2. Chapter Two
Always & Forever
NB: Make sure you read the Author's Note!
It didn't seem the same, someone was missing. There should have been nine people there, instead one was missing. One person that no one would ever forget. One person, who though they may not have known it, changed and helped everyone's lives in Summer Bay. Someone that words would not give justice too.
Hayley had her arms crossed as she walked with Dani and Kirsty, up to the cliff. The service was about to start and she didn't know how she would be able to handle it all. She had the support and love from her friends, of course, but she needed him. She couldn't face this without him. She remembered when they first met, they didn't actually get off on the best foot, but then they fell for each other. She loved him a lot. She remembered their first argument, they first time the took a break. She remembered how he helped her and she helped him. She remembered their wedding. The beautiful blue sky, her walking up the aisle. Seeing his face smiling at her. She would never forget that day. She would never forget him.
Everyone had stopped walking and looked up at Scott.
"No words can describe how we feel about Noah, so we can have silence so everyone can remember him in their own way."
Hayley felt tears in her eyes as she looked around at everyone.
Flashback:
Kirsty stood there her mouth open in surprise. She couldn't move. She felt like she was going to faint. She held onto Kane for support. She looked at a crying Hayley to Noah lying lifeless on the ground and to Sarah, who was doing the same. She felt tears in her eyes ... no not Noah ... why anyone?
End of Flashback.
She remembered rushing out with everyone after they'd heard the gun shots. She remembered Dani falling onto her knees crying muttering it was all her fault. She remembered seeing Hayley's expression as she watched fall to the ground. She couldn't believe it had all happened.
Flashback:
She looked over at Kane and collapsed, crying into his arms. She buried her head into his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her. She couldn't bear to look at Hayley.
As soon as Noah rushed after Sarah he had taken off after the both of them. He couldn't remember who else was there, everything was too sudden. When he heard the gun shots and Dani scream out no, he immediately thought it was here. So when he rushed quicker and saw Hayley on her knees leaning over Noah sobbing uncontrollably he was shocked. He didn't want it to be Dani of course, but Noah? He couldn't believe. Why the hell did he take her here? Why didn't he fight her or call out to the cops? They were right there.
End Flashback.
He remembered seeing Dani saying that it was all her fault, but he remembered pulling her up and telling her that it was his, not hers. He remembered how good a friend Noah had been to him. How he was always offering advice, and he was really thankful for all of it.
Flashback.
"It's my fault," he said as he hugged Dani.
"No," said Dani looking up at him. "It's my fault."
"No –" he stopped he couldn't believe he was arguing over something like that. His best friend was – dead.
He looked over at Hayley.
"NO!" shouted Dani. She couldn't believe it. No – it was just a dream. "NO!" She fell to her knees, when she saw her best friend fall to hers.
She began to cry and muter into her hands that it was her fault. Soon everyone was outside and sirens were all that could be heard against sobs and cries. She felt Scott pull her up and say that it was his fault. She said that it was her fault, but then stopped she didn't want to argue over that.
End Flashback.
She'd never forget Noah and would never forget that day. Noah was a great person who did not deserve to go. She was so worried about her best friend, she'd be really supportive of her.
Flashback.
Flynn, Sally, Leah and Jesse rushed out just as ambulance officers rushed in and around the two lifeless figures on the ground. Not one of them could believe that Noah had actually gone.
"I can't believe it!" said Leah. "Noah..."
"I know..." said Sally, she couldn't help but have tears in her eyes.
"Is he dead?" Hayley looked up at Flynn. "He's not dead is he? Oh please don't let him be dead."
"I'm sorry Hayley," said Flynn, "but he's gone." He had to admit saying those three words were the hardest thing he'd ever said to anyone.
"NO!" said Hayley. "No it's not true. Noah! Wake-up."
Jesse kneeled down next her. "It'll be OK Hayls."
The four of them couldn't believe it.
End Flashback.
The four of them still couldn't believe. Flynn and Sally both remembered what a good councillor he was to the school (in his short time) and the Drop In Centre, which he put his whole life into. Jesse and Leah remembered what a guy he was and what a tragedy it was. All four of them knew that he had helped lots of peoples' lives.
"We'll never forget you Noah," said Hayley. She walked up to the edge of the cliff. She stood there, her face showing the sadness that she felt inside. She couldn't bear to look at anyone; she found comfort staring at the ground. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she made her way over to the edge of the cliff. The waves seemed to sense her mood and waved roughly against the bottom of the cliff, whilst the wave blew strongly and the grey, dreary sky contemplated everyone's mood.
She sensed someone next to her. She turned her head to the side, there was no-one there. Everyone was off in the distance, upset, but no-one would ever be as upset as she was, that just was not possible. Still sensing someone close to her she turned her head to the other side. Her eyes widened when she felt someone take her hand, what was going on? Suddenly Noah appeared before her.
