DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Wizards Of Waverly Place or its characters. Those rights belong to Disney and associates. I am NOT making any monetary profit from this.
A/N: Sorry for another late update. I have been dealing with so much lately. But I'm here now and I have the last, that's right, the last chapter to this story. It took me forever to get it right and as close to my standards as possible. I am sad this story has finally come to an end. It was one of the reasons I took my time to update. But every story has to come to an end because every author needs a break. I want to start on other story ideas I have but I didn't want to do so until this story was complete. I don't know whether there will be a sequel. I will confess that I do have ideas swimming in my head for one, but there are others that are swimming faster to the finish line. Those obviously want to be written first. ;) Anyway, hope you enjoy this last chapter! =)
Someone To Save Me
Elm Treigh
12.
"Hello? Ms. Libowics?" Carmen asked softly.
"She's not in right now. Would you like to leave a message?" Replied the secretary.
Just as Carmen was about to respond she heard Jesse's voice booming from the other side of the door. "CARMEN!" He yelled. "CARMEN, I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! OPEN THE DOOR!"
Carmen gasped. She couldn't believe it. Her brother found her? She stood frozen in place, the phone clutched tightly in her hand. She couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that her brother found her. That he took his time in searching for her using what ever means he came by. That he wanted to find her was the biggest shock.
"Quick! Let's get you out of here!" Max said, making his way to the stairs that would lead to the sandwich shop.
Alex quickly followed after him, but it was too late. Jesse had kicked the door down. Alex screamed and coward behind Max, who was at the tip of the stairs. Justin, in turn, tried pulling Carmen, to wake her from her fear, and take her to safety. But she wouldn't budge.
"Carmen, c'mon!" He urged. Still no response.
Dean stood in front of Carmen, blocking her from Jesse's view. He came to the conclusion that Carmen's frozen figure was due to the fact that Jesse had locked eyes with Carmen. Jesse held Carmen in a trance. Dean could see that plainly. He hoped that by breaking the eye connection, Carmen would come to her senses.
Jesse was almost met face to face with the familiar dark haired boy, Dean Moriarty. He stalked toward the boy, emanating a sense of warning and intimidation. Allowing him a chance to get out of his way before he made him. But Dean was determined to stand his ground. Fine.
Justin tried pulling Carmen's arm again, and was relieved that she finally reacted. She took a few steps backward, to join Max and Alex by the stairs, keeping her eyes on the back of Dean's head. She was afraid that if Dean wasn't in her sight that something horrible would happen.
"Justin! Carmen!" Max yelled. "Let's go! C'mon!" He grabbed his sister's hand firmly and pulled but she wouldn't budge. He let out a frustrated breath. "Alex, c'mon!" He insisted, but Alex shook her head.
"Not without Dean," She whispered.
Jesse was closing in on Dean. "Get out of my way," He growled.
"No," Dean responded, bracing himself for an attack.
"This has nothing to do with you, kid," Jesse tried again. "This is between me and my sister." Dean shook his head again. "Dean Moriarty. I remember you now. You're the kid that lived next door. You're the kid that tried to protect my little sister from all the bullies." Dean's fists clenched. "Last chance, Dean. Move!"
"No," Dean repeated. "Anyone that hurts Carmen has to deal with me."
"Suit yourself, kid," Jesse stated, smiling maliciously as he lunged toward Dean.
Dean managed to dodge Jesse's force but stumbled in doing so. Jesse took that as an opportunity and elbowed Dean roughly in the back.
"Dean!" Yelled Alex and Carmen together. Both tried to loosen their grasp from Max and Justin, but neither male were willing to put the girls in danger.
"Let me go , Max!" Alex yelled.
"No, Alex! C'mon! He'll be fine, let's go!" Max said desperately tugging and pulling as hard as he could.
Alex shook her head. "Dean," She choked out, tears blurring her vision.
Dean stood erect and turned to meet his opponent but Jesse punched him square in the face, causing Dean's head to fall backward and was next met with a knee to his abdomen as Jesse continued to beat him.
"Stop it! Jesse, please!" Begged Carmen as she continued to pull her arm away from Justin's firm grip. But it was useless. She turned to face him. "Please, Justin. We have to help him."
Justin nodded and pushed Carmen onto Max and Alex. "Take her downstairs."
"What're you―" Alex began.
"No, Justin!" Carmen said horrified.
