Chapter8

"I'm heading over there right now." I said over the phone to Nikki.

"I've picked out some movies. A few chick flicks and something gory"

I laughed. "Gory?"

"You know, blood and screaming. I wasn't sure if you were into those or not but I got it anyway."

"Those kind of movies never scare me. Not anymore." Not since I'd met Nick, realizing how different people were once you go to know them.

"Okay well... then it's a comedy."

"I'll be there in a few minutes. Time me." I said, before hanging up. I turned onto the main highway and ran a hand through my hair, pushing it back from my eyes.

The sun was out, high and warm in the sky. I knew it wasn't all that warm outside really. It wouldn't be for a long time.

It reminded me of the day Nick and I first met. The way he looked at me when he spoke without worrying about anything. How sure he was that we would be together. He was right about it all.

The sun grew brighter and brighter until I couldn't see anymore. A thick heat slid down my legs until there was nothing left. No pain, no feeling. Nothing.

I blinked heavily and turned my head. I was laying on the pavement, my car a few feet away from me, smashed up and destroyed.

That's when I saw him, walking towards me. Behind him was a bright white light, leaving only the outline of his body.

"Jesse, I'm here. I'm here." He whispered, dropping down to my side.

Nick.

Something was wrong. I could feel it. I could feel it deep down in my bones, in every inch of my body. I knew something was wrong.

With Jesse.

I threw the front door open and ran outside into the cold, winter air. The thick sheet that held me close to the house was nearly invisible. It didn't hold me back as I ran, didn't stop me from getting to where I had to be. It let me go. Just. Like. That.

I ran for a long time. Until I was sure I knew she was there. And she was.

I dropped to her side, feeling thick tears spill from my eyes. Some rolled down my cheeks, others dripped straight from my eyes and onto Jesse's bloody face.

"Jesse, I'm here. I'm here." I whispered, my voice failing me like I knew it would when this day came.

Why so soon? Why now? Why was her light dying out now?

Her lips parted a little and she whispered something: my name. A few tears leaked out her eyes and rolled down the sides of her face and into her hair.

I lifted her head into my lap and brushed her hair back as gently as I could. "You're going to be okay, Jess. I promise."

Why was I promising this? Why was I promising something I knew wouldn't happen? Why start something when I knew it wasn't going to be finished and carried out?

"You came." She said, her voice just a soft whisper. She opened her eyes further and looked up at me.

I smiled though my lips and my chin trembled with sadness I couldn't control. "Forever doesn't stop."

"I thought you couldn't..."

"Anything can happen when you're in love."

A small smile spread across her face.

I leaned down and pressed my lips gently to hers. She was panting now, her chest rising and falling in short, quick gasps.

I pulled my jacket off as slowly and gently as I could and laid it down across her chest, covering up the ripped cloth that barely covered her ribs. "Close your eyes and let go."

"Nick, I can't." She said, a sob breaking free from her chest. She cried out, whether from pain or something else, and moved her head just a fraction of an inch.

"Yes, you can. I know you can. Do it for me."

She shook her head weakly. "No-"

"Jesse, it's okay. You can let go."

"I can't leave you." Tears mixed with the blood on her face, changing her tan skin to a light red shade.

I smiled, a little bit of happiness coming into my voice. "You won't be leaving me. You promised me forever and I'm holding you to it."

She laughed then cried out, her chest aching. "Stay... with me."

"I'm not leaving. Ever."

She slowly let her eyes fall. She continued breathing for almost two minutes more before she exhaled... and never inhaled again.

I laid her down on the pavement then stood up. She looked like she was sleeping, like she was at peace.

I went invisible and picked up her dead spirit. It still looked like the her I remember. The her that was whole and new and alive.

I held her close to my chest and ran. She fueled me, my strength and ability to run. Knowing that she wouldn't leave me. Not ever. Knowing that I could have my perfect ending and she could, too.

I laid her across my bed then went to the window. The sky was dark now, starless. The wind was blowing fast, moving the leaves outside off of the ground.

My Jesse. She was gone yet still here. It seemed impossible. Death then birth always did. But Jesse... she made me feel alive. Her voice, her laugh, her smile. Her everything. Her existence made me feel alive. It made me alive. And I would be eternally grateful.

One more chapter left. And, unlike these last few, won't come for at least a week. Though it is already finished I'm not giving you what you want this time. Sorry!