BeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepWHACK!

It was one of those days that made you want to curl up into yourself and sleep the day away. But the occupant of the room knew that he needed to be somewhere. With covers over his head, he was reluctant to wake up, but, slowly, a white haired head crept up. Dante rubbed his face in his pillow before sitting up on his knees, the blankets slowly tumbling off of his body as slowly as he got up. He practically stayed up the entire night, almost foolish enough to hope that tomorrow wouldn't come. He knew that would be impossible.

Why did reality have to be harsh like this?

Remembering bits and pieces of a dream life he had seen the night before, he groaned; the thought of having to crush them came down like the weight of the world on his shoulders. Getting up out of the bed, he slowly made his way to the closet where he stored a lot of his things after figuring he'd spent enough time just thinking about how hard the day would be. Athough he had to laugh. Mustang said he would take him out to go see her; he wondered just how said chemistry teacher would react to a Dante who didn't act like his usual balls to the wall self. Today just didn't seem right for his normal antics nor did he really have the heart to pull his usual tricks. Today would be all about one person.

Too bad she'd never know.

Picking out what to wear was difficult that day. He couldn't dress up; that wouldn't be like how she'd know him, wouldn't be like him. But he couldn't wear his normal leather, well, not how he would usually wear it. That would be disrespectful towards her. Jeans, he thought would probably be best, slipping them on while looking for a tshirt. After finding a simple red one that was just right for such an occasion, he pulled out a black button down, leaving it open. There, best of both worlds, he thought closing the door to the closet.

Maybe he should see if Vergil wanted to go along. Though, it was doubtful, seeing as she was really nothing but a memory to him. It couldn't hurt to ask though.

Picking up his guitar case, he sighed. It had been so long since that day and yet he could hear the screeching tires and the sound he heard as his mother's body hit the hood. He could still feel Vergil's hands grasping hard on his own arms almost swaying in the direction of the feeling. The shocked screams and gasps were still as sharp to his ear as they had been. Even the memory of not being able to see just what had happened, his brother then some stranger blocking his view.

Sometimes he wondered just why his brother had saved him that day when every time Dante spoke to him, it was as if he was just another annoyance. If Vergil thought that of him then... maybe he shouldn't have pulled the younger out of the way...

The second year sophomore shook his head. There was no way he was going to get anywhere with thoughts like that. Even so...

Taking a good deep breath after feeling his throat close up ever so slightly, Dante headed towards the door of his room, and went through it, closing it behind him. Now it was out to the parking lot, but not before texting Vergil if he wanted to come or not. We'll just find out in however long it would take the teacher to get there.

As the boy waited, he took the guitar case off his shoulder before taking out a beautiful acoustic guitar to tune it. He wondered just how long it would take to get there.

Happy Birthday, Mom; too bad you're missing it again.