Max took this opportunity to pull both girls with him, down the stairs as they were both momentarily distracted worrying over the two boys they cared about. The girls gave into Max's attempts and followed him down to the sandwich shop.
Justin wasn't sure what he could do to help. He's never been in a fight before and it wasn't as though he could use his magic to defend himself and Dean. Not while in their presence. What was he going to do? Jesse turned to see Justin was now in his way. He let out an irritated scream.
"Get out of my way!" He growled at Justin this time.
Justin shook his head, glancing around him, trying to find what he could use to defend himself against Jesse. Trying to figure out what he should do next. Jesse leered dangerously at him. He clenched his fists tightly and lunged at Justin, fists first, aiming at his face. But instead was met with the floor.
"What the―" He said confused.
It was Dean. He was now on top of Jesse, holding him down with all his strength. He looked up at Justin, his head throbbing, his vision blackening. He hadn't realized Jesse was so strong. He must be very determined to get to Carmen. Well, that wasn't going to happen. Not as long as he was around. Justin, in turn, could see blood flowing down Dean's chin from his nose and lip.
"What're you waiting for, Russo? Go after the girls and Max and make sure they're OK. I'll deal with Jesse," He grunted, faltering in his hold slightly.
"Like hell, you will!" Jesse spat and turned swiftly, knocking Dean off him in the process, and then kicked him harshly against the book shelf, causing a lamp to teeter to the edge. Dean noticed the lamp swaying and quickly put his arms over his head to protect himself from the impact of the falling lamp.
Jesse struggled to stand but Dean was not going to allow him that and tripped him again. Justin backed away from the two. He looked around. He caught sight of the bowl of fruit on the island. He shrugged. It was the only thing he could think of, and he ran to reach it. Dean was on top of Jesse again, straddling him, putting as much of his weight on him as possible.
"Get off me!" Jesse screamed as he wriggled and squirmed like a fish out of water, trying his best to free himself.
"Justin, go!" Dean repeated.
Justin shook his head as he approached Dean, the bowl of fruit in his hands. He lifted it above his head and let it drop on Jesse's head. Dean leaned back quickly so as not to hurt himself in the process. Jesse stopped thrashing around. Dean looked up at Justin and noticed his face pale with fear.
"C'mon we have to go," Dean said, crawling off of Jesse, standing, stumbled, and with Justin's help, limped toward the stairs.
"Did I kill him?" Justin asked nervously as he regarded Jesse's seemingly lifeless form.
Dean shook his head. "No. You just knocked him out. But he's tough, so let's get moving." He urged. Justin nodded.
The made their way down the spiral staircase, Dean leaning against Justin for support. When he leaned back to allow the fruit bowl to fall on Jesse he had accidentally bent his left ankle the wrong way. Justin, on the other hand, was too shocked at what he'd done. He's never been one to involve himself in any quarrels, magical or not. He would avoid all physical altercations at all costs. And yet he managed to knock out one person. He felt disappointed in himself to have gone that far.
They were just a few steps away in reaching Max and Alex and Carmen, when they heard an enraged huff from behind them.
"Justin!" Carmen yelled terrified.
"Dean!" Alex screamed also terrified.
Max, Alex, and Carmen watched horrified as the two boys fell down the flight of stairs.
Jesse had awaken and was on their trails quickly. He saw them struggling down the stairs and decided to help them on their journey. He supported himself on the railings, lifted himself up, and as Justin and Dean turned to look at him, he kicked them both with all his might. He felt a twinge of satisfaction watching the boys tumble the rest of their way down the stairs and continued down the three steps that led to the spiral staircase and hit the wall roughly. Justin slightly over Dean.
Carmen, Alex, and Max ran to help Justin and Dean. But Jesse took a strong hold of Carmen at that moment and did his best to drag her away from her friends.
"Jesse, no! Let me go!" Carmen said struggling to break free.
"You and your friends have caused me enough trouble Carmen," He seethed.
Carmen pulled, Jesse's grip tightened, and Carmen screamed, "Please!" She begged, and then gasped loudly as a chair broke behind Jesse.
Max had taken one of the chairs from the tables, and in his attempt to save Carmen, smashed the chair on Jesse's back with as much force as his tall, skinny figure could muster. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough and all that caused was to infuriate Jesse further.
Jesse still had a firm hold on Carmen, and hurled her across the floor. She hit a table that was nearby harshly, and covered her face with her arms as the chairs on the table fell over.
