It's happening.

She's going to die.

I don't want her to go so soon...

I tried to force these thoughts out of my head as I smiled tearfully down at Jamie, who grinned weakly back. "I love you." That familiar lump formed again, lodging itself in my dry throat. "And I wish you could stay a little longer."

Her chest rose and fell, just barely, and her breathing was shallow and quick. "I love you, too," Jamie whispered. I reached over and gently brushed strands of dark brown hair from her face, which, I noticed, was as white as death. "And..." She stopped, closing her tired eyes and trying to muster up what little strength she had left. "And I wish... I could, too... But it's time... for me to go, Landon. I... I can hear Him calling me. Don't worry... He has it all under control. I'll... be fine. And I'll always... be with you."

Painfully, with great effort, Jamie lifted her bony hand -- it had several bruises -- and touched my face. Her brown eyes glinted with love and peace and wisdom far beyond her young age.

Very tenderly I took her hand in mine, kissing it. "I know..."

Jamie smiled at me, and switched her gaze to the hospital ceiling, falling silent.

Yesterday morning she couldn't get out of bed at all; she couldn't even lift an arm. I called for an ambulance, and laid down with the girl I loved, holding her close, though so scared of hurting her. Jamie didn't say anything, just let out a breath. Then she murmured, "It's time to go."

I could feel my heart pounding against the wall of my chest in panic and dismay, but kept my mouth shut and instead pressed my nose to Jamie's neck, and then the ambulance arrived. Since then I hadn't left Jamie's side once; I didn't eat or drink anything. Hell, I didn't even go to the bathroom! Strangely enough, my bladder seemed pretty empty.

My thoughts were cut off as Jamie inhaled sharply and sighed. She turned her head slightly, wincing while at it, and looked at me. "Landon... When I die..." My turn to wince. "I would... like to be cremated... in Beaufort. Please take my ashes to... the pier... When the wind comes... and the sun rises... that'll... be the time to let me go." She interlaced her shivering fingers with mine.

"Okay," I murmured, struggling to keep my tears back. "Okay."

"Don't cry." Another pause, as Jamie worked on bringing a little more air into her lungs. "I'm not... actually going to be gone... Just... not going... to... be... in sight... anymore..." My heart seemed to miss a beat as Jamie began speaking more slowly and softly. "Tell Daddy... that... I... love him... and to take... care... Goodbye, Landon... Carter... I love... you... Stay... strong... for me... and good luck..."

And she was gone. Not another sigh from her, or a flicker of life in her eyes. Her hand went limp in mine, and the whole world seemed to go still for a moment.

I rested a finger on Jamie's face, drawing it slowly down her cheeks and over her chin. Then I closed her eyes, and kissed her nose and forehead. Her skin was icy.

As the doctors burst into the room, and Reverend Sullivan stood in the doorway, his eyes watery and red, I stood up and backed away. A sudden peaceful warmth filled my heart, and I knew it was going to be okay. Jamie was always going to be with me.

"She said she loves you, and to take care," I told the Reverend as I reached his side. Her father just stared at me for a while, as though wondering why I hadn't broken down yet, and then smiled a little.

He knew it was going to be okay, too.

God and Jamie were smiling down at us, I could tell.


A/N: About the pier thing... Is it a pier? O.o