Jess sat on the ground in her room, leaning against the wall. She stared up at the ceiling light shaking above her head. She could the storm cycling over the shelter. She wondered if Becker had walked out into the shelter. Would they find his body during their next search? Or had he stayed. Stayed simply because he'd rather have someone kill him rather than the storm.
Jess sighed and closed her eyes. Another tear slipping down her cheek. She reached up and wiped the tear from her face. She was done crying for him. Done. But it still hurt to see him like this. It hurt every time he pushed him from her. But it had hurt even more knowing how close he'd come to physically hurting her today. She'd lost him completely.
Jess inhaled raggedly as more tears fell. No! No more! She ran her hand over her face but the tears kept coming. She lowered her head and opened her eyes. She looked across her room to the small memorial.
A tainted water pipe dripped water from the walls. The water had changed the wall coloring. Beneath the water were small flowers than had somehow managed to bloom and survive. Jess had etched the names of her friends into the wall along with their birthdays.
Jess brushed back her hair and sighed. "God. I wish you guys were here with me. I don't know what to do about him anymore."
A sharp knock made Jess jump. She turned her head toward the door. Jess wiped her face free of tears and prayed her eyes wouldn't give her away. She rose from the ground and walked to the door. Jess grabbed the handle and slid the door enough to peek through. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Becker standing behind her door. She pulled the handle, closing the door on him.
"Jess!" Becker called. "Please open up."
"Why?" Jess asked.
"I came to apologize." Becker answered.
Jess nodded. "I can hear you just fine." She could hear him sigh through the door. She felt a slight vibration and wondered if he kicked it.
"I can't say I don't agree with your choice. After what…what I did and…almost did to you today." Becker said.
Jess folded her arms.
"Jess I am…so so sorry for everything." Becker said. "You were right, Jess. I've been acting selfishly for the past three years. I've been nothing but useless to you and everyone here. And if it hadn't been for you, I would be dead."
Jess lowered her head, looking down at the ground.
"I lost my best mates and I ignored the fact that…you did too." Becker continued. " And I ignored that…you're all I have left Jess."
New tears fell from her face.
"I don't blame you for giving up on me Jess. Frankly I'm surprise that you stayed by me this long." Becker swallowed. "I know you're disappointed in me. And I know the other's are too. So I…I just want to apologize for making these last three years hell for you."
Jess wiped her cheek.
"I'm sorry, Jess." He whispered. "I'm sorry for everything. And I'm sorry I hurt you today."
Jess spun around. She grabbed the handle and heaved the door open. Becker stepped from the door. Jess threw her arms around his neck. She buried her face into his shoulder. Her hands trembled as she held him. She felt his arms wrap around her back.
"I thought I'd lost you too." Jess whispered.
"I'm so sorry Jess." Becker said.
Jess released him. She gently grabbed his face. "Promise me…I won't lose you too."
Becker grabbed one of her hands and kissed it. "I promise. And if I break, just hit me."
Jess gasped out a small laugh. "God I'm sorry about that."
Becker leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to her forehead. "Don't be."
so...slightly happy-ish ending. what did you think? please don't complain about the ending. i didn't think i kiss at the end would really work with this story.