"Carmen!" Alex cried out, watching helplessly over at Carmen and Max put himself in danger. She stayed behind to care for her brother and Dean.
Carmen, however, was quickly knocked out as one of the legs of the chairs indeed fell and struck her hard on the head.
All of this went unnoticed by Max and Jesse. Max was backing away from Jesse. His plan was to lure him away from the other four. It had been working fine, until Alex cried out his name, distracting him from Jesse, giving Jesse an opening that he took gladly.
Jesse grabbed Max by the shoulders hard, lifted him up, and swung him around, throwing him over, back to where they were originally. Except he threw him straight toward Alex. Alex stood to try to catch Max's fall so he wouldn't hurt himself. But the impact was too strong and she fell backward; Max was right on top of her. She hit her head on the lower step.
Jesse was tired of these four teenagers. They were making things much more difficult for him. This was supposed to be simple. He was supposed to arrive at the Russo home, intimidate the three young boys with one dangerous glare, grab Carmen, and drag her away from them. He was going to later tie her to the backseat of his car, drive them away from New York to a secluded area, where he planned to have his way with her as he intended to, and then get rid of her. For good.
The kids, however, were not making that possible. They were taking up all his energy and distracting him from his original plan. Which also included making it seem as though Carmen escaped- er- ran away from his custody and had accidentally fallen down a hill of some sort, hit her head on something, maybe a sharp edged rock, and died instantly. He had no use for a sister. He probably never had but had not realized this until recently.
Carmen was coming to. She tried to see clearly. She noticed Jesse was huffing and puffing angrily and tiredly. There could be a chance for her to escape. Maybe if she grabbed Jesse's attention and ran away from him, then he'd follow her and her beloved friends would be alright. After she called the police to notify a fake burglary or something that is. Anything to get Jesse to leave her friends alone. They didn't deserve this. She should never have gone to them. She should never have involved them and put them in danger.
She tried to crawl away toward the entrance of the sub station. She didn't want to make any noise until she was right by the door, her hand on the handle, ready to bolt. But Jesse caught the movement from the corner of his eye. He screamed a blood-curdling, irritated cry and made his way to Carmen with heavy footsteps. His energy almost spent.
Carmen whimpered and cursed herself for not being as stealthy as she needed to be and backed away from Jesse; fear spread across her face. But Jesse didn't see fear on her face. He saw determined disobedience and the thought enraged him.
He pulled on Carmen's left foot, dragging her toward him as easily as though she were a rag doll. He continued this motion until Carmen was underneath him. Carmen squirmed, afraid that Jesse would decided to rape her then and there, but Jesse had long since lost his lustful appetite for his younger sister. All he cared about now was getting rid of the thorn in his side named Carmen Maria Santiago.
He sat on top of her, being sure to put all of his weight on her. His hands trembled as they closed around her neck. His huge hands seemingly wrapped around twice on Carmen's small delicate neck. It was probably one of the worst ways to die. But he didn't care as long as she was dead. She was the cause of everything that went wrong in his life. He will strangle her and like it.
Carmen put her hands over Jesse's, clawing at his hands, pulling on his vice-like grip. Her breathing already ragged. She flailed her legs this way and that, struggling desperately. Doing her best to buck Jesse off of her. But his strength was too much for her. She began to make gagging noises as it was beginning to be hard for her to breath. She could see the darkness clouding her vision. Her strength dissipating.
"Jes... se..." She whispered sadly, tears flowing.
The last thing she saw was a satisfied sneer coming from Jesse, someone yelling what sounded like an incantation in a foreign language, Jesse freeze up, his eyes darting around confused, and then fall on his side, wrapped in rope and three blurred figures standing a few feet away; their arms outstretched before them, clutching a thin object.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
They say that dying is easy, living is hard. What they don't say is that both can be painful. Both can be peaceful.
Can be.
One thing is for sure. Whoever said that must not have had anything or anyone to live for.
I do.
I have my parent's faith in me and in the person I am going to be. It is their love for who I was when they were still living that gave me life. It is the future of the person they would continue to love that gave me life. And even in their deaths, they gave me life. I live for my parents.
I have my friends support. The people who are an extension of who I am. The people that surround me; the kind of people I surround myself with, represent who I am and who I wish to be. The loyalty and love they showcase. The family I chose. My friends gave me life. I live for my friends.