She had to blink a few times, what was happening? This couldn't be possible; she was imagining things, seeing things that she wanted to see. That was the only logical explanation, Noah couldn't really be standing he next to her, could he? Though when she saw him everything felt all right, just as it did when she saw her dad at her wedding. She felt a calming sensation travel through her and suddenly felt relaxed.
"I can't do this," she said breezily, holding onto the urn tightly.
"Yes you can."
She held back her tears and swallowed, turning her head to face Noah. She bit her lip; he gave her a comforting smile. She tried to hold the tears back, but she couldn't they cascaded down her cheeks. "No, no I can't."
She felt Noah's hand on her shoulder and she looked into his eyes. "Yes you can Hayls. You're strong, I know that. I'll always be here for you."
Hayley managed a faint smile as she nodded her head. She closed her eyes and threw the ashes from the urn over the edge of the cliff. She watched them fall softly into the ocean below them. This was really happening, he was really gone. She took a few steps back, she turned her head, but Noah was no longer there. "I'll always love you Noah, forever and always, you'll stay in my heart..."
She turned around and saw Dani and Kirsty standing there, sorrowful looks on their faces. Hayley managed to smile at them. Maybe Noah hadn't left her at all, maybe he was still here with her? The though kept her going as she walked over to them. She linked arms with them and rested her head on Dani's shoulder as the three of them walked back over to everyone else.
"If you need to talk, love," said Irene softly. "I'll be here."
Hayley nodded slowly. "I – I just need to go home, lie down and rest."
"Of course," said Irene.
THE PALACE
Hayley slowly made her way upstairs and fell onto the bed, it seemed so big and empty without Noah laying their besides her. She lay back and looked up at the ceiling, wishing that Noah would come back to her like he did at the funeral. It was a wonderful funeral, everyone was there and everyone was wonderfully supportive.
This wasn't supposed to be happening though, she shouldn't have been burying her husband a month after they got married, and it wasn't supposed to be that way. They should still be celebrating, not mourning. She sat up before finally standing up and looking around the bedroom everything seemed so dark and isolated. Noah used to light up a room as soon as he entered it.
She had loved him so much, she still loved him just as much and decided that she would never love anyone they way she loved him. They had a tough relationship, but deep down she knew their feelings would remain for each other, but she wished that they never broke-up or took breaks from each other. They time they had seemed too short.
She got on her knees and reached under her bed, she fished around for a while until her hand reached a box. She pulled it out and placed it on her bed before sitting down. She carefully took of the lid and reached into the box and pulled out a few photos. Photos of her wedding day. She reached into the box and began sorting through them.
Suddenly there was a light knock on the door. "Come in."
Hayley saw Dani's reflection in the mirror. She continued to look at the photos and put them in different piles, thinking of the memory that when with each one, before placing them in the pile. She smiled as she looked at the recent on she had in her hand, it was of their first kiss of husband and wife. She held it longer and realized just how much she would miss hiss kisses and his warm, hugs.
Dani finally broke the silence and walked over to Hayley. "Hayls, how are you feeling?"
"Oh," said Hayley, "I'm fine."
"What are you doing?" asked Dani as she moved closer to Hayley.
"Sorting out the wedding photos," said Hayley as she turned around to look at Dani, she saw her best friend look at her, a worried expression creep up on her face.
"Hayls are you sure you want to do that? I mean right now...?"
Hayley managed another smile. "Yes. Noah and I were supposed to do it, but with everything that was going on we n-never got the chance. He'd want me to do this, besides there's nothing better to do."
"But it's so soon Hayls. Maybe you could –"
"Mope around the house all day feeling sorry for myself?" asked Hayley as she went back to sorting through the photos. "I don't think so."
"Hayls you're allowed to do that, you just –"
"I know Dani," said Hayley rather quickly, she didn't need Dani reminding her that she had just gone to her husbands funeral.
Dani looked away. "Hayls I'm sorry I –"
Hayley looked over at her again, "Hey, it's OK; you're just trying to help. Besides Noah wouldn't want that either."
Dani nodded. "OK. I'll leave you to it."
Hayley turned back around and looked at the photo in her hand, this time it was over her walking up the aisle. Even though she couldn't see him, she could still sense that her father was in that photo too. Just how she could sense that Noah was right there sitting next to her. She let a small smile play on her lips and leaned over and opened the blinds, letting what sunlight there was, shine through.
She looked into the mirror and saw Noah's reflection starring back at her. Something was defiantly going on, if she was just seeing Noah, why was the mirror showing his reflection too? She forgot about that and smiled at him. "You came back."
"I said I'd always be here for you."
"Dani's worried about me. She thinks I'm moving on too quickly." Hayley turned around and looked at Noah. "What do you think?"
"Maybe you are Hayls. It's OK to be upset about everything; you don't have to do what I would want. It's up to you."
"You heard what I said?" she questioned.
