Chapter 12: Epilogue
Disclaimer: Please read chapter 1 and I don't own the song, it belongs to Michelle Branch.
A/N: Thank you so much 4 those who reviewed and look out 4 the sequel of this story coming soon; also the name of the song is "Goodbye to you."
Bold = Letters (In this chapter)
Italics = Emphasis
~~~~~ = Scene change
Bold italics = Music lyrics
There was a knock at the door and Lee yelled from his position on the couch that it was open. Maria came in and found him sitting there, staring at an envelope.
Maria: Lee what was the big emergency?
Lee (moving over and motioning for her to come and sit): This letter. Jade left it. She's gone.
Maria (confused and not wanting to believe it): What? No, are you sure? Did you read the letter?
Lee: No, it was addressed to the both of us, thought I should wait for you.
Maria: Thanks, but how can you be sure she's gone then?
Lee: She left her key to the loft with the letter; I checked her stuff upstairs, it's gone…all of it.
Dear Lee and Maria,
I'm sorry I didn't write two separate letters but seeing as how both of you are my two best friends in this messed up world, I thought one would do, cuz I know I'd write the same thing to the both of you. As you've probably noticed I'm gone and I don't think I'll be coming back. You probably don't understand why I'm leaving and I wish with everything that I had, I could tell you the truth, but I can't. I'm hoping what I do tell you will suffice. There are things about me that you guys wouldn't understand…you couldn't, not even I understand them. There are things about me that are unnatural. I'm not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill, girl next door; I have what one might say a shady past. You know the old saying: 'The past will come back and haunt you'? Well, mine is right on my ass and that's a part of the reason I left. I wish I could tell you the other part but I can't; it's the reason of why I've been acting so weird lately. These last two years have meant so much to me, especially having you two as my best friends. God, you two will never know how much you mean to me. You've been my family, you two kept me sane, and you guys were what made me believe that I could be just an ordinary girl…that my past didn't have to ruin my future, but it did. If I had stayed, sooner or later my past would not only ruin me but you two as well, and I couldn't stand it if anything happened to the both of you…especially cuz of me. I am so sorry for everything, I wish I didn't have to lie to you guys all these years but I did it for all the right reasons. The truth would endanger the both of you and I couldn't let that happen…I still won't. Please forgive me for all of this, for lying, keeping secrets; the whole nine yards. I just want to say that you two are the utmost beyond extraordinary people I've ever met and if I should die at this moment I'd be happy just to have know you two. You both are more than a girl could ask for in friends, and maybe someday we can meet again…in another life. Thank you guys so much for everything, bye.
Love Always,
Jade Hunter
Maria couldn't help but let her tears run free knowing she would never see her best friend again. As Lee tried to console her, he couldn't help but let a few tears trickle down his cheek.
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Of all the things I believe in
I just want to get it over with
Tears form behind my eyes
But I don not cry
Counting the days that past me by
Zack had awoken to the sun streaming down on him from the window. He turned around in bed only to find that it was empty. He used his enhanced abilities to hear any noise coming from the bathroom, but there was none. Then Zack saw it, the envelope addressed to him in Jade's handwriting. When he opened the envelope a ring fell out of it, he took it in his hand, and started reading the letter.
I've been searching deep down in my soul
Words that I'm hearing are starting to get old
Looks like I'm starting all over again
The last three years were just pretend and I say
Dear Zack,
Where do I start? I have so many thoughts going through my mind right now, especially about us or lack of an 'us'. I'm such a coward Zack, telling you this in a letter and not to your face, but the thing is, by the time you read this I'll be gone…for good.
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
I wish I could have stayed just for us, but even you know that knowing what I know I can't leave the things the way they are…I need to make them right somehow. Whenever I needed him, Connor was always there; somehow someway he found ways to help me in my time of need. Now, for the first time in my whole existence Connor needs me and I'll be damned if I let him down.
I still get lost in your eyes
And it seems like I can't live a day without you
Closing my eyes till you chase my thoughts away
To a place where I am blinded by the light but it's not right
I so badly want you Zack… for one last time I want to just feel your touch, to taste your kiss, to feel your skin against my own, and to be with you as one. Knowing that all this will never happen again kills me inside but I have to deal and move on.
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
I want you to know that what I had with you these last few days were so amazing and I'll treasure the time we had together forever. I've never felt the way I felt when I was with you…for the first time in along time I felt more alive then ever. I want you to know that all my feelings and affections towards you were all real and they will never change. The ring in the envelope I left for you was a ring that I won at a carnival in Las Cruces a couple years back. It came in pairs and I have the other, it's called a Claddah ring and it comes form an Irish origin.
Ohhh yeah
It hurts to want everything & nothing at the same time
I want what's yours and I want what's mine
I want you but I'm not giving in this time
The story behind it is that the hands represent friendship, the heart: love, and the crown: loyalty. If you wear the heart towards you it means you're taken; if you wear it away then the relationship between you and the person who gave it to you is one of friendship. The thing is you give it someone you love and the closest I've ever felt to that is what I had with you these past few days.
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
Like I said I have the other one and whatever you decide to do with the one I gave you is totally up to you. Damn it Zack! I hate doing this to you, you deserve someone so much better and maybe someday soon you'll find her…but I know it won't be me.
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
Your fight is over Zack, you can finally be free to lead your life and be happy. You can settle down and maybe start a family…but for me…my fight has just begun. Please just be free and live your live to the fullest, cuz if anyone deserves it, it's you.
Much Happiness,
Jade Hunter
After finishing the letter Zack put the ring on—heart pointing towards him—and left the hotel room. He was dying inside knowing Jade was gone for good.
When the stars fall and I lie awake
You're my shooting star
~~~~~THE END~~~~~