𝓖𝓱𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓟𝓪𝓼𝓽 ║continuation

27

Jesse awoke to the faint sound of birds chirping. She opened her eyes to the bright sunlight shining into her room from the window. She pulled herself out of bed and approached it. Staring out longingly towards the beautiful town in front of her, Jesse felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort. This would be one of the hardest things to let go of. But there was no other choice. In order to let all of this live on, she knew that she could not. Jesse sighed, leaving her room for what very well could have been the last time. She entered the kitchen to grab something to eat, not expecting the rest of her friends to already be there. Their eyes pierced through her, their silence causing the air to turn thick with tension.

"Jesse." Petra greeted her, hopping off the counter she was sitting on. "How'd you sleep?"

Not being able to look her friends in the eye, Jesse kept her eyes glued to the floor, refusing to take them away. She couldn't stand to see her friends pity her like this. Of course, they meant well, but it was too much for her.

Jesse looked down. "Fine."

She snatched an apple from the fruit basket and exited the kitchen without another word. Regardless of her cold behavior, it broke her heart to see that look of guilt in their eyes. Jesse knew her death would take a toll on everyone, but it hadn't even happened yet. She shook away these nagging thoughts and took a bite of the apple. Not even that could satisfy her hunger. If anything, eating made her more hungry than before. Sitting on the stairs to her mansion, the girl gazed over her town and its people. The people that she loved so dearly. The people she would do anything for. She wiped away a single tear from the brim of her eyelid. It made her wonder how they would react upon hearing about her death, which led her to wonder how her friends would tell them. Jesse, a legendary hero, dies in honor of saving the world yet again. She huffed. Jesse sat still as the light breeze blew her dark hair over her shoulders. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath of the fresh, peaceful air surrounding her. What she would give for just one more day. But she knew well enough, she was to bear the responsibility as leader.

"Thought I'd find you out here." A voice spoke.

Jesse jerked up, quite startled by the sudden interruption. She glanced behind her to find Lukas standing just a few feet away.

Seeing the soft smile spread across his face almost made Jesse forget about her problems. Just almost.

"Yup. Here I am." She replied, perhaps coming across as more blunt than she intended.

She watched as Lukas took a seat next to her on the stairs. "What's going on with you?"

Jesse raised an eyebrow.

"And don't say 'nothing'. I know you, Jesse. You tend to brush away your feelings as if they aren't important." He continued.

Jesse paused to think before answering. "It's easier that way."

Lukas leaned in closer, waiting to hear some sort of explanation.

"I learned that, if I just ignore them, my pain goes away. Eventually, at least. The last thing I want is to be more of a burden to you guys."

Silence passed between the two.

"I don't want you to ever feel that you're a burden, or whatever." He took hold of Jesse's hand, interlocking his fingers with hers. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll always be here for you. Promise me you won't shut yourself off anymore."

Jesse stared longingly into his eyes. He was so kind to her. He always had been. She wanted more than anything to confide in him. He is too good. Too sweet. Was she really deserving of this?

"Please, Jesse." His eyes practically pleaded with Jesse.

She pursed her lips together. "I promise."

Lukas enveloped Jesse in a hug. It took a moment before she accepted his hug, wrapping her arms around him, as she nestled her head into the crevice of his neck. Jesse very much enjoyed his hugs. Being in his arms gave her a sense of comfort and safety. Admittedly, Jesse was envious of Lukas. Jealous of his effortless ways of talking to people. Jealous of his ability to make anyone feel better. Jealous that soon enough, she would no longer get these moments with him. The moments that made her feel so special, as if they were the only two souls left on earth. She was filled with regret after taking her life for granted all this time. If she ever got the chance, she would fix her mistake. But it was too late.