Dead and Gone

Dead

"Jade, I really like you. I always have. And I know it seems kind of sudden but I've known you since we were little..." I looked deep into his eyes, a wide grin on my face.

"I really like you, Jade." He said softly. I was speechless.

"Michael..." I whispered, "Oh Michael, I like you too!" I threw my arms around him. He hugged me back. He let go of me and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a silver locket necklace, on the back it said:

Remember me always -Michael

He held it out to me, smiling. He put it around my neck, lifting my hair.

"Oh, Michael, thank you! It's beautiful." I breathed.

"You're welcome." He said, "Always remember me."

And he leaned in closer, his lips almost touching mine...

I really like you Jade...

I always have...

Since we were little...

Always remember me...

And right before his lips touched mine, I heard a voice call my name.

"Jade!"

"Jade?" The voice was muffled, like I had cotton in my ears.

"Jade, honey, wake up." the voice was getting more desperate.

I felt a hand on arm.

"Jade?"

I didn't want to wake up. I wanted to keep sleeping and let Michael kiss me. But it was too late now, so I opened my eyes.

I was in a white room and it was so bright. I blinked several times. Finally, my eyes focused on my mom, who was standing over me with a worried expression.

Her eyes lit up when she saw that I was awake. "Jade!" she exclaimed, "Oh thank God you're awake! I was so worried!"

My head was pounding and I had a faint ringing in my ears. The room smelled extremely sanitary and the walls were a boring white. I looked down and saw I was in a hospital bed, an IV hooked up to me. My entire body ached. I scrunched up my face, finding it hard to think.

My mom noticed my confusion and asked, "Do you know why you're here?"

I shook my head.

"You were in a car accident." she said softly, refusing to meet my eyes.

And suddenly, my mind was swarming with memories. But I only got flashes of memories.

I was in the car with Michael. It was about ten o'clock at night. We were coming home from our second date. We were listening to sappy love songs and everything seemed perfect. I had never been so happy. I thought nothing could go wrong.

That's when I heard tires screeching and next thing I knew there was a loud crash and a car had slammed into our car, hitting the driver's side.

I looked over at Michael, he had shards of glass sticking out of him. He looked broken and bloody. His breathing was shallow. I took his hand in mine, tears stung in my eyes.

"I love you, Jade." his voice was hoarse.

"I love you, too, Michael." I said through sobs.

"Remember me..." his voice trailed off and he closed his eyes.

I took at my cellphone and dialed 9-1-1. "Help! We were in a car crash! My boyfriend is hurt!"

I kissed Michael's bloody cheek. "They'll be here soon, Michael. They'll fix you up," I said through sobs.

I saw a flash of red and blue and the siren of an ambulance...

I felt tears stream down my cheeks. I realized I had zoned out and I looked over at my mom. She stared back at me with tears in her eyes. She gave my hand a reasurring squeeze.

"The doctor says you'll be fine. Just some cuts that they've already stitched up, some bruises, and a couple of sprained bones. They'll heal." she offered me a small smile but it was more of a wince.

I nodded but I didn't care about myself, I wanted to know what happened to Michael.

I hesitated but finally I managed to ask in a hoarse voice, "How is Michael?"

I already knew the answer to my question.

She looked down, not wanting to meet my eyes.

"Michael is," she sucked in a breath, "Michael is... dead."

I closed my eyes and shook my head, not wanting to believe it. I choked out a sob. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I sobbed and I sobbed, but my mom was there to hold me and comfort me.

She held me close, stroking my hair. She sobbed with me.

Eventually, I cried myself to sleep in my mother's comforting arms.