Stay

A/n: I'm so happy! Thanks a million and more for all the reviews, faves and follows! There's almost 100 follows, and all your reviews keep me going with the story. Hugs for everyone!

P.S. To anyone who's named Lauren, don't feel bad. I'm sure you're an amazing, beautiful person. She's just named after a really mean person.

P.P.S. This chapter gets kinda wild towards the end, so grab whatever's nearest to you and hold tight :)

Chapter 15

My parents must've been jailers in a past life or something. Cuz who would go to the extent of pulling me out of school and making me have lessons with a tutor who came to my house five days a week just because my boyfriend was found staying with me?

Answer: Dad and mom.

I hated. I hated them for all the pain they inflicted upon me. They looked at me like I was still hiding Jack under my bed. My car keys were confiscated, and it looked like I would be grounded forever. I couldn't go to school, which I was sure Jack was still attending. I couldn't possibly phone (bf/n) because mom took my SIM card away from my phone. They didn't even appear sorry. I thought my mom would at least say something apologetic, but she sided with dad on every freaking thing now. They acted like the drama never happened and carried on with their little lives, only letting me in them once in a while. I knew I wasn't supposed to feel that way towards them, but I'd lost my only life support thanks to them.

I missed him.

I missed him so much it felt like my insides were tearing apart every time I thought of him, namely every second. I only had the ice palominos and the pictures we took with my camera to remind me he was real, that we had actually happened. Guarding those two things became my obsession now. And wearing his hoodie.

The dark blue clothe I first knew him in was stashed in a corner of my closet. Jack must have forgot about it and left it lying there. I had wrapped my camera and the horses into it then stuffed them under a mattress in the dusty storeroom on the fourth floor. After my parents searched my room for anything suspicious, I ran upstairs and smuggled the bundle back in. The hoodie was full of Jack's winter scent. Every night, I would curl up in bed wearing it, trying to inhale in as much of it as possible and remembering all the fun times I had with him. Diablo and Buddy lay by my side, keeping me warm and on the edge of sanity. But nothing was ever the same.

None of the Guardians made any appearance since Jack went. I couldn't see Sandy flying past my window, and Bunnymund never popped up out of a hole in the ground into my room. Tooth and Santa never visited before. I felt more lonely than ever.

One night, about a week after the most depressing day of my life, I was lying in my bed, having bribed Ms Trish (the tutor, she wasn't half bad actually) to let me off earlier. The thought of Jack saying he'd…do me after we were married came rushing into my mind. My body felt funny and hungry and tired all at the same time. I sat up and balled up the covers in my fists. The thought that he would actually want to marry me now was just crazy. I figured I understood how drug addicts felt when they were suddenly put off their supply and started to have drawback symptoms. I was starting to feel plenty. Headaches, tiredness, and the constant nagging to either die or find a way to get back my drug. I would opt for the last one any day, but it felt so impossible that there wasn't any hope to try.

I walked to the window and stared at the moon. It shone back , provoking me. 'Where is Jack?' I said firmly, my eyes glued on the glowing yellow ball. 'Where is he? Where did you take him?!' I shouted into the still night. The naked branches of the huge tree by the house stirred with the breeze, and I swear I heard a sad sigh in my head. I went to grab a thick blanket and pillow and went back to the window sill. After some wiggling and twisting, I made myself comfortable in a blanket cocoon with Jack's hood over my head. I kissed the sleeves and imagined myself in his arms, cuddling and whispering secrets to each other before falling to sleep. I daydreamed for quite a while before exhaustion overtook me.

And that was my routine. Day, after day, after day. Waking up, changing, breakfast, tutoring, lunch, more tutoring, dinner then sleep. It was so boring I feared I'd become as boring as it. Ms Trish seemed to feel sorry for me and was so sweet and gentle I could bully her into letting me do anything so long as I finished my homework. Not that I wanted to take advantage of her kindness, but it was inevitable. Mom and dad were seldom home again, which was good.

