A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated lately. It has been a hectic week! oh and I'm just going to say now for this story, forget about Amanda. I know, I know Kyle and Amanda are technically together but I don't feel like writing in a break up. so fans of Amanda: sorry. Fans of Jessi and/or Kessi: you're welcome.
"Kyle?" Kyle jolted awake at the sound of Nicole's voice and the slight shake. He looked down and saw Jessi sleeping in a tub full of what was now water. Kyle felt the imprint of the edge of his tub etched across his cheek and he let out a huge yawn.
"Sorry, I must have fallen asleep." Kyle said as he ended the yawn.
"It's okay, but I think we need to get Jessi out." Nicole replied nodding to Jessi. "I will get her a change of clothes but can you drain out your tub?" Kyle nodded in response. He looked down and realized Jessi was shivering. Nicole was already ready with a towel in hand as Kyle gently lifted her out of the freezing water. Jessi began mumbling inaudible words and her movements started to become frantic. Nicole wrapped the towel around her, dodging her swinging hands. Once the towel covered her, Kyle held her tightly, attempting to now warm her up. He felt Jessi's muscles beginning to relax as her movements became settled. Nicole gently laid a hand on her shoulder signaling for her to take over. Kyle reluctantly released her and Nicole helped her upstairs to change.
Kyle's tub was clean and dry by the time Jessi was able to shower and dress. Her temperature was back to normal, but little words managed to escape from her mouth. As she walked into the room, she let out a small smile towards Kyle who was folding a blanket. He set the blanket on the edge of his tub and walked up to Jessi right when she sat down on her bed. Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand and pulled Jessi up to him. As their bodies smashed together, Kyle wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders and buried one hand within her hair. Slightly surprised at first, she returned the gesture and brought her arms around his back.
"Everything is going to be okay, Jessi." He whispered into her hair and let out a soft sigh.
"How can you be so sure?" Her voice broke a little bit as she held back her tears.
"Because I am going to make everything better for you, I promise. I don't know how yet…but…I just want to see a smile on your face again…" Jessi buried her face into Kyle's shoulder and her arms tightened around him. After moments of silence, she let out a huge yawn.
"I don't understand why I am so tired lately…" She said mostly to herself.
"You are emotionally drained…it's best for you to just relax." Kyle said sadly, wondering how long this was going to last. She didn't respond; instead, her eyes began to glaze over and another yawn took over her control. Kyle released her from his embrace and she immediately curled up on her bed. Within seconds she was sound asleep. Kyle sighed. He wasn't sure exactly how long Jessi was going to need to rest, but he hoped that she would start to feel better soon. Kyle walked over and slid Jessi's blanket over her. He took a seat at the edge of the bed and half-smiled at the peacefulness that spread across her face. Her arm was lying loose on the bed and seemed to be begging to be held. Kyle's hand softly traced up her arm until the tip of his fingers reached hers. Finally, his fingers found its way through her idle ones.
The sound of his door opening made Kyle jump slightly and release Jessi's hands. He looked to the door and found Nicole.
"How is she doing?" She asked, not seeming to have seen Kyle's previous actions.
"She's sleeping…again."
"That is her mind's way of dealing with her thoughts. Her mind is subconsciously, in a way, trying to escape from reality."
"Nicole, it's been days. Why isn't she showing any signs of improvements?"
"Everyone heals at their own pace. I know you want to help, but there isn't much you can do. It's all up to Jessi…" Kyle hid his silent frustration. He knew Nicole was right, he just wished that she wasn't. He was tired of waiting; he wanted to try to find some way to help. It was at that thought the idea struck him.
The atmosphere of the apartment building has changed drastically since Kyle had been here last. After entering Jessi's memory, that scene was the only thing he could imagine when looking down the hall to Jessi's apartment. Kyle went straight the apartment across from Jessi. The apartment he remember as the place of the lady named Grace Kingsly; the apartment Jessi remembered as the place of the man named Cassidy.
Kyle knocked on the door but there was only silence. He tried again, but again there was nothing. Just then a man came out from the apartment next door.
"Excuse me sir, do you know the people that live here?"
"Sorry man, no one has lived there for years." The man continued on his way to the elevator as Kyle was frozen in place. Kyle's shock subsided as he shook it off, for now, and headed to Jessi's apartment. Everything was still in place from when he last left it. Kyle scanned the place, hoping for some type of clue, anything. Once there seemed to be nothing in the living room, Kyle headed to Jessi's room. He paused at the door and looked further down the hall, Sarah's room. Kyle walked away from Jessi's door and changed his pathway to Sarah's. He hesitated at first, afraid of what he might find. Finally, he turned the knob and entered the room.
