave when you’re ready.”

“Thanks,”

Glancing at his watch, Mike let the silence hang in the air momentarily before telling him “We’ve got to get going.”

After reflecting on Mike‘s statement, Brandon finally nodded
“Okay, let’s go.”

*

During the ride to the funeral chapel, Brandon remained engulfed in his thoughts.

It was when Mike tapped him on the shoulder, he blinked for what seemed to be the first time, realizing they were 'suddenly' there.

A fair amount of people were standing outside with their umbrellas, as it was now drizzling rain; and ofcourse, all naturally dressed in black.

There were even a few designers and models he recognized from previous runway shows, stepping out of their limos while on their blackberry’s.

Tipping the cab driver, Mike stepped out first waiting for Brandon.

Taking a breath, Brandon got out as well, immediately being approached by a man and his camera.

“Brandon, how are you holding up today?”

If he didn’t know better, he could have actually thought this person was truly concerned.

“Can I take a picture?”

“You’re going to take it anyway…” he mumbled, walking up the stairs.

“Lay off” Mike warned, noticing a few more gathering around with their cameras.

Finally in the church, Brandon felt his phone buzzing inside his pocket.

“Shit, I better turn this off.”

On the display, presented itself to be his mother . “Hey mom,”

“Hi baby. How are you?”

“I’m fine. But what did we agree on?” he calmly asked, in reference to his promise the night before.

“I know, but I do worry about you Brandon. You’re such an intricate soul, and sometimes I feel as though that will be your downfall if you don’t stop and take a few minutes for yourself, here and there. ”

“I do and I will, mom.”

Whatever sense that made, Brandon pushed it aside noticing people taking their seats throughout the aisles. “Mom, I’ve got to go. It’s starting,”

“Okay, I love you honey. Remember that.”

“I know, love you too, bye.”

He reluctantly ended the call, feeling somewhat at ease after hearing an encouraging voice.

All eyes were on Mike and Brandon as they walked in, side by side.

Brandon felt like a slab of meat as what seemed like the entire congregation, paused in whatever actions they had been carrying out and stared at him quizzically.

He should have been used to all of the attention, but being in a situation like this made him forget that he was always supposed to be on.

His eyes immediately fell upon the poster-sized picture of Marissa resting on metal stand; her casket placed in front.

The photograph reminding him of the Marissa he was initially attracted to. Eyes so wide and full of promise and charisma. Her smile so bright and hypnotic it rubbed off on anyone she came in contact with, forcing them to smile even if they initially did not want to.

It almost made Brandon think, where did things go wrong for her? But of course he knew the answer. It was when he gave her false hope that there would be some sort of future for the two of them after feeling helpless to the fact that Claire was with another man.

It was his fault she became this.

Mike entered the second aisle, taking a seat and as Brandon opted to do the same from the corner of his eye, he noticed someone.

Her father.

He was now standing glaring menacingly at Brandon from the first aisle where most of her relatives sat weeping.

Feeling it was the respectful thing to do, Brandon overlooked the stare-down he was presently receiving and sincerely told him “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”

“You’re sorry?” the 60-something year old almost laughed at him. “You are the reason my baby girl is laying there. You did this to her.” He bitterly told him “Do you know that they had to put half her head together, like they were pieces to a puzzle?”

An instant whimper of anguish was heard from her mother, sitting next to the vacant seat her father momentarily stood from.

Brandon was stunned into silence.

“She loved you,” the greying blonde cried, standing up as well ‘Mommy, I love him.' I’ve never met anyone that makes me feel the way he does. He is so loving, so sincere, he would never hurt me! All those things she felt for you. She believed in you, and so did we!“ The woman was completely devastated, “She called me asking what she should do about you acting so distant when your friend came to visit. I told her...I can’t believe I told her to just stick it out, that if you were the way she described you to be, you wouldn’t hurt her. And my god, you shattered her soul. You cheated on her while you two were in the same hotel, you bastard!”

By now, another female took hold of her, her allowing her to sob on her shoulder grief stricken.

“I-I’m sorry” Brandon said so softly it sounded as though he were whispering, when in reality it was due to the fact that he could not find his voice after being so shaken up.

“You’re sorry?! Why don’t you tell her that!”

“Okay, please” Mike stood, “Brandon only wanted the best for Marissa.”