Since I had no Internet access, I could only watch TV and play with the games on my phone. The two pooches were great de-stressing pals, but only to that much. Diablo seemed to miss Jack too, and he'd paw at the door and whine a few times a day while Buddy whimpered in my hands. 'Oh stop it you two,' I once said. It made me want to cry.

Two weeks, one month, then it was really spring. I started to think I was lucky to not go paranoid after being separated from Jack for this long. (bf/n) called my house phone a few times when my parents were away, and I was able to tell her what happened when Ms Trish was asleep at the kitchen table. She knew, though. Jack had turned up at school the day after the incident and almost the whole school knew what had happened. Trust (bf/n) to spread the story, I told myself. He kept dogging (bf/n) around, asking about me. When she said she didn't know why I didn't show up in school, he left after another week. No one could contact him. The way she told the story made me realize Jack didn't say anything about Cameron kissing me. I made (bf/n) swear to keep that a secret as tears rolled down my face, thinking of Jack and how he still cared. And everyone seemed to think he only had a sleepover here.

(bf/n) continued to say Lauren was looking smug and annoyingly triumphant after we both disappeared. Apparently there was no one to stop her from getting all the attention again. Cameron, as (bf/n) pointed out, didn't appear to have any change either. My blood boiled. He was another person responsible for tearing Jack away from me. And he didn't feel any remorse?! We both couldn't puzzle out why he'd kissed me and I had to put down the phone as Ms Trish yawned audibly and called for me. 'Take care of yourself,' (bf/n) said before I hung up.

Two nights later, the phone rang when my parents were in the living room. One of them picked it up and seconds later, I heard my father shout, 'She is not here, don't bother us anymore, kindly.' And he clicked the phone back into place. Footsteps came up the stairs and next second my dad was knocking my door. I rolled my eyes before unlocking it. My father stood there with his arms crossed. 'You are never to use the phone to communicate with anyone except us when we are outstation, got it?' I was about to say that I never did when he said, 'Oh it wasn't the boy, (f/n).' He said "the boy" as if Jack was a watermelon seed he was spitting out. 'It was that girl. Don't worry, she won't call again.' With that he walked away. I shut the door and shook my head. Why did she have to call tonight? I should've told her not to call me, that I would contact her when they weren't around.

Now I was really alone.

March came and gone. I wondered what had become of Jack now that winter was totally over. When Easter came, I watched the little kids from the neighbourhood run around the park, searching for Easter eggs. During my free time, I sat around reading and watching Buddy terrify the palominos by chasing them around the bed. My head feeling heavy, I leaned it against the wall and dozed off.

When I woke up, it took a while to stand as my body felt like it had just ran a triathlon, probably because I fell asleep on the floor. When I turned towards my study table, a colourful basket caught my eye. Walking over, I knew Bunnymund had made a visit. The basket was full to the brim of chocolate bunnies, gorgeous Easter eggs, and multicolour sweets I never seen before. On the floor beside the table, a little flower was planted in the carpet. 'Happy Easter, Bunny,' I whispered as I unwrapped a milk chocolate bunny, admiring it before taking a bite. A tiny note flew out from the basket. I caught it and read: (f/n), Jack is safe. I can't take any messages for him. Hope you're okay. He says he loves you. Happy Easter. Bunny.

I was grinning wider than the Cheshire Cat. My fingers smoothed the part of paper on which Jack's name was printed in Bunny's swirly writing. He said to wait for him, but I've been waiting for months. What did he really mean? I shook my head. I couldn't risk sneaking out of the house to look for Jack; my dad could've paid the police to catch me if they saw me out in the streets.

After April passed, I was getting very restless. A few times I considered climbing down the tree, or breaking outside and catching a taxi to (bf/n)'s. But all those months of imprisonment had drained me of the will to find Jack, though my heart never missed him less. Then the opportunity came.

