Alternate Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Graduation Dream
I felt arms wrap around me, pulling me close to their body. I had my eyes closed, but mindlessly wrapped my arm around the figure. I inhaled, smelling the scent of the one boy that reminded me of everything.
"Jake…" I softly said and felt a breath against my ear.
"Yes." It said.
I opened my eyes and found myself staring straight at Jake's figure. We were laying in a white room, white bed, white everything, with Jake wearing white clothes and my own clothes white.
"Jake?" I gasped and removed my arm from his body. I pushed away, sitting up and looked around. There was no exit. Just a plain white room with a bed. How can Jake be here when Jake's dead? Am I missing something?
"Miley, don't be scared…" Jake's soft voice cooed as he sat up. He moved closer from me, reaching for my hands as I retracted them and got off from the bed.
"This cant be real, you're…"
"…dead. Yeah I know." He said as he stood up, following me. "Miley, you're dreaming, but I had to see you…" He said and I stood still, staring at his body.
He walked up to me with his soft hands tracing my cheek. "I wanted to tell you I love you before I left." He softly replied and I dropped my head as my eyes glossed over.
"You cant… I don't want you to go away." I found myself saying. "Jake, you're the only guy I want. You're everything to me and I need you. You're the-"
"No Miley." Jake begged. "Don't you dare say it. I cant… leave… knowing you're hurt."
"Good because I don't want you to leave! Jake you promised to be by me all the time. You cant just leave me because-" I started as tears started running. "I don't want to lose someone important to me again. I love you."
"No Miley…I know I promised and I saved you. I rather have myself die than you. I could never let you die." He said as he stepped forward, now cupping my face with both his hands.
"Then how am I supposed to get over you? I cant just wake up and just forget you." I shouted cried.
"It takes time… but just know I'm a dream away, you think about me and I'll always be by your side." He softly said and I closed my eyes. "I want you to be happy."
"I-" I started, but Jake pressed a finger to my lips.
"Shh… don't make this harder than it already is. I love you and I always will. You're the only one for me."
"I love you too Jake. You're all I need…" I whispered and slowly opened my eyes as he leaned forward.
Our lips touched, his soft and warm skin held me close to him as I slowly closed my eyes, melting into the kiss.
------
My eyes shot open and felt my lips tingle. It was still dark and I lay in my quiet bedroom. I looked at the time and saw that it was 4 AM, just 12 more hours until graduation.
I raised my hands to my lips as it still felt warm from the kiss in my dream.
That kiss felt too real to be a dream, but…
I let out a soft sigh and closed my eyes.
"I love you Jake."
------
I stood in front of my mirror wearing a black dress with my hair down and straight.
It had been three days since I left the hospital and four days since I found out that Jake died and right now, I don't see the joy in wanting to graduate anymore. There's no point, I wanted to graduate with Jake and I'm not getting it. Then again my dream last night told me that Jake wanted me to be happy. He wants me to let go of him, but I can't.
I sighed and straightened out the front of my dress. I looked down and my hands paused at my stomach.
My baby
I'm pregnant and I have my first appointment on Saturday to see how long I really have been pregnant.
I sighed and turned to my side. I wonder how I'll look like when I get a big belly.
I rubbed my stomach and frowned.
The baby won't even know who its father is if I am pregnant, which is a great loss. I know for a fact that Jake would've been a great father… if I really am pregnant.
A knock came from the door and I looked seeing Luann standing there.
"Hey." She smiled and walked inside. She wore a black dress as well and her hair was neatly curled at the ends. She hugged me tightly as soon as she reached me.
"What's up?"
"We have to leave."
"Okay, I'll be out in a minute." I told her and she nodded. I'll meet you downstairs." She replied and started to walk out of the room.
Just before she left the room, I called for her. "Luann."
She turned to me and tilted her head. "What?"
"Timmy loves you, just so you know. He knew it was wrong for Matt to do what he did, but Timmy loves you." I told her and she pursed her lips.
"Thanks for telling me that." She replied and then left my room.
