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It was a pleasant morning for once, Smile thought. Sister was away with her family, as it was with half-siblings, and he and Gabe were sharing a tender morning together after Smile's stressful night of drug-sitting Carrie. He finally left when she passed out, hoping she was okay. She probably was, but he still felt uneasy.
Then, his phone rang, and Smile sleepily got a sense that something was wrong, but groaned and kissed Gabe's neck as he reached for his cell phone.
Flipping it open, he let out a tired "hello?"
A pause. Smile almost hung up. Then-
"Carrie died this morning."
He felt the life leave his body as Sabi's static-filled words came through. Since James left, Carrie had been getting worse. He didn't think it was that bad. He was wrong. He was wrong. Wrong wrong wrong wrong WRONG.
She died. She died. The words felt like bitter sand forced down his throat. It was his fault. Smile should have taken better care of her. He shouldn't have left her alone that night. He should have done SOMETHING.
It was too late. He couldn't react. He couldn't speak. All he could do was cling onto Gabe as tightly as he could. Everything shattered around him. He couldn't even cry. Why? Why? Why? WHY?
Gabe grabbed the phone from Smile as the tears hit his chest.
"Who is this?" He grumbled.
Pause. "Ah... Are you holding up alright?" a sadder, more solemn pause, like he knew the news was coming. A sigh. "Alright, I'll take care of him. Don't do anything rash, Sabitsuki. I'll check in on you later."
An arm wrapped around Smile, and Smile finally let himself truly cry, Gabe petting his hair.