New Reason for Living

Chapter 18: What Really Matters

I sat at the cliff face where everything started. I looked out to see the sunset was out, just like it was on that day. I could clearly remember the events of the day everything changed; it was clear in my head. I looked down to see what was to be my fate at first.

"I guess like before, I don't have a choice. This is really the one way that I can be safe." I said as I looked down. The same words I said on that day ran through my head. I felt like this was the one choice I had to be safe; it was all I had left.

That was when I heard someone behind me. "Aaron?" I turned to see that it was Leanne. I was confused; I thought I wouldn't be able to see her again. "Leanne?" I asked, confused. Leanne smiled; she ran over to me and nuzzled up against me. "What are you doing here, Leanne?" I asked, confused by this.

"I came looking for you, Aaron. What were you thinking, leaving? Don't you understand how upset I was, realizing you were gone?" Leanne asked. I was surprised; I didn't think that Leanne would be that upset by the fact that I was gone.

"I had to, Leanne. I couldn't bear knowing that Blaze would make you upset by hurting me. So I'm doing this for your safety. I guess I was wrong in coming into your life in the first place." I explained and sighed, sadly. Leanne looked at me confused as I sat down to look out at the sunset. I was caught by surprise when Leanne sat down next to me; I was always like that.

"That's not true, Aaron." Leanne said. I looked over at her, wondering what she meant. "Before you came, I felt really lonely. I wanted someone to be with me not just to keep me company, but to know that I wasn't alone; that there was someone who was always there for me. When you came, you were the one, Aaron. So I want to ask; won't you please come home? I won't be the same without you." Leanne said. I couldn't believe I was hearing Leanne say that. But I shook my head; I couldn't go back with her.

"I can't, Leanne. I know what Blaze will do to me if I come back. So why should I when I know when I'm putting myself in danger?" I asked, looking away from Leanne upset. Leanne turned me to her so I looked over at her.

"Everything Blaze said wasn't true. I know Blaze well, and not everything he says is true. He was even like that we were little; it was what he enjoyed doing most." Leanne explained. I was shocked by this, by the fact that everything I heard from that argument wasn't true. And I left just because of believing that. I felt like such a fool for doing that.

"Leanne, I can't believe this. I left just because I heard something that wasn't true. I feel so terrible. I don't think you deserve someone like me; I end up making wrong decisions in the end." I sighed. Leanne was shocked; she couldn't believe what she was hearing from me.

"Aaron! I deserve you in every way. You're the one I was looking for my entire life. I don't care if we're both different; it doesn't matter to me. What matters is the fact that we both feel the same way about one another. Please don't say something like that; it isn't true." Leanne said. I still looked away sadly, unable to believe her. But there was something that was running through my head.

I can't give up on Leanne, not after everything we've been through. She's right; she does deserve me. She doesn't care that we're different, and neither should I!

With that, I turned to Leanne and brightly smiled. "Leanne, you're right. I guess I was wrong to think something like that; you do deserve me. And I deserve you as well." I said. Leanne smiled at this and tears built up in her eyes from her happiness.

"Aaron, I knew that what you were saying wasn't true! I love you so much!" Leanne beamed. I smiled hearing that, and knowing that I felt the same way about her as she felt about me.

"I love you too, Leanne. Sorry for scaring you." I smiled. With that, the two of us kissed. There was never a better feeling than knowing I should still be with Leanne and knowing that we both feel this way about each other. The way I saw it, this was the start of a new life together; a life where Leanne and I were with each other.