The room was neat, clean. It seemed as if no one had lived here for months. It was so quiet…so empty. Just then, something caught the corner of his eye. Something sprawled across the floor in an unorganized matter, completely contradicting the room. He slowly went over and kneeled down to pick it up. Just then, he felt a hum sound in his pocket.
"Hello?" Kyle greeted on the phone, still holding the item in his hands.
"Kyle? Where are you?" It was Nicole, she sounded worried and slightly frantic.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"It's Jessi. I don't know what's wrong but she keeps asking for you…" She trailed off and Kyle could hear cries in the back along with Lori trying to calm down Jessi.
"I'll be right there." With that he hung up the phone and stuffed both his phone and the item in his pocket.
Kyle could feel the distress radiating off of Jessi as he entered the house. He hurriedly strode to his room, getting closer to Jessi's cries. Each one felt like a needle poking at his heart. As soon as he entered he saw Nicole and Lori on the bed next to her, Nicole was pushing Jessi's hair away from her face as both were talking calmly to her. Kyle rushed over and scooped Jessi into his arms. It took her a while to realize who was holding her, but when she did; her arms desperately clung around him. Nicole and Lori took it as their cue to leave and nodded to Kyle before closing the door.
"Jessi, what's wrong?" Kyle said while tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Why did you leave me?" Her voice was a mixture between desperation and anger, but it was mostly desperation that was heard. Kyle didn't know what to say. "You can't leave me, I need you."
"You know I would never leave you."
"But you just did."
"I intended on coming back. I would never leave you permanently…" Kyle didn't understand why Jessi was acting like this. She didn't respond right away but she began to relax and her cries went from frantic to calm.
"I just don't want to lose you too." The realization hit Kyle like a knife in the heart. "That memory…of Sarah…it keeps showing up in my dreams. I want it to go away…" Guilt rushed over Kyle as he wished that he had been there for her when she woke up.
Memories are a way of keeping the past alive, some are so painful we never want to visit them again...
"Jessi, I'm sorry…"
"Just promise that you won't leave me…"
"I promise." There was a moment of silence.
"I miss her so much." Jessi whispered.
"I know." Kyle paused. An idea then hit him. "Jessi, I want to help…but it would require you to access your memories again."
"No, I don't want to."
"Not that particular memory…a happier one. Think of a happy time you had with Sarah."
"But I'm scared."
"I'm right here with you…" Jessi nodded and within the next few seconds an unfamiliar place to Kyle formed around them. There were tiny shops lined up with trees that filled the rest of the view. A small bridge was over a creek, where he spotted Sarah and Jessi. The memory Jessi had shopping bags in hand while Sarah had her camera phone out. They were laughing and smiling and this sight made Kyle smile as well. Jessi soon spotted Sarah as well and her eyes lit up.
"Sarah." Kyle watched as Jessi took in the sight of her mother, the moment.
But a memory can also be a gift, something we can open again and again in order to fill ourselves with happiness...
They watched as Sarah excused herself to the bathroom and memory Jessi stayed on the bridge. Jessi and Kyle followed Sarah as she entered a jewelry store. Sarah went to the cashier, who seemed to recognize her, and handed her a bag.
"Whoever it is for, it's beautiful." The cashier said politely to her.
"It's for my daughter." Sarah said politely back, fighting her antisocial nature. Jessi smiled, but she didn't remember Sarah giving her anything.
"What is it?" She asked him, half excited and half curious.
"Let's find out." Kyle offered his hand out. As soon as Jessi took it, their surroundings dissolved and they were back in Kyle's room.
Kyle reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple designed bracelet with a silver chain. It defined Jessi so well; not too fancy or over the top, but absolutely beautiful. Kyle held the bracelet in front of her as she reached for it. Her thumb traced the front of the bracelet. A quote in tiny engraved letters was written on it. 'When you feel like giving up, just remember why you held on for so long in the first place.' Jessi took a few seconds to think about it as her lips began to curl up into a smile.
And sometimes a moment becomes a memory the instant it is happening...because it is so true, so pure, and so significant, you want to capture it forever.
Kyle's hand rested behind Jessi on the bed as Jessi looked up at him with the first real smile he has seen for a while. He couldn't help but smile right back at her. He was happy because she was happy, and he missed seeing that smile. Without realizing it, Kyle's free hand slowly moved up to touch Jessi's cheek. Her happiness turned into confusion at his touch, not exactly sure of what to do. Moments later, Kyle brought her lips to his into a sweet, innocent kiss. Once they pulled away, it took a second for them to register what happened and both had their mouths opened to say something, but no words were spoken.
"I…I…uh…have to go…" Jessi said stumbling over her words and immediately pushed Kyle's arms away as she got up and left the room.
A/N: again, sorry for the long wait. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