The low chattering could clearly be heard around them.

“The best? You used her.” he turned his focus away from Mike’s words and back to Brandon. “As far as I see it. You killed her.”

Time seemed to stop as the words left his mouth.

Looking up at Brandon, Mike saw what may have been the most heartbreaking mix of emotions on the mans face.

No words had ever impacted Brandon, the way Marissa’s father’s own just had.

They cut into him like razorblades.

It all must have transpired in an instant, but Mike felt as though he was watching the whole thing in slow motion.

Marissa’s father’s large hands had locked around Brandon’s neck and had pinned him over the aisle bench.

“Stop it!” Reality struck that this was actually happening, and Mike raged at the elderly man who must have outweighed him by over 200 lbs.

Other’s gathered around, prying the man’s hands away from Brandon’s throat.

Finally, they got him off leaving Brandon gasping for his breath.

“Listen man, I understand you are hurt and distressed over losing your daughter. And I cant even begin to imagine what you're going through, but I do know that this man" he pointed to Brandon "is feeling just as heart wrenched as you are, and you and your wife are really FUCKED UP for placing the blame on only him. Not only is it unfair, but it‘s fucking pathetic.”

Mike’s lungs burned with fury as his legs carried him down the stretch of the aisle leading Brandon behind him.

As they made it out of the church, Mike recognized “I said 'fuck' in a church. If I didn’t think I was going to hell before, I know now, that I definitely am. Maybe I should go to the synagogue and seek forgiveness for all my sins. Or not...” he smirked, hoping to get a reaction from Brandon, but instead he received none.

The only thing Brandon was conscious of was the pain he was feeling and the internal need to make it go away.

*

“Are you doing it?” Chris asked from outside the door.

“No” she timidly answered back.

“What? Why not?” Chris asked growing impatient, it had been over 10 minutes.

“Because…” her voice was still soft and timid “I cant pee when I’m nervous, it ruins my concentration.”

“I never knew it took 'concentration' for someone to piss on a stick. Claire just go already, I’m losing my mind out here”

"Get away from the door…I cant do it with you standing there.”

Exhaling deeply for the both of them to hear, he accommodated her with a “Fine,” and did as she requested.

Not long afterward, the flush of the toilette signified she had finally finished what she set out to do.

“Finally,” Chris walked back to the door, almost more nervous than his sister at the outcome.

She opened the door, holding the test.

“So? What does it say??”

“Nothing yet, I have to wait 10 minutes..”

He threw his hands in the air at the extra obstacle standing in their way.

“I know,” Claire sighed, placing it behind the Kleenex box in the bathroom; that way if anyone were to walk in within those ten minutes, the first thing they would see, would not be her pregnancy test.

“Well, since we have a few minutes I was thinking maybe we could talk.”

“Oh boy” she sighed “What did I do this time”

“Come on.”

Claire followed behind him, entering his room.

She immediately laid diagonally in the center of his bed, and he walked over to the window observing neighbours mowing their lawn, or taking their dog for a walk.

“You know I’m always going to be completely honest with you, even if it sometimes hurts you, because I only want the best for you and I...you know,”

“…You love me?”

“Yeah, that. So anyway,”

She laughed lightly, waiting for him to come out with whatever he had to say.

“I was thinking about what you told me you said to Brandon when you two were arguing last night.”

“Okay…”

“What I want to ask you is,” Chris turned around, sitting on the edge of his bed. “How do you think he’s dealing with all of this?”

“What do you mean?” Claire was unsure.

“I know he hasn’t really talked much on the situation; but I was thinking that he must be as torn up-if not more than you.”

Claire stared at him, letting his words sink n.

“I know you’ve been deeply affected by what she did to herself, but Brandon actually dated her. He was with her a lot more than you were, and what I’m getting at is, Although you’re still reeling from all this, I think you might want to talk to Brandon about it and consider his feelings so that maybe you two can heal through this together.”

After a moment of silence Claire looked up to the ceiling, a method of trying to keep her tears at bay, and finally said “I am such a bitch.”

“Your not. Stuff like this happens to the best of us. You were just caught up with everything going on and you simply forgot.”

