………………………………………………………………………………………………… Chapter Thirteen: WITH OR WITHOUT YOU Brian is calmly lying in his bed, naked under the dark blue sheets, with a cigarette between his fingers and his phone to his ear in the other. “… and like a wise man once said, ‘Life is not based on the amounts of breath you take, but on the amount of moments that take your breath away.’ You know?” Emmett says in a sophisticated manner. “Oh Emm, very profound, I’m truly impressed!” Brian says sarcastically, with a hand against his chest. “Thank you very much Bri.” Brian takes a drag. “You wanna come over tomorrow?” Brian asks Emmett as he exhales smokes from his mouth and nostrils. “Ummmm… I have to check my busy-busy schedule.” Emmett pretends to think out-loud. “I’ll give you all my red gummy-bears.” Brain bribes sweetly. “Yeah, okay! I’ll come early in the morning.” “Bye Emm-y.” Brian says, faking his happy tone. “Bye sugar-bear-snugly-snooglysnor-…” Click. Brian hangs up before Emmett can finish his too-friendly-for-Brian nickname. He lets his head fall heavily back onto his pillow, he’s reach over to grab another cigarette, but his cell phone rings and vibrates on his bed. He flicks it open. “Yes!” He snaps. “Can you come and pick me up?” A shy voice asks him. “What no, ‘hello… ‘How are you’… ‘I’m fine?” “Brian seriously.” Justin interrupts him. “So what am I, your personal driver?” “I need your…” Justin starts, but stops talking abruptly. Brian hears faint noises in the background and notices that Justin’s voice sounds sick. “Justin?” Brian startles, sitting up. “Justin, where are you?” “Bri, you know the…” He pauses. “Bar across from Brooklyn’s restaurant?” Justin’s voice weakens. “Justin you go to that other place, that bar’s not safe, it’s filled with dealers and-” Brian says frowning, but stops when he hears the unmistakable sound of liquid being thrown on the ground. “Justin, are you sick?” He gets up. “Stay there I’m coming.” Brian gets up his high-raised bed and dresses quickly, slipping on worn-out jeans and white top. He grabs his gray sweater, puts it on, not bothering about zipping it and heads out his mansion. ............................................................................................................................................