I've never been the best at letting go

I don't wanna spend the night alone

Guess I need you, and I need to

Make it on my own, but I don't wanna grow up

We can stay forever young

Living on my sofa, drinking rum and cola

Underneath the rising sun

I could give a million reasons why

But you're going, and you know that

All you have to do is stay, a minute

--

Too many people.

Way too man people for Eddy's liking.

Fancy clothes, and fancy drinks. Women right on top men and men right on top of women. His parents disappeared with a few older people. There were young people too, teenagers about 15 or 17, maybe. Mary was close by, holding Eddy's hand, scared to be lost in the huge swarm of people.

There was no place to sit. That was the worst. You either keep on standing looking like a fool, or you dance; still looking like fool. Eddy and Mary both chose the first option. They scooted over to the drink's table and just stood there awkwardly, looking at people dancing. They ordered a few drinks for themselves and stood there just sipping it ever so slowly. Maybe this was a bad idea.

"Eddy, how long! Oh my! How tall you've become!" Someone, shouted in his ear. It was a woma- no. Not just any one. It was his goddamn sister acting like an aunt. "Hey Mary! Lovely dress, and thanks for teaching this trash can how to dress properly. It took me ages." Eddy scoffed, but smiled nonetheless. His sister was lovely. "So how are you?" Mary asked, "Very good, until an actual aunty comes by to go 'oh look how big you are. You were this small when I last saw you.'" Belle rolled her eyes dramatically, and ordered a drink for herself. "How's the job?" Oh yeah, Belle was a manager at a company. "Going well, how are you? Heard you topped." Eddy smiled, "Got one percent more than you did." Belle glared playfully and then pointed at Mary, "Heard you were on the toppers list too. True?" Mary nodded. "Woah, you got your hands on a nice girl. And look at me, single as hell." Belle smiled sweetly at Mary. She really liked her. She was sweet and always nice to Eddy.

Belle liked dancing. Not so much but a few moves here and there were okay for her. She disappeared into the crowd to find someone decent to dance with. And Mary and Eddy were once again left alone. Everything was going good until Eddy's stomach cramped. The people were increasing. And Eddy was getting more cramps. He did not know why. Was it the people? Or was it the drinks? Was it the different types of smell? Eddy didn't feel good, and excused himself. Mary found a chair to sit on while Eddy went out to get some fresh air.

The stars outside were pretty. The sky was beautiful as always. Not much clouds were there and the moon and celestial bodies were shining and twinkling with all their might. Eddy sat on a bench nearby. They were at a house. They didn't know whose. And the house was massive. The ground floor was all full with people, partying. Apparently they would have a calmer time too, after 8. When the real re-union would happen. Uncle and aunts whom people never really knew existed would suddenly show up and greet you with a big, sweaty hug. That was scary for Eddy.

Eddy liked that it was windy outside. The cold wind was blowing in his hair and his sweat was slowly evaporating. Eddy went in after twenty minutes. Not knowing it was 8:14 PM. The people were sitting now. How did so many chairs pop up out of nowhere? A woman was standing in the middle holding a microphone. "Umm, so we have a really special guest amongst us. And we would love to force him, " Everyone started laughing. What was the joke? Why was there a sudden gap in the middle? It that supposed to be a stage? "Yeah, we would love to force him to play us a little something on his violin." Who was this guy? Why a violin? A man stood up, his back was visible to Eddy. This man was laughing softly. The laugh...

No way.

What was he doing here? Where's Mary?

A thousand thoughts flooded Eddy's mind.

It was Brett Yang.

In front of everyone. Once again. With a hell of a beautiful violin in his hands. Did he buy a Stradivarius? Eddy didn't actually know how to tell if it was, in fact a Strad or not, he wasn't a luthier. He was silently pulled by woman and beckoned to sit. "Sit down." She whispered. "Have you ever went to a classical music concert? God, you're distorting the people behind you." She asked. Eddy just looked at her and dead-panned, "Ma'am we don't talk in a concert." And turned his attention back to the violinist on stage.

What in this world was Brett Yang doing in his family reunion?

Brett took the microphone and said, "Well this is very special and a bit long, but since we don't have much time I'll just play the second movement. My favourite one by the way." And he winked, at someone. Brett took a breathe in and said, "Tchaikovsky violin concerto, second movement." He handed the microphone over and lifted his violin up. This time his shoulder rest didn't fail him. His bow lifted up and hit the strings.

That was one of the best Tchaikovsky concerto, Brett ever played. Eddy has to agree. It went so smooth as if it wasn't even difficult in the first place. The music lingered in the room even after Brett had stopped. Brett went back to sit down. And the Host stood up again. And said something about re-unions but Eddy was busy looking for Mary, paying no attention to what the woman had to say.

He soon sent a text to her to which she replied she was far away at the back and couldn't really move seats. Though Eddy was visible to her, she couldn't really do anything except sit uncomfortably close to some old aunties chattering and giggling. Eddy sighed and resumed ignoring the words of the Host.

