Set Free

Set Free Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

It was the last class last of the day on the Friday after I'd went to see Nick, and I was counting down the minutes until I could go to the beach. I glanced nervously at the clock for the umpteenth time, nearly shaking in my seat.

"Don't worry, he'll be there. He loves you." Abigail said from the seat beside me.

"I hope you're right." I said. I was such a mess right now.

"Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!" Just then the bell rang, and I quickly gathered uo my things. I skipped going to my locker, and instead I just ran for my car, all my heavy books in tow.

I couldn't care less about the speed limit, I raced past the cars around me, only caring about one thing. It was as if by not being there as soon as was humanly possible, I would be missing out on something. Another moment here on the road, was another fleeting moment of my life that I could be spending with Nick.

When I finally reached the beach, Nick was nowhere in sight. I sat down on the shore, waiting, waiting. It felt like an endless forever that would never end.

But then I saw him coming towards me from far off, smiling widely. And for a second I thought I saw Anna, walking beside him, smiling a smile that looked just like his....but then I blinked and she was gone. Wait....Anna....she....oh my goodness.....Anna was Nick's sister! It was her all along, leading me to Nick! And she was...an angel...the answer to my prayer. So THAT'S why she'd told me to thank God...and why she had done things that seemed inhuman. So....did that mean Anna was dead? I knew it seemed bad, but I decided to worry about that later.

My heart beating wildly, I ran to him across the sand at full speed. When I finally reached him, I leapt at him, and we sunk down together on the sand. His smiling brown eyes looked down on me, and I stared back in complete and utter joy.

"I'm so glad you're really here." he said to me.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, puzzled.

"Well, the only reason I thought you'd be here....was that I had a dream last Saturday night while I was in the hospital that you came to see me....and you told me you loved me....and that if I lived I was to meet you here."

I smiled playfully at him. "That really happened, silly."

"It did?" He asked disbelievingly.

I nodded in reply.

"So....you love me?" He smiled at the words.

I nodded once again, and he leaned down to kiss me, but I put a finger to his lips. I frowned slightly as I spoke. "I have to tell you something first..."

"What is it, darling?" Nick asked, a worried look coming over his face.

"In the hospital...the other day...was I the only person you saw in your 'dream'?"

"Well....actually....now that you say so....no. Anna, my sister, was there, too."

"She led me to you. I had no idea which room you were in."

"Wait....so she's alive?!?" He cried in joy.

I shook my head sadly and his face fell. "She....she was an angel, Nick."

A single tear traced down his cheek, and I reached up a finger to wipe it away. "I'm sorry." I told him as I hugged him to me tightly.

"I'm glad....she's alright...and with God." He said. I smiled into his neck. So optimistic, as always.

He pulled away from me slightly. "Amber, my time to mourn for her is over. It's time for me to be happy that you're with me now. I have to take advantage of the fact that you gave me a second chance."

"Hey, listen," I cupped my hand around his cheek. "I don't care if you lied about that. Your twin brother isn't important to me, and I know losing Anna was still a big deal to you even if you didn't try to commit suicide and your brother actually succeeded."

"Uh...you lost me...what are you talking about?" Nick's face held total confusion.

"Your brother....Nathan....he was the one who was home with your sister and then he killed himself later in that park I found you in....?"

Nick was shaking his head, still not understanding. "Who in the world told you that?" he asked me.

"Um.......Justice...." I whispered.

"And you belived her?" He asked.

"Wait, so none of that is true???"

"The only part of that that's true is that I actually didn't attempt suicide....that was what I lied to you about....but that was the only thing and I only did it because I wanted you to think I understood what you were going through." He said sheepishly, avoiding my eyes.

I grinned. "That's all?"

He looked up at me, and nodded. "It's nice to know you'd still love me even if that really was true, though."

"I would." I said. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He said. "I love you so much."

With that, he leaned down, wrapping his arms around my waist, and he kissed me, the kiss leaving me more wonderstruck than the first. I knew, right then, that this was only the beginning.

And then I closed my eyes as he hugged me to him, and I prayed to God for what would mark the first of many prayers.

I should have given in to the truth a long time ago. Because now, with Nick, I'm free. Thank you, God, for giving me a second chance to love someone and be loved back. And thank you for loving me. I prayed.

And so the greatest Truth became evident in my life.

Nick had freed my heart when Justin had only hidden it.

I had let Justin go.

And the truth had set me free.