It was the Thursday of the third week of April. I had just shut the door on Ms Trish's back when the phone rang. I rushed to pick it up. 'Hello, may I please speak to (f/n)?' Cameron. The nerve of him, I scowled, but my heart still leaped to know that the outside world hadn't vanished into nothing during my disappearance from it. 'What?' I snapped, not having forgotten the dreaded kiss. '(f/n), I'm really sorry for what happened, okay? I don't know what came over me,' he said. I scoffed. 'So you call me months after my life was ruined to tell me this?' My voice rose. 'I actually wanted to apologize, and invite you to a party.' My eyes widened. He must've been joking. 'April Fools' is over, Cameron,' I spat. He sighed. 'I'm not playing around. Listen, there's this party at the Winding Pub, it's to celebrate our last end-of-term exam before graduation. You're still in our name list. Are you in?'

My finger twirled the phone line while I bit my lip. 'Would Jack be there?' I asked hopefully. 'I can't be sure of that,' he said in a flat tone. My hope bubble deflated just a bit. 'But I'm grounded.' '(f/n) are you going to be a goody-two-shoes all your life?' Ouch, that stung. But it was real. I had abided by my parents forever, only until recently. I weighed my options. Of course, this was the guy who broke my first relationship, but staying here was getting unbearable, and I wanted to have fun. Who knows, I might see Jack there and we could work out a plan.

'Pick me up at seven.' I said firmly. Cameron whistled at the other end. 'Someone's getting naughty, eh?' I rolled my eyes. 'Just don't park at the front gate. My parents might see you.' I could hear the smirk in his voice as he agreed and bid me goodnight. I stayed like that, the phone still pressed to my ear until I got startled by the ringing sound it made whenever it wasn't put back properly. I knew dad would never let me go out, even if it was with 'that nice boy Cameron' as he used to call him. Whatever, I thought while rolling my eyes. Either I die having fun or die of boredom.

Saturday rolled around quickly now that I had something to look forward to. I had everything figured out. Mom and dad hovered around when I did my lessons, and didn't go anywhere until night time. My heart started to panic. Would I be able to do this? At six, Ms Trish packed up her things and I zoomed upstairs after saying goodbye. I only had one precious hour before my ride came to take me to my one chance of seeing Jack. I took a bath then put on my prettiest black cocktail dress, brushed my hair and put on some simple make-up. The cool spring breeze made the edges of my skirt flutter. Then it hit me.

How was I going to climb down a tree in a cocktail dress?!

Yeah that was my plan. I didn't plan everything really good; I was so caught up in the prospect of maybe seeing Jack. I looked out at the huge tree beside my window. Its branches were large and stable, but I had never climbed down it before. Glancing at the clock, I still had fifteen minutes. It had to be done. Taking my heels, I stuffed them into my handbag and gritted my teeth as I stood on the windowsill. It was starting to get dark. My foot found the nearest branch and I bit my lip as I grasped large leaves with my hands. Love makes people do strange things, I thought as I made my way slowly but surely down the tree. It was actually very easy to climb even when wearing a dress. At the lowest branch, I leapt down the last six feet and landed on the ground, feeling a bit dazed. I brushed myself down and looked towards the house. 'Sorry mom and dad,' I whispered as I took out the heels and put them on. Car lights were shining at the corner of the road. I walked towards it. Cameron got out of the car, wearing a grey suit, and opened the passenger seat door, holding it for me. 'Hey, (f/n). So tell me, how did you sneak out?' he grinned. I nodded at him in greeting. 'Don't ask, just be glad I'm here.' I smiled at him and got into the car. He walked around it and slid in beside me. Surprisingly, he didn't say anything during the long drive to the pub. I wished he would talk, I was afraid he would hear my heart drumming away on high speed.

