Chapter 12 ~1 month later~

Joe Pov

"Kevin! Will you get off the phone already!"

It was 1 in the morning and he was on the phone talking to Meg. Even though they were still just friends, they talked for hours on end.

"Joe's hollering again. Talk to you in a while. I miss you so much."

I felt a pang in the pit of my stomach as he said the last part.

Was I jealous? How could I be jealous when I have Emily?

As my thoughts wandered, Kevin's breathing slowed to a deep, even pace. I picked up my cell and hit speed dial 2.

"Hello?" She said questioningly. I guess she didn't look at the caller id.

"Has anything exciting happened in the past ten minutes?"

"Joe? Why are you calling me when you just hollered at Kev to shut up?"

"I couldn't get back to sleep."

"Me either."

"So. Only two more months and we're home free."

"By that time, I'll be a wreck."

"What do you mean?" I had no clue what she was talking about.

"Everywhere I go I see me mom. I swear sometimes I even smell her perfume. Ever since my birthday I can't get her out of my head. Hey Joe. I have to go. I have to get things together for my youth night at church. I'll talk to you again soon."

"Bye."

I flipped my phone shut. Why was I always left in the dark?

Meghan Pov

I knew it was wrong to leave Joe hanging like that but I just am not ready to tell him. Nobody knows how I feel. Nobody.

Sheets of rain. Swerving. Impact.

"Mom. Mom! Are you okay? Mom! Please answer me!" Tears streamed down my face as I shook my mom trying to wake her. Her eyes finally flitted open, looking straight into mine.

"Please take care of your father for me."

"Mom. You're not going anywhere."

"Honey. Please leave me go. It's my time." Blood slid out the side of her mouth as she spoke. Again she slipped into unconsciousness.

"Mom! Wake up. Please wake up!"

Her eyes opened. She took a ragged breath as her right hand came up to touch my cheek.

"I love you."

Her head slumped into my lap as her hand slipped down my cheek, almost caressing it.

"I love you too." I said with my face turned toward the pouring heavens. Rain mixed with my salty tears.

I woke crying. I scrambled for my phone. It read 5 am. Kevin should be up by now. It'd be 7 where he is.

I dialed Kevin's number.

"Hey Meg."

"Hey Kev. I had the dream again. Kev, I really need you. Now."

"We're at State College tonight. Can you get a flight out?"

"Yeah. I think I can. I'll see you then."

I flipped my phone shut before I could say anything else. How was I going to tell my dad that I was going to State College tonight to see Kevin? I think he'll be slightly miffed.

"Dad?" I screamed down the hall to his study.

"Yeah!"

"I'm going to State College for day. Probably be home tomorrow."

"What?" He stormed out of his study and planted himself in front of me.

"I'm going to check out the college then see the guys in concert at the Bryce Jordan Center."

"Fine. But be careful."

"Oh thank you dad. I will."

I threw myself around my dad's chest, giving him a bear hug. Now I just had to keep up with the whole seeing the college thing.