I Heard A Rumor

Chapter 11: Everything To Me

-two weeks later-

-jon's pov-

Autumn's skin gleams in the sunlight as we walk hand in hand along the beach. The sun was just starting to rise over the horizon but all I can look at are her eyes. They're all-consuming and I'm addicted to them.

She's wearing a soft white dress with a white flower in her hair.

Suddenly, Autumn lets go of my touch and goes to sit down next to the water.

I finally get a good glimpse of the landscape around me. The first rays of the sun encompass the sky and gleams over the water, the sky and ocean have a soft orange tint. I still find myself drawn to Autumn, so I go over to her and sit next to her on the sand.

She smiles, "I found this for you. You should open it."

Autumn hands me a half opened pearl oyster so I pull out the pearl and run it through my hand, "Something you can always remember me by."

I laugh, "Thank you, it's perfect. But you're always going to be here with me, right? I don't think I can live without you. You're my everything."

Autumn deeply looks in my eyes, and from her look alone I know what she's thinking.

"I'm forever yours."

My fingers trace the back of her neck, as she leans and presses her lips onto my own.

God, I never want this to end.

~
All good things have to come to an end.

I wake up to the annoying sound of my alarm and I sigh as I annoyingly turn off the phone. Instinctively, even after two weeks, I reach over to the other side of my bed only to realize that it's empty. Instantly, a feeling of despair washes over me. It's not supposed to be this way.

Autumn's supposed to be beside me, I'm supposed to kiss her cheek and tell her good morning as she groggily wakes up. That's how it should be and that's what I want.

I wish I could just lay here all day and go back to sleep, dreaming of a world where I'm still with her. Dreams are an escape from this terrible reality.

As a United States Senator, that's not really an option.

I get up from bed and get ready, trying to ignore the picture of Autumn and I that's still on my nightstand. I'm not ready to let go just yet, although as each day passes the likelihood of Autumn and I never speak again.

I look at myself in the mirror as I brush my teeth. My eyes have bags and my hair is a mess. I had everything I ever wanted, only for it to be screwed up. But how can I trust her? I can't put myself through this shit again. She hurt me and I'm still reeling two weeks later. I sigh as I put my suit and tie on and grab my keys, not ready to go to work at all.

It's not a long drive from my apartment to the Capitol at all, but there's a lot of traffic. Usually, I'd have a staffer pick me up but I just wanted to be alone. I'd kept my head low the past two weeks since the news spiraled. Only coming out of my office for committee meetings and votes, and avoiding the hell out of anyone.

As I drive, I find myself listening to the radio. I Don't Want to Miss A Thing by Aerosmith is playing. I try to distract myself and focus on the road, but it's impossible when I connect so deeply with the words.

I don't want to close my eyes.

I don't want to fall asleep.

Cause I'd still miss you, babe.

And I don't want to miss a thing.

Cause even when I dream of you.

The sweetest dream will never do.