I look around after my meltdown and see many people in the alley have come and encircled me and the dead boy- some on their knees, others closing their eyes and putting their hands up, praying to what I would imagine to be their religion’s god.

I slowly stand up, and run to the lemonade stand. I want to occupy my thoughts. I do not want the attention of these people. I'm covered in blood. 

As I get to the stand, I am so out of breath I think this is it. I will suffocate and die along with the boy that was my cousin that I didn’t even know that name of. 

Ash rushes out, and I collapse into him. His shirt is green, and it only makes me cry more. I'm choking on the stench of blood and tears. He must be worried. Why did I even come here? 

He rocks me back and forth and my breathing slowly calms. He kisses my forehead. I don’t pull away.

“It’s okay. Just breath. Breath. You can tell me what happened after we get you cleaned up.” He slowly picks me up off the concrete and brings me inside, gently setting me on the beanbag in the corner. He must’ve finished patching up the hole.

He takes off my hoodie- it’s soaked. He disappears through the curtains to get a cup of water. Once he’s back, I swill it. He fills it up again and dips a napkin in it. He pats my face, and stairs worriedly into my ice blue eyes. I wonder what he sees in them. Why he’s so interested in me. He starts to get up and I grab his arm. His eyes widen and he sits back down. I never voluntarily touch him. 

“Stay.” I croak.

And he stays.