We pulled up on the parking lot outside the pub when I remembered something. 'Where's Lauren?' I asked. Cameron pursed his lips and looked out his window. 'She may have come with her girlfriends. We broke up.' I raised my eyebrows, but his tone kept me from asking further. Sighing, he got out and came over to open my car door before I could do it myself. I stepped out tentatively. I heard the beat of music echoing from the doors of the pub. This was one of the classiest pubs in town, renting it would clean anyone's wallet out. A few people were hanging around outside, and they came over to Cameron. I kept craning my head around for a glimpse of familiar brown hair. In the distance, I saw someone who looked like Jack. About to walk over, I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. 'Get inside, (f/n). It's getting dark, we can't have anyone getting hurt here.' He gestured to a few dangerous looking men walking dizzily across the parking lot with broken beer bottles in their hands. I looked at my outfit and understood. 'But I thought I saw—' Cameron cut in. 'Jack's not coming, (f/n). He told Troy here.' At this he turned to a tall blonde boy who hurriedly nodded his head. 'Sorry, (f/n).' Troy looked at me apologetically.

I was confused. "But I did see him.' I turned to look at where I thought I saw Jack, but there was no one there. He could've gone to some other place when my back was turned. Cameron gently pushed me towards the pub entrance. I glanced at the other boys' faces. Why were they all looking at me like I was a wounded puppy who couldn't be saved? Cameron gave a small cough and turned to talk to them while I went inside. The smell of alcohol hit my nose as I stepped in. People's heads turned when they saw me before engaging in whispered conversations. I guessed it was because of me and Jack's sudden disappearance from school. I looked around for (bf/n), and sure enough, she was standing by the bar looking exceptionally worried. I walked over to her. She saw me before I reached her and ran over to hug me. 'Oh (f/n) I've missed you so much, I was so frightened when your dad picked up the phone, I thought something happened to you…' I hugged her back tightly and listened patiently as she told me how lonely she was, and about the time Cameron started recruiting back people who were in Jack's gang, and how the girls have kept pestering her about where Jack and I had gone, and about the time Lauren kept torturing and bullying her because she was in a bad temper from her break-up with Cameron.

I was very angry at Lauren, but nothing would distract me from trying to find Jack. 'Where is he?' I whispered to (bf/n), trying to act normal in front of so many pairs of eyes staring at us. (bf/n) hastily shook her head. 'They say he was going to come, but I don't know where he is.' She looked at me sadly then put on a scowl almost immediately. 'What—' I turned to find Cameron at my shoulder. 'I'm sorry, (bf/n), but I'd like to borrow (f/n) for a while. (bf/n) rolled her eyes dramatically and patted my shoulder before leaning in to whisper, 'Keep your eyes peeled.' She threw a livid glance at Cameron before marching away.

He chuckled amusingly before leading me towards the dance floor. 'Um, I don't dance much, Cameron.' I blushed slightly. He smiled as my heels tapped on the smooth dance floor. As he slid an arm around my waist, I felt a voice screaming in my head that this was all wrong. It should be Jack dancing with me now. But with every second that passed, my heart dropped further and further when Jack didn't show up. Hope was seeping away as I slow-danced with Cameron, who was all the time looking at me with his eyebrows knitted together. 'You seem preoccupied, (f/n). Is it about Jack?' he asked. For some reason I didn't want to talk to him about it. I faked a smile and acted like I hadn't heard. 'What's that?' I raised an eyebrow at him. He shook his head, and we exchanged polite news on what had been happening at school.

The song ended, and Troy came up and asked for a dance. Cameron let him, saying he needed to 'settle some things.' Troy took my hand and I smiled at him. He was my partner in Social Studies class, and quite easy to talk to. 'Why did you leave so suddenly? I had to pair up with Junie.' He gave a shiver. I laughed at the thought. Junie was a girl who loved Goth culture and talked in a creepy drawl. 'Sorry, Troy. You could make friends with her though.' He snorted, his blonde locks glinting in the shady lights coming from above. He proceeded to talk about who organized this party and who was invited when I heard him say Jack. 'You mean he was invited? Where is he?' I almost shouted desperately. Troy looked like he'd spilled a very important secret. 'Come on, Troy. You were his friend. You must know,' I begged. He looked around warily, then bent towards me. 'I can't say much, (f/n). Cameron's got spies all around. He's-' But what he was I never knew. Troy stopped as Cameron and another girl, Sheena I think, walked over to us. '(f/n), how's about a game?' Sheena grabbed my hand and whirled me away. I caught Cameron giving Troy a deadly look before he followed us.

