Better To Have Loved and Lost

(This is the Part Where...)

A/N: Good news, folks! I've decided that these short stories will continue on, for about as long as I'm interested. I was in fact trying to puzzle out a new Jackunzel story (hint: robots), but between loss of a computer and gain of a new one never really had time for that, which was what caused last week's hiccup. But you get this week's story a day early. Thank you for reading, and be sure to review!

Here you come. You're walking towards me, on your way to the first day of school – this is the part where you'd see me and give me that smile –

This is the part where you don't see me.

This the part where I turn my head to watch you go, while you scan the trees and sky looking for me. You won't see me.

There you go.

Maybe tonight, it'll dawn on you as to why. And then, I know you, you'll run outside and call for me, even if it's the middle of the night. You'll yell my name, and you'll beg me to show, to say good-bye, if nothing else.

I'll be there, my heart breaking because I'll be wrapped in silence and shadows, and I want to touch you but I would rather die than run my hands through you, like I'm mist. And you won't see me, no matter how hard you want to. Maybe I'll be able to give you some sign – even if it's just a breeze in your hair – that will have to be our good-bye.

There you go, down the street. Your head is bowed now, and I want so much to reach out to you and hold you, make you smile with the colors I paint on the world around you.

We always knew this wouldn't last. I'm a spirit, ageless and anchorless in the world. You're human, you're bound to eat and sleep, age and sicken. You're bound to love and be loved – and you are so lovable, my darling – you're bound to light up the world wherever you go. And I'm bound to only watch you, now.

I'm following you now, trailing behind you on the wind, and I'm going to keep my watch on you until you enter your school, that building that teaches you how to be an adult, the building that you said you hated, because it did its best to tear you away from me before you were ready. And yet you held on – no one else could have been so stubborn. No child has ever seen me as late into their teens as you have.

And you know what? I know that this childlike spirit of yours is what's going to make you into an amazing adult. You're going to touch and inspire so many people, and I wish that I could be there with you –

No. There's no use in wishing, now.

I won't ever forget you – I know that sounds like an easy thing to say, but I mean it. I promise. Our time together, and the love that we shared – that will forever be a part of me, and of you. Go ahead, and love other people – love as many people as you can – fall in love again, marry, have children, I want you to live as full a life as possible – just know that with every turn of the seasons, when the leaves spring up green and the flowers bloom again and the summer sun colors the world, know that that's my paintbrush. I'm painting for you, Jack Overland.

You're at school now. You're still looking for me. It's okay. Go ahead and listen to your friends. I want to see you smiling, and happy.

That's better.

There's the bell. When you enter the school I won't cry – I'm going to fly away and get to work. I have a lot of work to do, ushering out the summer properly. But until that last moment, I'm going to watch you. This last moment of protection for my friend who always swore he didn't need protection. You pause at the door – You look up –

Do you see me?

I won't ever know. You bow your head, and turn to start another day at school.

I love you with all of my heart, and then I turn away. It's still only a new day, and I've got lots to do.

This is the part where I say good-bye.

This is the part where I leave.