I walked over to my closet, where my cap and gown hung, and took it down. I stared at my blue gown with my yellow sash. I made Summa Cum Laude with my almost perfect grades. At least I worked hard throughout my high school years.
I walked over to my table, taking a necklace which held two rings; one being the promise ring Jake gave me and the other one being the engagement ring. I slipped the necklace on and looked at the rings. Just before putting it under my dress, I notice an engraving in the engagement ring. I put it closer to my face, reading what it said on the inside.
You're All I Need - M & J
I smiled, allowing a single tear to shed.
I took a tissue from my counter and dabbed my eyes. I can't cry now, I have to wait until after all these things happen today.
I forced myself to smile and I slipped the necklace under my top and walked out with my cap and gown in hand.
------
At the graduation, Luann, Lilly, and I were sitting in our seats on the gym court. The principal was giving his speech and everything seemed to catch up to me.
"I don't think I can do this." I whispered to Lilly and Luann.
"What? But why?" Lilly asked as she took my hand. Luann took my other hand and I frowned.
"I just can't. Jake wanted this, all he wanted to do was to graduate from a regular school and now he can't." I dropped my head and Luann put hear head on my shoulder.
"I know what you mean Miley, but think of it like this, what would Jake say if he were to see you right now, and not want to graduate just because of him?" Luann asked.
"Don't say that." I said, feeling myself once again become teary eyed.
"It's true though Miley, just relax… everything will be fine…Jake would want you to have this even if he didn't." Lilly let go of my hand and pulled me into a one arm hug.
Luann and Lilly let go of me and I do need to get through this. I just need to move on even if Jake gave me my first everything, especially his heart.
"And now, the students will sing their class song." One of the announcers said and we watched two people walk up front, climbing on these wooden things and signaled us to move forward and raise as our song started to play.
After we sang our two songs, it was my turn to go up. I told the school I would sing a song for Jake, more like they asked me to sing a song for Jake. I didn't know what song to sing, especially since most of my songs are either too happy or too depressing, but after reading what that ring said, I knew exactly what song to sing.
I stood up from my seat with Lilly and Luann giving me supporting smiles and I walked up the aisle, and onto the stage, where my band got ready to play.
I took the microphone from the emcee and smiled at him as he walked down the stage.
I looked at the crowd and smiled at them.
"I'm going to sing a song which reminds me of Jake Ryan and how great he was. It's a total loss for what happened to him… to us, this past weekend. It's not the happiest song, but I would like to sing it and congratulations class of 2010, we made it." I said and everyone clapped.
I told my band which song to play and soon the beat for the song started up.
I started to sing, which seems like singing is the only thing that could help me get through this. I sang it, hitting every note perfectly and not too long or short. I held my stomach as I walked around the stage.
Can you still see the heart of me
All my agony fades away
When you hold me in your embrace
He only had to go
I wish I could let it go
I know that I'm only one step away
From turning around
Don't tear me down
For all I need
Make my heart a better place
Give me something I can believe
Don't tear it down
What's left of me
Make my heart a better place
I ended the song and dropped my head as the crowd roared in applause. I felt a little better and now I felt more excited. I'm graduating today and I should be happy. Jake wouldn't be happy to know if I was sad and depressed on this day. It's supposed to be a happy day.
I walked over to the podium and gave the emcee his microphone back. I hugged each of my band members and left the stage, going back to my seat. My band members were working to get the instruments off the stage as another person went up to say a speech.
I found my seat and Lilly and Luann hugged me.
"You were great." They told me and I smiled.
"Yeah, so let's graduate." I told them and they smiled widely at me.
"That's the spirit." Luann said and I nodded.
"Yeah, I know. Even if Jake can't be here with us, he's here in spirit and that's all we have to think about. He would do whatever to make me happy and now I just have to be happy that I'm here." I told them and they hugged me once again.
Even if all of this happened in so little time, I'm happy that I got my time with Jake. He taught me so many things throughout the years and I love him for doing so many things for me. Now I have to look after myself and make the right decisions. I have to be strong for myself and that's all that mattered.
A/N I should probably say by now that the song I've been using this whole time that Miley sings is called All I Need by Within Temptation.