The red headed girl clutching my arm was one of Lauren's girlfriends, but I didn't see any sign of Cameron's ex since I came here. We never talked before, and it felt strange that she was acting so friendly when she was one of the girls who glared at me as I walked by her gang at the mall with Jack. She led me up the stairs into a large, secluded private room, usually used for secret meetings. There were some other people from the 'cool and popular' group there, and they all looked up to watch me enter. I felt very nervous. I had never spoken to these people before, let alone 'play games' with them. Cameron came in behind me and closed the door on us. 'Have a pizza slice, (f/n)?' One short girl with neon-purple highlights in her fringe handed me a box with half a pizza in it. It looked delicious. I didn't have anything to eat since I sneaked out of the house. Taking a slice, I handed the box back to her. All of them were staring at me. 'Go on, eat it,' Allie the purple-haired said, gazing at me out of her green contact lenses that made her eyes look eerily big.

I tentatively took a small bite. It tasted really good with the cheese and pineapple, but there was something I didn't think I had ever tasted in pizza before. Everyone was grinning or nodding their heads at me. I was so hungry I finished it in three bites, and heard cheering coming from everyone. I smiled while doing my best to ignore the funny feeling I had after the last mouthful of pizza. My head felt like it was starting to float. 'How're you feeling?' Allie asked me. 'A little dizzy,' I breathed. Some people were laughing at me. Allie hushed them, then turned to me and said something like 'it's like that at first, don't worry'. Then she stashed the box underneath a table. 'Pass me a bottle, Dre,' she shouted to a lanky black guy with cornrow braids at the corner. He gave her an empty dark green bottle that reeked of alcohol. 'You're playing with us, (f/n),' she cooed at me, patting a comfy armchair beside her. I plopped down and watched, thoughts of Jack slowly drifting across my mind and disappearing.

Allie spun the bottle and it stopped with its tip pointed towards Sheena. Some people whooped as she grinned. 'Dare,' she said. So that was what they were playing, Spin The Bottle plus Truth Or Dare. Allie looked around and pointed at a hot guy named Xayn who was watching Sheena. 'Give him a hard-on,' she said to the redhead. It was well known Xayn was a hard guy to please, in any way. 'Pfft, that's easy,' she said before walking over to Xayn. I watched as she pulled him roughly towards her, her hands slipping inside his pants to a chorus of shouting and cheers. Something made my head duck, and I sat with my head in my hands listening to the sounds Sheena was making. It made my hair stand on end. I felt it was safe to look up when I heard Sheena talk in her chair opposite me, and lifted my head to see Xayn red faced and zipping up his pants. People were applauding her and telling Allie to spin the bottle again. This was getting out of hand, I heard the voice tell me again. But I couldn't possibly pull out now, something inside me wanted to feel 'in' with them. I'd been an outcast all my life, why would I give up the opportunity to finally be with the popular group?

The bottle spun again, pointing towards Cameron this time. He smirked and stepped forward. 'Truth,' he smirked. Allie, who was clearly the leader of this game, tapped her chin in search of a good question. 'Who, in this room, would you like to fuck?' Someone gave a whistle. I winced a little at the way she said it and looked to Cameron to see his eyes directed towards me. People around followed his gaze. It took a while for me to register that his answer was me. Shivers crawled up my spine as I sat there like a cornered prey; everyone was looking at me either in shock or amusement. 'Do you want to do it, (f/n)?' Allie said a little too warmly. Cameron answered for me before I could open my mouth. 'Nah, she won't. She's saving herself for Frosty.' A few people laughed and giggled. Even in my dumb sickly state, I knew he meant Jack. 'Don't call him that,' I said defiantly. A few people clapped their hands. Cameron shrugged like he didn't care. 'Still hung up on Jack, eh (f/n)?' Sheena said tauntingly. Allie glanced at me haughtily and spun the bottle again.

