LILY'S SIDE
"I'm sorry"
Lily's shaky hand held tight to the pen as she looked down at the sheet of paper.
"I'm sorry." she said out loud before continuing.
"I'm sorry I never told you. There's so much I should have. After all, you're my best friend and you never knew. I didn't want anybody to know though. I saw how people looked at Margo Amsterdam when her family secrets were brought to the attention of the public and I couldn't bring it upon myself to do it, to end up alone somewhere with only sympathetic eyes cast upon me. I should have told you. I promise I will. Please, don't show this letter to anyone. Not anyone, not your parents and especially not my father. Promise me you won't. I know that once you've heard that I've run away acting surprised won't be hard. I know it won't because you never knew. Me leaving would be unexpected to you, to everyone, but James, oh James, it's been a long time coming. When I'm safe, when I'm okay, I'll call you. After all, we aren't best friends for nothing. Remember everything. Okay? Remember to take car of my wolf, he's an amazing creature, I promise. I love you."
She signed it Lily, glancing at her backpack as she folded the note up and stuck it in her back pocket before slinging her bag over her shoulder and hissing out a breath of pain. "Shhh" she willed herself "Shh now, you're okay. You're just fine. You'll see." she promised herself softly as she left the protection of her room and crept through the dark halls of her house.
As usual her Dad was asleep.
Please don't wake up, please, please, please. She inwardly chanted as she crept down the stairs and to the front door. Looking over her shoulder at her house one last time she sighed and slipped out into the night. Here went nothing.
JAKE'S SIDE
He couldn't sleep anymore. Not really. Not even in wolf form which was how he was now. He was constantly waiting for Lily to return and it had only been two days. He stationed himself near the edge of the woods. It took everything in him not to follow her home, everything. He knew she wouldn't be returning until tomorrow, or did he?
Hearing the familiar engine of her car, Jake peeked his head out of some underbrush and watched as the blue rabbit pulled to the side of the road. He was confused. It was very late, why was she here? Not that he minded but -- was she alright? Immediately his heart started racing, his blood pounding in his hears as he watched her get out of the car. She seemed fine but .. her breathing was irregular and as she twisted her body a bit he heard her let out a hiss of pain, biting her lip to keep from crying and .. there were tears running down her face. Fresh tears, still leaking out of her beautiful eyes. She was in pain and that iun turn caused him to feel the same. His heart gripped, his chest tightened and in an instant he was at her side and she was blinking at him in confusion.
"My wolf" the words left her lips and caused his heart to swell. Her wolf, yes, hers. "I came to say goodbye"
He froze. Goodbye? What? She was leaving? He whined and Lily laughed a bit. A pained laugh that caused her to squeeze her eyes shut, her expression contorting as if someone had juist stabbed her. "Ow, ow, I'm okay. Shh, I'm okay" she murmured to herself, watching her wolf as he let out another low whine. She smiled softly at that.
"I swear, I'm really starting to believe that you understand me." she said in a gentle tone, petting his head as she stood there, her breathing still faltering causing him to whine and nuzzle her hand.
"I'm sorry. It's not your fault. I'd stay if I could, I mean, I haven't even finished high school but - I can't - I can't live like this" she admitted in a soft whisper. "I'm scared of going home, of what mood he'll be in - my Dad." she whispered and suddenly it all clicked, the bruise yesterday, her breathing today, her tears, the pain. Her father hit her, abused her. That was it. Jacob growled low in his throat.
"Shhhh" she soothed, running her fingers through his fur. "I'd stay if I could. I wish I could bring you with me but I'm not even bringing James. He doesn't even know and - and - G-d, I don't know where I'm going to go. I'll try Seattle. I have some money saved. I've been waiting for this day to come and .. here it is." she murmured softly to the wolf. Leaning down, she kissed his head and smiled. "I have to leave now" she said her voice breaking, causing him to whine. "I just thought I'd let you know even if - even if this doesn't make sense. I told James to look out for you. Don't go getting yourself hurt. You're a good wolf, you are. Best wolf I've ever met." she teased with a sad smile as she climbed into her car. Jacob continued to follow her, trying to prevent her from going but she gently pushed him away and he oblidged. "Bye wolf" she murmured, shutting the door and driving off. Jacob could distinctly hear her crying as her tail lights faded and then .. he was running, running after her car. If she was going to Seattle than so was he but first, he'd need to make a trip home.