I have love. The most important thing about living is love. The best thing about living is love. Love is what makes living so special. So great. To find it and keep it. There are so many different kinds of love, but it is all love. No matter what kind it is. Bottom line: Love is love. I have love. I have love for my parents, and for my friends. I love Justin Russo. I live for love. And now I live for Justin Russo.
I have so much to live for. Family, friends, dreams that I have yet to accomplish. So why am I still in the dark? Why am I wandering aimlessly? How do I get out? How do I find my way out? How do I find my way to everything I live for? How do I wake up?
I don't want to be here anymore. It's too dark. It's cold. It's lonely. I'm scared. I want to see Dean.
Dean.
I hope he's OK.
Dean has always been there for me. He's my oldest friend. He's an extension of me. He's my brother. My best friend. My first love. I love Dean Moriarty. He is my soul mate. I need to get back to him. I have to. I have to apologize to him.
I'm sorry Dean. I'm sorry I pushed you away, when all you were trying to do was what you always do and that is to look out for me and protect me. I'm sorry I wasn't willing to let you. I'm sorry I lied to you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you what Jesse was doing to me. I was afraid. I was afraid of what he would do. I was afraid of what you would do. I'm sorry I was a coward. I'm sorry I wasn't brave. I couldn't be.
Why couldn't things have been normal between Jesse and me? Why couldn't he let go of his hate for our parents? They still loved him. They cried for him every day and night. They prayed for him every morning and evening. They've even began to attend church again. They haven't done that since... I can't even remember. They loved you, Jesse. I loved you, Jesse.
Why would you hurt someone that loved you? Why would anyone hurt someone that loved them? Is it because they didn't feel they deserved it? Were they ashamed anyone would love them? That anyone could love them? Why would anyone harbor so much hate? Hate is such a horrible thing. It's deadly. Why? I don't understand.
"Car... men..."
Who's that? I can't see you. Where are you? Please don't leave me here. It's too dark. It's cold. I don't want to be cold anymore. I feel I've been cold for so long. My parent's death left me feeling so cold. And just as I was beginning to feel warm again the darkness swallows me up and I'm cold again. I don't want to be cold anymore.
I don't want to be here anymore. Where are you, whoever you are? Where are you, Justin? Dean? Max? Alex? Oh, Alex. I hope we can still be friends. I hope you've seen that I'm not interested in Dean the same way you are. I love him. With all my heart. But it isn't the same love you have for him. Either way, I'm sorry Alex.
What's going on? Why is it getting darker? Am I falling? Why am I falling? Where am I falling to? What's going on? Someone help me please! I'm scared!
"Carmen..."
You again! Where are you? Who are you? Help me, please! What is that?
"Carmen. Wake up."
I'm trying. Keep talking. I'll find you.
"Don't leave me. Please, Carmen. Wake up."
I'm coming. I won't leave you. I'm coming.
"Carmen. It's me. Justin. Please. Open your eyes. Don't die on me, Carmen. Carmen, please."
I'm not dying. I'm coming, Justin. Wait for me because I'm coming. I can hear you. I can hear you clearer. Keep talking. The darkness is going away. Is that light? Keep talking.
"Carmen."
Justin.
"There you are, Justin Russo," Carmen smiled as she fluttered her eyes open.
Justin gasped, feeling relieved Carmen was alright. He had been worried that perhaps he, Alex, and Max were too late in rescuing her.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Justin was the first to wake. He felt disoriented and sore. He turned on his right and saw Alex and Max laying near him. Their breathing seemingly low. He crawled swiftly toward them, hoping they were alright. He sighed when both Alex and Max slowly woke as soon as he reached them.
The the three Russo's sat up, taking their time to return to reality, and trying to find energy. Once they remembered where they were, they examined one other for any severe injuries. All relieved that each was alright, or at least will be. They heard someone gasping for air, and legs flailing.
"Carmen!" Max and Justin whispered.
"Dean!" Alex said crawling toward him. She knelt by him, examining him, checking for any abnormalities he may have received from the fight.
Max stood, pulling Justin up along with him for support. They pulled their wands out but it was Alex that said the first spell. She paralyzed Jesse in place and immediately went into the next spell with the help of her brothers. Ropes appeared and tied Jesse up. They saw him clunk harshly on his side.