It was me. I looked around trying to act like this happened to me all the time. Allie pouted her lips and considered me. 'Dare,' I said. She gave me an encouraging smile. 'Something simple for the first-timer…drink this, then,' she said while pouring a glass of alcohol for me. 'She can't do it, Allie,' someone said from another corner. I stood up. The funny feeling was getting worse. 'Of course I can.' I took over the glass of golden-ish liquid and held it up to my lips when loud knocks sounded from the door. 'I'll take care of this,' Cameron said as he went to open the door. In the few moments between him opening the door and going out, I caught a glimpse of two brown eyes, a flash of brown hair—

Allie and Dre caught my arms as I made for the door, making some alcohol splash onto the carpeted floor. 'It's Jack! He's here! I need to see him!' I strained against both their grasps. Allie was shouting, 'that's not Jack, (f/n)! You're seeing things!' I stopped struggling because her nails were digging into my flesh. 'What do you mean I was seeing things?' I whirled back at her. For a moment, she looked scared. Then her face turned into a frown, like I was a little kid who wouldn't listen to her momma. 'Jack isn't here, (f/n). You're hallucinating.' My mind travelled back to the pizza. There were little flecks of green there...

'You drugged me.' I said. Some people were looking at me uneasily. Allie was staring like I should have noticed it a long time ago. 'Uh, duh. It was limited, you know. You're lucky we offered you a piece. I sat back down again. They had made me take weed, and I didn't even notice. But I was sure I saw him, and he was not a hallucination. He was looking straight at me, his beautiful eyes in deep pain…

An awkward silence filled the room. Without thinking, I tipped the glass up and swallowed the remaining drink. It scalded my throat, but the hurting image of Jack was swept from my mind. Allie patted my back as people cheered me on. I took drink after drink, and between glasses saw Cameron come back in. He took a glass and drank too. Soon I was slurring and somehow found myself in some guy's arms, banging the table to some loud music playing from a boom box. My head was spinning, and I had to run to the bathroom leading off from the room more than once. People I never made eye contact with at school began asking me some mean, hateful questions about Jack, and I answered all of them, tears starting to run down my face for a reason I couldn't understand. One thought kept presenting itself in my mind as I partied away: I was betraying Jack. He would never want me to hurt myself, but what did it matter now? He wouldn't want me back once he saw me in this state, with my messy make-up and ruffled outfit. My parents wouldn't even acknowledge me as their daughter. I was just gonna party until I died.

Finally Cameron lifted me up from the floor and called my name. I must've passed out or fallen asleep there. 'We're going home,' he said as he dragged me out. People were passed out on chairs and sofas, the boom box banging away. Allie was slumped on the floor, her hair a real mess. I almost rolled down the stairs when we got there. As we walked out, more people came into view, still dancing or drinking at the bar. (bf/n) was nowhere to be seen. My vision blurred and I threw up on the floor again. 'Oh (f/n),' Cameron sighed as he apologized to a man standing by the door. I stumbled out of the wretched pub. Cameron half carried me to his car and opened the door for me. I slumped into the seat and my eyes focused to see Cameron bend down in front of the car then come up. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve then got in beside me. 'You drank too.' I pointed at him as he slammed the key in and revved the engine. 'Look at yourself,' he said before backing out. This wasn't right, a person who just drank was driving me home. Cameron drove past the pub front to turn out into the main street when I saw someone thumping on my window beside me.

I squinted to look at him. He was immensely handsome, tall and skinny with a mop of brown hair. He was dressed in a black button-up shirt and jeans. I heard my name being shouted as he ran alongside the car. Cameron sped up and we zoomed out into the deserted main street. The clock in the dashboard said it was 1.00 a.m. I looked back to see the boy becoming smaller and smaller as we drove away.