“But I shouldn’t have. I’ve been so selfish,” Her actions seeped through her saddening her more “It’s all been about me. Me, me, me! I completely reemed him out on how I couldn’t sleep at night...but can you imagine him? He use to sleep right next to her. My god,” she said in realization “I didn’t even call him today. I was still so resentful to the fact that he was going there, after what she did and how much she hated me. I didn’t give him a vote of confidence or anything of that matter. “

A few tears slid down her cheeks at how much he must have been hurting this entire time.

Thumbing them away, Chris told her “At least you know what to do, now. It’s never too late when it comes to you two.”

“I hope.”

“Well, I know. Now please get up and go check that stick thing.”

“Oh yeah,” she sat up, running a hand over her face before thanking him.

When they stepped into the bathroom, Claire gave him a look before reaching over for it.

“It’s fine, whatever the outcome we’ll get through it.” Chris told her, but secretly he was saying it because he needed to hear it as well.

He watched her look at the mechanism, and then finally she stood there letting things sink it.

“It’s okay,” he sighed giving her a hug after believing the results showed she was in fact pregnant.

“You’re right,” she said into his shoulder “Because I’m not pregnant!”

“What?” he pulled back,

“It came up negative,” she held the stick out for him to see, but he wouldn’t have understood it if he tried anyway, so instead he shouted “Yes!” pulling her close and ruffling her hair.

“Chris, Chris! My hair! You’re gonna get it tangled!” she whined while laughing.

Their mother appeared at the doorway that moment, asking

“What’s going on with you two?” she stared at them bizarrely.

“Nothing,” Claire answered first, shoving the test into her back pocket.

**

They were now back in the hotel, and Mike noticed Brandon’s reaction had made a transition from agony, to confusion and then to, nothing.

He had gone into his bedroom after stepping through the front door, and now returned dressed in more comfortable attire; his jeans, and a plain white t-shirt.

Walking into the kitchen where Mike was standing, Brandon opened the fridge pulling out a can of bear.

He tried to open the can, but his fingers jittered too much to slip under the ring-pull.

He became frustrated, then angry and eventually in his temper threw the can to the floor.

It hit the ground and one edge split, sending a yellowish spray across the marbled kitchen floor.

‘Hey, dude it’s okay.’ Mike put his hand on his shoulder and removed it, before Brandon could shrug him away.

He opened the fridge once more and grabbed another can, carefully this time, and poured into a tall glass.

Brandon stared into the creamy depths as bubbles passed up and down, ignoring Mike‘s presence. It took a couple of minutes for the drink to settle and in that time he had recalled Marissa’s face.

At his first sip, a tear replenished the glass.

He considered smoking as well, but had promised Claire that he would never light up another joint and somehow he still felt bound to his words.

Mike’s phone then began to ring, and although he jumped at the sound, Brandon remained unfazed.

“Hello?” he answered. “Hey…Yeah, sure.”

He handed the phone to Brandon, who gave him a somewhat suspicious glance in return.

“Claire” He lipped quietly, and Brandon brought the receiver to his ear.

He stood there breathing into the mouthpiece, not knowing what to say and she did the same. It was almost as if she had lost her tongue at knowing he was now on the line; and as for Brandon? He did not want to go through the same altercation he endured with her hours before he left, at least not now.

They were like two duelling lovers who had lost the words to fight, but were unwilling to relinquish the argument.

Shaking his head regretfully, Brandon snapped the phone shut handing it back to Mike.

Mike raised his eyebrows faintly following Brandon’s actions.

Without an explanation, he gulped down the remainder of his beverage and headed back for more.

*

An hour or so passed, and the rain had let up. Mike was changed into his regular clohes after a quick shower, and checking their flight tickets back home which was confirmed for the next day.

He walked back into the kitchen to see Brandon seated around the table with both hands holding his head.

Claire had always told him that if he did that, it would hold in the good thoughts and let the bad ones seep through his fingers, and sometimes it worked.

He was the center of everything.

Mike couldn’t see his friend’s eyes as Brandon’s dark brown hair fell over them, but he appeared to be in a sort of dislocated stupor.

“Brandon?” Mike asked, to get his attention.

“Yes?” Brandon responded, unmoving.

“Do you need me to do anything? Get anything for you? Call your mom perhaps?”

Brandon swallowed at the question, answering with a simple “No, I’m good.”

“Okay” Mike seemingly obliged and left the room going straight into his own.