"Yeah."
She smiled again and felt more comfort go through her. She moved up on the bed until she was closer, she lay down on her side, her head rested on the pillow and looked at him as he lay down beside her. She moved her hand out and touched the side of her face. Was a figment of her imagination was supposed to feel so real? No, there was something going on. Noah really was here with her. "I miss you already."
"I miss you too."
"How come you're still here?" asked Hayley; although she was upset she needed to know why Noah was here.
"Because you need me."
She smiled once more. "Well I'm glad that you are." She noticed him smiling and automatically could tell that something had happened. "What? Tell me?"
"Scott finally proposed to Dani."
It was then also that the she really knew that Noah was here, that just proved it. "Really?" and then she added with a laugh. "About time."
"That's what Dani said too."
Hayley smiled. "I'm so glad you here with me."
"I think you've already said that," said Noah smiling back at her.
Hayley laughed again. "Really? You know just the right things to say." She leant towards him, their lips touched for a second before he had disappeared. She rolled over on her back and closed her eyes.
"You're up," said Dani.
"Yeah," said Hayley as she walked down the stairs. "I had the best dream ever."
Dani nodded slowly. "There's something I –"
"Congratulations," said Hayley smiling. Though she was happy for her two best friends she couldn't help, but feel upset. Nearly two months ago she was planning for her wedding and she was the one getting congratulated.
Dani opened her mouth in surprise. "How did you know?"
Hayley decided not to say anything about Noah; people would think she was going crazy. "I overheard you and Scott talking about it."
"Really?" asked Dani. "We weren't talking that loud."
"Oh," said Hayley. "I – I guess I have really good hearing."
"Yeah," said Dani. "Would you like some breakfast."
"Actually I'm going to go the beach. I'll see you later," said Hayley.
THE BEACH
Hayley felt like crying. She looked out into the ocean and saw people surfing. She remembered when she complained to Noah about not seeing the point of surfing. She said that it was boring and couldn't see the point of it, but he always argued back that it was good. She remembered when he used to drag her out of bed at the crack of dawn just because there was a 'good wave'. She'd give anything to have that back again. She'd wake up early every morning if it bought Noah back.
She wished she could talk to him again. She wished she could tell someone about it, but she knew that people would think she was crazy. She knew she wasn't though. She really could see Noah. "I miss you so much," she said under her breath.
"I miss you too."
"Noah!" she cried, she turned her head to see him sitting next to her. "Oh I'm so glad you back."
"Can't resist watching surfing, can I?" he asked smiling.
"Oh Noah!" Hayley cried. "I can't do this. I need you."
"I'm here."
Hayley tried to hold her tears back. "I know, but I just miss you so much. I just don't understand anything, it's not fair."
"What's not fair," said Noah. "Is that I'll never be able to see you again."
"What?" asked Hayley. "You're here; you can see me – right?"
"Yes I can see you, Hayls, but I won't be able to stay here forever."
"No!" said Hayley. "You can't leave me."
"Hey," said Noah, putting an arm around her shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere yet."
Hayley felt more tears in her eyes as she rested her head on Noah's shoulder. "I love you so much."
"I love you too."
Hayley wasn't sure how much time had slipped away, but she felt someone calling her name.
"Hayley! Hayley!"
Maybe it was all a dream. Maybe nothing had happened at all. She'd just had one horrible, long nightmare. No, she couldn't live in denial. As much as she wished and prayed that nothing happened it wouldn't change. She'd have to live with it. She opened her eyes and slowly stood up. She saw Dani standing in front of her, a worried and sympathetic look on her face.
"Oh Hayls, we were worried. I'm so glad you're OK."
"How long have I been gone?"
"Three hours," said Dani. "Come on, let's go back home."
"Just wait," said Hayley. She walked towards the edge of the water. "I'll always love you Noah, forever and ever."
It was true, he might have been gone, but as long as she lived she would always love him. She would never stop loving him, she would never love anyone the same as she loved him. It would stay that way forever...
Author's Note:I know, not as long as the first, but I still like this chapter a lot. It shows how much Hayley really loves Noah and that she misses him a lot. It also featured the funeral, which I hope you guys like. I didn't have an eulogy because I wouldn't have been able to write one that did Noah justice. I'm going to look back at the song "Always There" and see if I can get any lines or ideas from that. There's a line from the song in here, ten points if you guess which one it was. I'm trying to work on my writing skills, to make people cry. I cried while I wrote this, but I cry over anything. Well I hoped you guys liked reading that chapter as much as I liked writing. Let me know what you think in your reviews. Criticism is accepted. This fic has been the only one I've been really happy with. Also for interest I wrote this while listening/watching the "Always There" MV which features Hayley/Noah I couldn't stop crying! Word Count: 2, 955 (don't expect long chapters all the time!).
Love and Light Lozzyxx
P.S Hayley/Noah 4eva!