I was lying in bed, not wanting to get up. My room was dark, and only a little light slipped through the edge of the curtain. I felt stuck, lost, and I missed my brother so much. Then, I heard a knock on my door.

"Ace, are you awake?" my mother called gently.

I didn't answer. I just pulled the blanket over my head. After a moment, I heard her sigh, then her footsteps slowly walking away. I picked up my phone and played an old video of my brother. He was smiling. I smiled too, but then a tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it quickly, but the tears kept coming. I whispered through the quiet,

"I'm sorry, bro."

I put the phone down and wiped my tears, still hiding under the blanket. I was quietly sobbing when, suddenly, the video started playing again. I heard my brother's voice:

"Wakey, wakey! Look at my sleepy-headed younger brother."

I picked up my phone, wiped my tears again, and watched. He was giggling while holding his phone. Then I heard my own sleepy groan in the background.

"It's time to go to school," he said with a sigh.

He lowered the phone, but the camera kept recording. The screen showed my blanket, and I heard him sit on the edge of my bed.

"Ace," he said softly, "I know you're mad at Mom and Dad because they want a divorce. I don't like it either. But here I am being your older brother. I'm not here to scold you, just to talk."

He paused for a moment.

"You know Dad... ever since we were kids, he always drank, came home angry, and hurt Mom. I don't want you to grow up like that. Lately, you've been going out, skipping classes, coming home drunk, and locking yourself in your room. Please, don't go down that road."

My chest tightened as I listened.

"I believe everything happens for a reason," he continued. "Maybe this is God's way of challenging us. I want you to be strong, Ace. One day, you'll see the beautiful result of all this pain."

He gave a small laugh. "Hey, hardhead, don't skip school again. Study hard, find a great job, and live the life you truly want." Then he stood up and picked up the phone. I guess he forgot to stop the recording. I didn't see his face, but I recognized the pants he always wore. I don't even remember this moment, I was probably too hungover from drinking. But just before the video ended, I heard him say one last thing:

"I love you, little brother."

Then he walked out, and the video cut off. It must have saved automatically.

Tears flowed from my eyes again. I hugged the phone tightly and whispered,

"I miss you, bro."