Only seconds passed before Justin and Max rushed to Carmen's side. Max dragged Jesse's body away from the two, ignoring Jesse's bewildered glares. Alex stayed where she was. Huffing angrily. Justin knelt by Carmen, searching for any major damage. He began to panic when he noticed she wasn't breathing. He checked her pulse, and the panic shrank marginally, replaced with utter relief. She was still alive.
"What do we do now?" Max asked approaching Justin.
"We call the police," Justin stated simply. Max nodded and headed for the kitchen where the phone was. Justin scooted closer to Carmen. He laid Carmen's head gently on his lap, smoothing her hair down. She kissed the top of her head softly.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Tears welled in Justin's eyes. It had been close. He almost lost her. He was almost too late. It had been very close. But things are OK now. Carmen is finally awake and things would finally be alright. Peace after the storm. Finally there will be peace.
He stared into Carmen's eyes. She will be safe. She will be loved. What ever it was that was to happen next, all that mattered was that wherever she will be, she will be safe. He was determined to make it so.
Carmen lifted a trembling hand to Justin, and laid it on his cheek. Justin held it in place, leaning into the hand. She smiled at him. He smiled at her. Both glad that either person were fine, safe, and somewhat healthy. Carmen let out a sigh and then looked around to regard her surroundings.
"Where am I?" She asked.
"You're in the hospital," Justin answered.
"Hospital?" She wondered. A flurry of faces flashed before her eyes. "Alex! Max! Dean! Jesse!" She exclaimed, trying to sit up and leave to search for them.
Justin gently pushed her back down. "They're OK. Max just had a small bump on his said. So did Alex. Dean broke his ankle, and had a few cuts and bruises, but otherwise, he's fine," He answered her unexpressed questions.
"What about you?" She asked him anxiously, surveying his appearance.
Justin smiled. "I'm fine. I was a little sore, but I'm good."
"And Jesse?" She asked registering that he conveniently forgot to mention Jesse's welfare.
Justin frowned. "He's fine. He had a concussion, a few cuts and bruises, but he'll be alright."
"Good. I'm glad everyone's OK," She said sincerely. "So what happened? The last thing I remember was someone saying something, Jesse freeze up, and fall over tied up, and three people holding something."
Justin looked away nervously, then thought better of it, and looked straight at Carmen. "I'm not sure. Neither of us are sure what happened," He lied. "We all woke up. I saw you laying there, looking as though you weren't breathing, and I panicked. Alex stayed with Dean. Max was going to call the police but they showed up when he reached the phone." Carmen scrunched her face up, trying to recall the ambulance ride. "I called my Mom and Dad. Ms. Libowics showed up soon after. Do you realize you've been asleep for three days?"
Carmen's eyes widened. "I was... asleep? For three days?" Justin nodded. "I was in the dark, cold, scared, and alone for three days?"
"What?" Justin asked now confused.
Carmen shook her head. "Never mind."
"The doctors said you were going to be alright. You had a concussion and you lost a lot of blood. When you hit the table, remember?" Carmen nodded. "Don't worry. You'll be fine."
"Have you been here the whole time?"
"We all took turns. The first night it was me. Then Max in the morning. Alex in the afternoon. Dean the second night. Harper the next morning. Mom that afternoon. Dad that night, and me this morning."
"You guys are so sweet."
"We all care about you, Carmen. We all love you."
"You love me?" She asked surprised.
"Yes," Justin answered sincerely as he blushed.
Carmen blushed also, smiled, and said, "I love you too, Justin Russo."
Justin's heart elated. He leaned in and kissed Carmen. Carmen returned the kiss with as much warmth, kindness, and love as Justin was giving her. She hadn't felt this calm and peaceful and loved since the first night she slept in Justin's arms.
"Excuse me."
Carmen and Justin broke apart and gave their attention to the intruder. Carmen tensed as she recognized the intruder to be Ms. Libowics. She gave Justin's hand a squeeze and then whispered to him to please give him a moment alone with Ms. Libowics. Justin nodded, understanding it as the first step to healing, gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, and then left.
Ms. Libowics walked in further to the room. She stood at the foot of Carmen's bed, reviewing the young lady before her. She smiled tentatively at her. Carmen reciprocated with a small smile of her own.
"You should have called me sooner, Carmen," Ms. Libowics said sitting at the edge of the bed.
"I know. I'm sorry."
Ms. Libowics waved her hand in front of her dismissively. "What's done is done."