'I think I know that guy,' I drawled sleepily. Cameron laughed. 'Of course you don't, (f/n).' He swerved about, changing lanes every minute. I looked out the window to see streetlamps dashing past. He must be driving at least 100 mph. 'Where're we going, Cam?' I looked over at him. He seemed to be struggling to keep his eyes open and kept glancing at the side-mirror. I looked back to see an old-fashioned convertible tailing us closely. 'I'm sending you home.' He said. 'But I don't wanna go home, Cammie.' The alcohol was kicking in again. My head swimmed as I heard Cameron laugh again, almost sounding hysterical.

We turned around a bend onto a lane on the complete other side of town from the Winding Pub. The car behind was still tailing us. Huge trees loomed up on either side as we sped on for miles. Beside me, Cameron's head kept dipping. The car swerved dangerously, and adrenaline started pumping through my veins. I suddenly realized the tall boy outside the pub was Jack. I remembered our first kiss, and that he told me he would love me and only me. That I had failed him. And myself.

All this I thought the second before we crashed into the tree.

Jack

My worst fear happened before my eyes. The car in front kissed the tree with a loud sickening crunch before erupting into flames. I couldn't hear myself scream with horror as I slammed on the brake, the convertible skidding for a full ten feet before it stopped, horizontal in the middle of the road. I kicked the door open and ran/flew to where she was laying, thrown out of the car. She was lying on the grassy ground, and after checking that she wasn't bleeding, I ran to the other side of the car. The flames were licking their way up fast. Cameron was unconscious, buckled into his seat. A glance at the whole picture was enough to tell the car wasn't salvageable. I forced the buckle open and willed my tired body to drag him out. I didn't dare to move him any farther; he might have broken a bone or something. But he was safe from the flames, for now.

I ran back to (f/n), which had her hair splayed out on the ground. Her face looked wasted and sick, and her dress was hitched up way higher than I had ever seen her like. Looking away, I smoothed it down and took out my phone to dial emergency. My voice shook as I told the woman about my situation, all the while staring at (f/n). The woman had to call me three times to get my attention back as I was rubbing away the runny mascara on (f/n)'s cheeks. She sounded annoyed as she asked me, 'Sir, is this a prank call? If it is I have already taken down your number to file a report.' I shook my head, 'No miss.'

After I hung up, I sat down and gently pulled (f/n)'s head onto my lap. The fire seemed to be slowly dying, though the air around was still a bit hazy. She was still breathing, but I could feel life draining out of her as I waited for the ambulance. I found myself talking to her, running her messy hair through my trembling fingers as I whispered how everything was going to be alright. She couldn't die, I wouldn't let it happen. Even if Manny made her a Guardian, it would take years and years for her to know who she really was, and what if she didn't fall in love with me?

She suddenly stirred. Then her eyelids opened to reveal two (e/c), bloodshot eyes staring at me. The firelight from the car illuminated her face, so white and pale I felt myself shiver a bit. I thought my heart would jump out of my chest. We were finally together after so, so long. 'Jack?' I heard her whisper, her lips barely moving. I held her face in my hands. 'I'm here, (f/n). Don't worry. Everything's gonna be fine, okay?' I bit hard on the side of my cheek to stop myself from crying. She was struggling to breathe. She whispered something I couldn't hear. Bending lower, I felt my stomach knot as she murmured, 'I'm sorry, Jack.' My palms felt wet as two tears trickled from her eyes into my hands. She looked like she really wanted to keep them open, but they kept shutting as she forced them open again, her gaze fixed on me the whole time.

I had to say something, to keep her eyes open. '(f/n), don't say that. I should be sorry, if I'd just controlled myself and listened to you, your parents wouldn't have seen me walking back. I could have changed so much. You wouldn't have to suffer like this.' Her lips curled up into a weak smile as her hand groped about for mine. I took her hand and held it tightly against my chest. Her eyes were gonna close again. 'No (f/n) don't go! I love you so much you can't leave me like this!' I said loudly, startling whatever was in the trees above head. I heard her say, quite distinctly over the birds rustling in the leaves, 'I love you too Jack.' Then her eyes closed for real.