If Eddy didn't have his eyes closed, one to listen, two to ignore the hell of a beautiful man in front of him and three to stop his tears from flowing. He would have noticed something.

Something glinting.

Glinting on the fingers of Brett Yang.

The people were playing a game now, some old fashioned mathematics related game. Eddy was not a part of it. He felt nauseated once again. This time the close proximity between him and Brett was killing him. He excused himself once again, and left for the porch. He quickly sent a text to Mary asking is she wanted to join. Mary replied with:

I'll come only if these women stop suffocating me with their legs. They literally are killing me. Help, they're too close!

Eddy laughed for a second before replying,

You:

Want me to become your Prince Charming and help you out?

no thanks, ed. you can't even get out of bed on time and you'll fight off these women. btw I gotta stop texting incase the peep into my screen. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ASK THIS WOMAN TO NOT DRAPE HER ARM OVER ME?!

You:

Oh hell nah, tell her that shoulder, mine. ;)

Eddy stopped texting Mary after that. The cold air outside was nice. The stars were twinkling even brighter. The night was getting even more cold. But then Eddy heard loud rustling of leaves and giggles. "That was nice, babe." Someone whispered, a man, and then more giggles. "Thanks baby." Another man replied, this time familiar.

Brett.

Wait, 'babe'? To a man? Wow, Brett never told him? "Why would he, Eddy?" Eddy's own mind replied to himself. Time flies, and people change. Eddy smiled to himself, still not moving from his position. The whispers had quieted down. Eddy guessed both Brett and his... lover were stargazing, just like him. The porch was big and there were benches behind the house too. "Hey Eddy, finally came out of the grasp of those aunties." Mary popped up. "Hi, darling." Mary rolled her eyes, "How many lovie-dovie names do you have? You change them like every month." Eddy smiled, "A ton for you, cupcake." Mary glared playfully, then sat down. "Mmm, I preferred 'boo'. Don't ask me why." Eddy smiled again, "Fine then, boo." Mary's face changed emotions after about ten minutes, "What's wrong, boo?" Eddy asked. "Uh, need to use the washroom." Eddy nodded, "Go in and ask someone." Mary soon left.

Eddy didn't notice two people entering the house instead of one. And one person behind him.

"I'm sorry, Eddy, but do you have time, now?" A voice all too familiar spoke from behind him. Eddy turned around, startled. He looked up, Brett was surely looking nice nowadays. Jean-jacket on top of a full white shirt and grey skinny-jeans. Who wouldn't fall for this man?

Eddy cleared his throat along with his mind. "Yeah sure Brett." Brett walked around and sat down in font of him. Hands in his jacket. "How've you been?" He asked with a small, was that a sad smile? on his face. Eddy smiled big, "Great actually. You?" Brett smiled too, reflecting Eddy's smile. "Same." Eddy looked up. But the stars had dimmed now. "I think we both another round of behavioral changes, right?" Brett said and softly laughed. Eddy laughed too. "I think. You look like you've grown up." Brett looked down at himself. "I think I have." Eddy smiled. "Career?" Eddy asked, "Upcoming soloist. No changes, you?" Eddy smiled, "Professor, no change in that either." Brett smiled, sad again, why?

Brett leaned in closer, "I'm moving again." Then he sighed, "Mark and I, both going to Europe. He plays the cello by the way." Eddy raised an eyebrow, "Mark?" Brett raised his eyebrows, "Oh you're not on social media, anymore? Mark, my boyfriend. Uh well..." Brett raised his hands. Both interlocked with each other, to show Eddy a beautiful gold band on his left hand's third finger.

Eddy smiled, sad but happy. How is that even possible? "Fiancé?" Brett smiled, "Yeah, met a few years back." Eddy smiled, "Good for you." Eddy would have thought 'too early' but who is he to judge? Maybe Mark is better of a friend than he could ever be.

Just as he was going to say something, someone grabbed Brett's shoulder, soft and lovingly but possessively whatsoever. "Oh, I see you got company, Bretty?" The guy grinned looking at Eddy, "Hello, I'm Mark by the way, I see my boyfriend found a new friend." Eddy smiled, "Y-yeah he did. I'm Eddy." Mark nodded, his arm snaking more around Brett's small figure. Brett stood up, moving beside Mark, "Okay, so we gotta go. Bye." And they left the house.

Bretty, Eddy gave this name to him.

He felt a bit angry. Mark didn't even know who he was. He didn't know his name. That means Brett didn't tell his fiancé about his ex-bestfriend.

A new friend, huh?

Eddy walked inside and texted Mary, saying he was near the drinks' table. He would have felt a little bit sad on knowing Brett was moving away again. But now, he didn't. He really felt as if Brett had changed again, maybe a little bit, but Eddy still didn't like him.

He would've liked it if he would have stayed a little longer, talking, but now he just prayed to whatever God that existed to increase the distance between him and Brett.