Carmen looked away. Tears already forming. Ms. Libowics stood, walked toward Carmen, and held her in her arms Carmen broke in her embrace. She felt ashamed under Ms. Libowics' scrutiny. She felt afraid of what was coming next. She sobbed her feelings all over Ms. Libowics' coat.
"Shh. It's alright, Carmen. I understand why you did it. I'm not angry or disappointed. I promise," Ms. Libowics attempted to soothe Carmen's shame.
Carmen pulled away from her, sniffled, and nodded. "What's going to happen to me now?"
The Social Worker sitting before her sighed, and answered, "Your Great Aunt has agreed to take you in."
"My Great Aunt? Which one?" She laughed as she remembered her enormous family.
Ms. Libowics chuckled. "Your Great Aunt Araceli."
Carmen saddened. Her Great Aunt Araceli. She lived in Spain. She'll be moving to Spain. She's going to leave everyone she loves because she was a minor. She briefly played with the idea of living on her own in New York. An emancipation. She was of age to request for an emancipation, wasn't she?
Ms. Libowics stared at the solemn exterior of Carmen Santiago. She could only guess at what she was thinking. Probably along the lines of either living with one of the friends that saved her life, the Russo's maybe, though she doubted the parents would accept that. The eldest boy was deeply infatuated with Carmen. They wouldn't want two hormonal teenagers living under the same roof. Or perhaps, living on her own. Which Carmen could possibly try to petition. But the odds of that are slim. Carmen was an exceptional citizen and an excellent student. But the judge would see she was much too young and inexperienced and will take into account the absences in school, and the abuse she endured. The odds were very slim.
She decided to put Carmen's worries to rest. "Your Great Aunt Araceli lives in―"
"Spain. I know," Carmen interrupted.
Ms. Libowics smiled at her. "No, Carmen. She recently moved to Bethany Beach, Delaware."
"What?" Carmen asked.
Ms. Libowics nodded. "She's decided to retire to Bethany Beach, Delaware. When I found out what was going on from my secretary, whom by the way, heard the gist of what was going on, while she was waiting for your response over the phone, I took the next flight to New York, immediately. The police and your friends filled me in on everything. Your brother will be going to prison for attempted murder. Since he was your legal guardian and since he failed to be a good one, I had to find you a replacement, should you decide to accept the choices I present to you, that is."
"You mean I get to choose?" She asked.
"I figured it was only fair that I give you a choice. Considering how much you've endured," She smiled.
"So my choices are mi Tia Abuela Araceli or Foster Care?"
"Pretty much. I'm sorry it's not a wider range of options."
"What about living with the Moriarty's?" Carmen suggested.
"The Moriarty's?"
"Yes. Dean Moriarty was my best friend when I was a little girl. He was my neighbor."
"I'll look into it. But the odds for that are just as slim as your odds for emancipation," Ms. Libowics confessed.
"I was eligible for emancipation?"
"You could petition for an emancipation. However, few are ever granted with one," Ms. Libowics answered honestly.
"Hmm..." Carmen said rethinking her choices.
She would have liked to live on her own. But Ms. Libowics was right and it could take a while for her to be granted that luxury. She doesn't want to live in Foster Care and she thought that living with Dean would be nice, but it wouldn't be the same. A new kind of can of worms could open if she stayed at the Moriarty home and she really didn't want to have to deal with that. She sighed. Bethany Beach, Delaware was her best bet. Here we go again.
"Alright. I've made my choice," She said.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
She set the last box of her belongings near her bed in her new room. She opened it and began putting them away. Organizing her figurines on the shelf by her bed. She smiled sadly at the thought of what the figurines used to represent. Her brother the way she knew him. The brother she loved when she was a child. That will be the way she will remember Jesse. As the loving older brother that surprised her with many gifts. The brother that protected her. The brother that loved her. The brother she loved dearly.
She finally finished with her room. She broke the box apart and folded it. She set it by the door, then turned to survey her room. She breathed in the air of the room. It smelled of lavender and vanilla and of all the assortment of bouquets of flowers surrounding the room that her Tia Abuela left for her.
She smiled. Her Tia Abuela was so sweet. She could tell she wanted Carmen to be comfortable, to feel safe and wanted and loved. It was in that moment that Carmen realized she made the right choice. It was a difficult decision to make, but she knew in the deepest recesses of her heart that she wasn't ready to live on her own, and she wouldn't want to be a burden to anyone other than her family. She was very fortunate that the family that have accepted her was her Tia Cheli. The crazy, out going, brutally honest, fun loving, and unorthodox Tia Cheli. She was very lucky.