He took his phone off the night stand, acquiring a very proverbial number from the ‘recent calls’ menu, with pressing the call button.

“Mike?” Claire answered after the first ring.

“Hey,”

“Hi…” she responded despondently.

“Claire, I really need to ask you a favour.”

“What?”

“Do you think you can make it out here tonight?”

“Why? what’s going on?” the seriousness in his tone and the fact that Mike usually did not ask for favours, set her nerves on end with anticipation.

“Brandon’s had a really tough day, and I think you can do more for him than I can at this point.”

She was touched by his words, but it only worried her more “What happened?”

“Everything that shouldn’t have happened, happened. I feel fucking horrible… he’s probably been hit the hardest by this whole situation. And we all know how sensitive he is no matter what sort of front he puts on, which makes everything all the more fucking worse.”

“Mike, you’re being so vague and your scaring me…”

“Her parents, said some fucked up things to him and it eventually turned into a physical confrontation.”

“Oh god…He didn’t-” she thought possibly that Brandon lost his temper.

“No, it was Marissa’s father.”

“What the fuck? This all happened in a church? Is he okay? Is he hurt?-”

“-Claire, just get here when you can.”

“I will,” she hung up. Immediately calling her travel agent.

Mike ended the call as well, believing calling Claire was the right thing to do.

If he hadn’t thought so before, he now realized Brandon was at war with himself and it threatened to rip him from the inside out.

*

It was presently almost 10pm, and the after fragrance of summer rain infused the living area of the hotel room. Brandon walked in and dropped down onto the couch.

Tilting the bottom of his beer can into the air, he drained its contents into his mouth and then, once empty, dropped it onto the floor to join the collection, already scattered across the carpeted floor.

Glancing at the television screen he noticed that it was playing breaking news of his ‘incident‘ with Marissa‘s parents.

His heart began to ache all over again.

After turning it off his nerves settled to some extent, he picked up the phone dialling one familiar number. His own voice shocked him for a moment, but then he left a message for Claire:

"Hey Babe.. it’s Brandon. When you get this, can you come by?“

His voice was wavering and it almost seemed that he had forgotten they weren’t even suppose to be in the same province, but that would soon change.

*

Claire grabbed her bag, as the cab pulled up in front of the hotel.

“Thanks” she tipped him, stepping out. As soon as she did that her phone resonated a small jingle that signified she received a new voicemail.

She took a moment, thinking it might be Chris and called her inbox. Putting in her password she waited for the pre-recorded operator to tell her she had 'one new message' with allowing her to hear it.

She listened to Brandon’s voice, and knew he needed her.

If they could count on nothing else in life, they knew they could count on
each other.

She called Mike after saving the message, letting him know she was in the lobby.

During the elevator ride, Mike’s conscience must have gotten the best of him when he casually confided in her.

“I just wish I could have been there for him, a better friend you know? but I wouldn’t have known how to react to that myself. I still don’t know how to react to it. They were ruthless.”

“What did they say?”

“They blamed him for everything. Said it was all his fault, and her mother laid one hell of a guilt trip on him-if I do say so myself, about how much Marissa loved him when all he did was cheat on her in return.”

"Like mother, like daughter I guess…” Claire said affronted and finding the ability relate to the blame being passed on. After all, Marissa did tell her before shooting herself that she ruined her life.

“Why is this thing taking so long!” Claire vented in reference to the elevator ever so slowly making it’s way up to the 10th floor, but presently on number 9.

As soon as the door opened, she was the first to rush out, walking down the hallway.

“You might want to know what room to stop in front of, and possibly the key as well.”

She turned around, impatiently

“Then give it to me already,”

“Calm down, if it weren’t for me you wouldn’t even know what was going on.”

“And I thank you for that. But if you don’t quit pussy-footing around I’ll make those creatures from the Hills have eyes, look like friendly pilgrims when I‘m done with you.”

“OoO scary.” he rolled his eyes “It’s 1012, and here’s the key” He tossed it and caught it.

“You could have taken 30 more minutes to get here, and he would still be in the same position he’s been in all evening. So I don’t see what the big, frantic rush is for”

“Well there‘s an easy answer for the reason you 'don’t see why'.” She walked by reading each number on the door before finding it “You kind of have a warped view on reality, because you’re Jewish.” She glanced at him, giving him a quick wink with a smile before letting herself in.

