Saying No To Nick, by Bruce Coville (fantasy short story, 2006)

[lb_lee]

"You can't fix someone else's broken heart. [...] All you can do is love them."

Blurb: Jeremy has never been able to say no to his best friend Nick, but after dying in a tragic accident, he has to.

Why is it worth your time?: This is a short, bittersweet tearjerker of a story about love, loss, and friendship, and trying to come to terms with guilt and shame. The plural content is low, but key to the resolution of the story.

Plural Tags: abuse not mentioned, cofronting, otherworld, friendship, children, romantic, spiritual, the dead

Content Warnings: Death! Others contain spoilers; see comments

Access Notes: This short story is available in the following anthologies: the One Right Thing, from 2008 (only available on paper), and Twice Told: Original Stories Inspired by Original Artwork, from 2006 (available as ebook and on paper).

Comments

Content Warnings; add your own in this thread!

[lb_lee]

Jeremy dies in a tragic accident that Nick takes part in, and a core theme of the book is Nick struggling with grief and guilt for having inadvertently killed his friend. (Note that this isn't a hazing accident or anything; it is truly a string of tragic improbabilities that no one could've expected.) Also homophobia, both inner and outer, attempted suicide, and unrequited queer love.