Chapter 6

Aaron lay on his bed, letting tears engulf his body. He closed his eyes as he thought back to that day. The day he tried so hard to forget about, the day Jackson left a black hole in his life.

*~*~* Flashback - January 2011 - Smithy Cottage

"Aaron, Can I talk to you for a minute?" Jackson asked

"Yeah sure what's up mate?" Aaron asked, muting the TV

"Just promise me you aren't going to kick off?"

"What's wrong, Jackson?" Aaron asked, a slight panic in his voice

"You know Mum was saying that she is going back to her travelling? Well, I wanna go with her."

"You're leaving me?" Aaron asked, tears already filling his eyes

"This isn't what you signed up for Aaron." Jackson replied, gesturing to the wheelchair.

"I don't care! You can't leave me Jay."

"Aaron, please don't cry."

"How can you expect me not to? Jackson after everything we've been through you're just gonna give up on me? Just like that? I know I'm not perfect Jackson, But I'd do anything to make you stay!"

"There's nothing you can do Aaron, My mind's made up. Me and Mum are leaving. I've already talked with her about it. We're leaving tonight."

"No! Jackson please! Don't do this! I love you!"

"I know, and I love you. And It's because I love you I'm doing this. The thought of you being my carer…it's just too much. I'm doing this for you, Aaron, To save you."

"I don't need saving Jackson! I need you!"

"Aaron…."

Hazel walked into the room at that point, and saw the state Aaron was in, he looked at her through teary, pleading eyes.

"Don't take him away from Hazel! I'm begging you. Please don't take him away!"

"I'm sorry Aaron. It's what Jackson wants."

"What about what I want?"

"It's not about what you want Aaron." Jackson replied "You'll realise one day that this is for the best. I don't want to leave you Aaron, and I love you unconditionally with all my heart,, and I always will, but this….It's too much. It's too much for you."

"I can handle it Jackson! Stop treating me like i'm an idiot! Like i'm incapable to look after you! You promised me we'd be ok!"

"I'm sorry Aaron. It's over."

"Please Don't leave me Jackson. I'd do anything, I swear I'd do anything…" Aaron sobbed, hysterically

"Just keep safe ok? Promise me you aren't going to do anything stupid. I know you're hurting Aaron but this is for the best. I'm putting you first babe."

"Jackson…"

"There's nothing you can do Aaron. Nothing. I'm going."

*~*~* End Flashback

Aaron was still laying on his bed. He moved his hand down to his neck, and located the silver necklace underneath his black jumper. The necklace Jackson had given him for his birthday. He'd never taken it off since he'd got it. He felt closer to Jackson, felt as if he was still laying in the bed with him, where he should be. He missed him. Missed his touch, his scent, missed his smile, his eyes. Aaron knew Paddy was right. He wasn't over Jackson. He shook his head, desperate to get the thoughts out as they flooded him once again.

*~*~* Flashback

The sound of a car's horn outside made Aaron's stomach churn. He looked out of his bedroom window, to see Hazel and Paddy loading their luggage into the back seat. He knew there was nothing he could do now, but it didn't stop him racing out of his bedroom and downstairs.

"Jackson…"

"Aaron, I'm going, ok?"

Aaron nodded "I know. I just….I wanna say, one more time, that I love you. And as much as it's hurting me, if this is what you want, I'm not gonna stop you."

"Thank you Aaron. Just remember ok, It's because I love you I'm doing this. I'm protecting you Aaron. I only want what's best for you and this is it. You know that too."

"I'm going to miss you, so, so much Jackson, You have no idea."

"I know. Now you gotta promise me one thing Aaron. I don't want you sitting around the house, moping. Get out there, live your life, meet someone. Make them as happy as you've made me."

"Till I fuck that up aswell." Aaron sniffed, moving in to hug Jackson.

"How many times Aaron? What happened was not your fault."

"No matter how many times you tell me Jay, I'll always think it's my fault. I can't go out there and live my life, knowing I've wrecked yours. I broke you Jay. And I can't fix you. There's not a thing on this earth I wouldn't do if it meant you could walk again, If it meant I could go back to that night and stop you from driving away. I've broken you and I'm so sorry. I'd give my life away Jackson if it meant I could fix yours."

"Aaron, I've got to go."

"Please don't go…"

"I have to, Aaron." Jackson replied, wheeling himself out of Smithy Cottage for the last time. "Goodbye, Aaron. I love you."

"No…Jackson please!" Aaron yelled, as Hazel and Paddy helped Jackson get into the car.

Hazel looked at Aaron, and approached the sobbing teen "Keep safe Aaron."

Aaron nodded his head and wiped his eyes "Please Hazel..."

"He'll be ok Aaron." Hazel smiled, giving him a hug and approaching the car. She climbed in and the driver started the engine. Aaron couldn't stop himself, he desperately chased after the taxi, a desperate attempt to stop Jackson from leaving his life.

"JACKSON! JACKSON I LOVE YOU! DON'T GO! PLEASE!" Aaron sobbed. He saw the taxi and Jackson slowly disappear out of sight, and turn the corner out of Emmerdale and out of his life.

*~*~* End flashback

Aaron continued to sob quietly into his pillow as the dark reality of what happened six months ago came flooding out. Jackson broke his heart, and no matter how hard he cried, how many words he could say or how much he wished that fateful night had never happened, Jackson wasn't coming back.

TBC