“You saw what happened to Mel Gibson when he pulled that stunt. Do you really want to go down that path?… and where the hell am I suppose to stay while you two are in there! Hello?”

The door was now closed.

She walked in slowly, being careful not to slam the door shut. Placing her bag near the door, Claire continued down the small hallway that led directly into the living area.

Although he was still buzzing from the alcohol, Brandon knew she was there.

He could always feel when she was in the room, but could never give a clear reason as to why.

“That was fast” His voice was deeper than usual.

“Yep, as soon as I got your message I hopped on the next flight over here.” she smiled lightly, and he immediately looked up and forced a smile back, trying to hide the distress on his face while standing to his feet.

Claire came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She nuzzled against his neck. When she did that, he sighed, happy that she was there with him.

“I missed you.” She kissed his cheek before moving back.

She could smell the alcohol tracing his breath and the cans around her confirmed what she already knew.

“Brandon, you’re buzzing.” She placed her hand on the side of his face.

Her hand on his cheek and gave warmth to his face. The warmth was good.

His jaw clenched slightly, and his head turned to one side, embarrassed he had resorted to drinking to cure his problems.

“Sit down,” she sighed, walking away briefly.

He heard the tap running, realizing she had gone to get him some water.

Claire stood against the small wall parting the kitchen from when he was now seated; and stared at him.

He could see she was brimming with questions, but her lips pressed together and she narrowed her eyes.

She was desperately trying not to ask questions, because she could tell that Brandon could not figure out the answers or what to say.

He loved her for that.

He felt a lump in his throat as she walked over and stooped down before him making him take a sip, before placing the glass on the floor next to her, and her hands on his own.

Brandon was melancholy in a way she'd never seen him before.

“We can talk about this tomorrow, and get some rest tonight..”
Claire assured, and her face softened.

She wanted to question him, he could tell, but she was also a wonderful person. She did not want to hurt him, or to inspire thoughts or memories that might hurt him.

Claire could see that he was on the verge of tears, probably the reason he wouldn’t say anything. He was also breathing slightly heavier than he was moments ago, something she recognized far too well.

It was something her brother did whenever trying not to cry.

She rubbed his hands comfortingly, willing to wait however long he needed her to.

“I should have known something wasn’t right that night I ended the relationship. She was so composed- something totally out of her character in comparison to the entire week prior.”

“Brandon” Claire said, ready to tell him otherwise but he continued to talk.

“The things her mother said…” Concerned, Claire lifted his chin so she could look into his eyes.

Never had she seen so much pain in something so alluring.

“What did she say?”

He winced his eyes shut as if enduring a headache, followed by crouching over to look at the carpeted floors; one hand on his forehead shielding his eyes.

Claire now sat Seiza-style in front of him. She moved her face closer to his ear and whispered “Let go” under her breath so only he could hear her words.

“Just, let it go”

“I can’t…” Brandon began to be rebut when her fingertips fell to his lips.

“Yes you can, I’m right here.”

“I don’t think I actually realized the veracity of her love for me until today. It shatters my heart to know I could make anyone feel that way.” He could barely breath and he wasn't sure if she had noticed him shaking. “Her mother told me how she’d call, telling her how I was the one. How loving and how fucking sincere I was-That I would never hurt her. I really couldn’t find it in myself to be angry her father for wanting to kill me back there. If someone treated my kid that way, I would have probably done worse.” Brandon’s voice was low yet soft as she saw the tears forming in.

Claire shook her head sadly at him breaking down before her. She had never seen Brandon this way.

He was the solid one, the level headed one in most situations; but what else could she expect?

The one thing that Claire was certain of, was that Marissa’s actions was in no way the fault of Brandon.

It was her anger toward Claire if anything, that pushed her over the edge.

“Fuck” he cursed, feeling a burn in his eyes and tears rolling down his cheeks. For the first time since the ordeal, he did not fight it. As they began to fall faster, Claire brought him closer to him and he rested his head against his shoulder drawing his arms tighter around her.

“You’re going to be okay. Everything is going to turn out fine, you know why? Because we’ve got each other, and even though I can be a complete bitch-and you a complete douche... I’ll never leave your side.” She spoke in a calm yet firm tone, evoking a small chuckle from him.

“I know.” he agreed.

TBC......
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Teardrop In The Fire