"Carmen? Tienes hambre?" Called a husky female voice.
"No. Estoy bien," She answered.
"Quieres algo de tomar?" The voice tried again.
"No, gracias, Tia Cheli!" Carmen replied with a smile.
Her Tia Cheli was always trying to feed her. The first day her Aunt saw her she had screamed with joy, saying the usual things that every relative says: 'Look how much you've grown!', 'Oh! You're so beautiful!', 'How are you? Do you have a boyfriend? Tell me all about him!', and last but certainly not least: 'Oh my! Look at you! You're so thin! We'll have to fix that.' Carmen chuckled to herself. Her crazy Aunt Cheli.
A tall, slim woman with sandy brown hair, wearing a big smile on her face, and kind hazel-gray eyes, came into the room. She wore khaki overalls and a black shirt. Her hair was piled on her head in a messy bun. She stared at her petite grand niece. She placed her hands on her hips exasperatedly.
"You're not hungry. You're not thirsty. I can see you're done putting the finishing touches in your room as well as the duplex, which you've been working on for about three days now. Why don't you take a break and go out? Have some fun?" Cheli suggested.
Carmen smiled, "I'm not done. I still have to put my clothes away... properly." She looked at the pile of clothes on her bed, all sorted out, ready to be put away.
"Oh pooh! You can do that later, Carmencita. You've been working nonstop since we've moved in. Seriously. Go out and have some fun," Cheli insisted.
"Deberas, Tia Cheli. Estoy bien. And I'm not really ready to go out and have fun," Carmen also insisted.
Cheli crossed her arms in front of her. Eyebrows raised, she turned her head toward the entrance of Carmen's room, but maintaining her eyes on Carmen. She smiled and called out, "She won't budge! A little help here?"
Carmen smiled unsure, and tilted her head to the side, staring at her Aunt and at the door. "Who are you―" She began but then gasped and ran to the person who just entered excitedly. "Justin!" She yelled ramming herself on him.
Justin spread out his arms to receive Carmen. They hugged and held each other tightly. Carmen was about ready to cry with joy. Three days. She was three days apart from Justin Russo and she missed him terribly. As did Justin. He missed seeing Carmen's smile. He missed losing himself in her eyes. He missed holding her in his arms. Keeping in touch through phone calls, or though e-mails simply wasn't enough for him in those three days of separation. He needed his fix of Carmen.
"What are you―" But then she saw Dean standing behind Justin, smiling that signature crooked smile of his. She pulled away from Justin and ran towards Dean to give him a hug. Dean received Carmen in his arms and twirled her in the air as he always did, causing Carmen to giggle ecstatically.
"We thought you could use a break," He answered Carmen's question then put her gently down.
"We?" Carmen asked.
"Yes. Me and Max and Harper and Justin and Dean," answered Alex as she too came into view with a smile of her own. Max and Harper followed Alex's lead and also came into view. Both grinning at Carmen.
Carmen smiled widely. She was so glad she chose to live with her Great Aunt Araceli. And she was more than ecstatic her Great Aunt Araceli chose to move to New York so that Carmen could graduate from Tribeca prep.
After meeting the Russo's, Harper, and feeling reunited with Dean, who Cheli remembered when she visited Carmen's family in California, and after seeing the love the six teenagers showed for one another, Cheli decided it wouldn't be fair for her to take Carmen away from so much love. Especially with everything Carmen had endured.
Carmen smiled at everyone, tears in her eyes. She felt so happy. She was very happy. She definitely made the right choice.
A/N: OK. Well, there you have it! The last chapter. ='( I tried to leave an opening for a possible sequel. Not sure if I did a good job in that, but I at least tried, right?
Acknowledgement: I'd like to quickly give thanks to the people who have supported me in writing Someone To Save Me. Gracie05girl, my very first reviewer. I am very thankful for your reviews. And jarrett17566. Another faithful reviewer as well as a great friend. I appreciate your feedback and your Grammar Nazi ways. And lastly, I'd like to thank my friends: Sarah and Amee; who are always there for me and are behind me with every and any crazy thing I do. And my family: my mother; who is like my best friend, my sister Troublez; who's nickname says it all and who makes life interesting, and my youngest brother Tito (another nickname) who was the first to encourage me to sign up and post my stories in the first place. Without all of you great people behind me, I would probably not write at all. Thank you all!!