Just Keep Driving - Jeremiah Fisher

019

"Oh my little ray of sunshine you look beautiful" My grandmother said as I made my way down the stairs "I wish you didn't drop out of the ball"

"Evelyn" my mom warned my grandma "You look fantastic sweetie I'm so happy I can see this dress on you in person"

I smiled at both of them. I knew my grandmother wanted me to participate in the ball, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not after everything that happened this summer.

I pulled both my mom and grandma in for a hug. Tonight I was just grateful for everyone still being here. I would celebrate Susannah and cherish the time I still had with her.

"You two old ladies clean up well" I said jokingly to get a rise out of them

"OLD" they both yelled from behind me as I made my way out the front door. I could hear them cursing me as they grabbed their purses and keys to follow in suit.

Across the street I saw Jeremiah getting into his jeep ready to head to the ball. He looked handsome as ever, and I couldn't help but wish we were going together. Though the thought came and went as my mother touched my shoulder and led me to the car. Sighing I got into the car without a second glance at the boy who held my heart.

***

"My handsome date" Susannah smiled and linked arms with her eldest boy. My heart clenched at the sight, and I know Conrad was feeling the same because his smile at his mother didn't quite reach his eyes.

"My other beautiful date" Susannah then said turning to me, a smile beaming.

"My absolutely beautiful date" she said, taking my arm. My heart and throat clenched at the same time, and it became harder to breathe. I had to stay calm though this night was for Susannah the only thing she's asked for all summer.

"You don't look too shabby yourself Miss Susannah" I said jokingly, making Susannah's smile brighter. "Stunning you look stunning"

We then made our way to the front door where we met up with Laurel and Jeremiah. His eyes shot to mine, and then his eye swept the rest of my body. For a second his breath hitched, but then gave me his cool and collected Jeremiah smile.

"You take my breath away" he said leaning in and giving me a kiss on my cheek. My whole world paused for a second as he did so.

As he pulled away I heard Susannah gushing teary eyed.

"Look at us. It's perfect"

"Mom, you're not gonna cry, are you?" Jeremiah asked

"What, and ruin my makeup? No way" She said, and my heart lurched. This woman meant so much to me, and all her sarcastic beautiful self. My smile faltered for the slightest second, but Jeremiah saw and shifted on his feet like he wanted to say something. What Susannah said next was the nail in my coffin.

"It's just ... Everything's gonna be different next year. Conrad's going off to college. It may be the last summer we're all together"

"Pardon me" I said, making a break for the bathroom. I thought I could be strong. I thought I could do this for Susannah, but for her to talk like she's already gone is tearing me apart.

Though with my luck before I could reach the bathroom someone was already tugging me in, and locking the door behind us.

"Something is wrong with my mom, I was right wasn't I" Jeremiah said looking me in my eyes.

Before I could help myself I blinked which let a stray tear go.

"Please tell me what it is. She's so tired all the time, and I went to fake dance with her back there on the porch and she stumbled. What is going on please tell me" Jeremiah said, grabbing his hair nervously.

"I can't" I said sadly, but Jeremiah grabbed my biceps and lowered himself to the ground in almost a begging position and my heart shattered at the sight.

"Please. Please. Just tell me"

"I can't" I cried out "She asked me not to say anything. She will tell you whatever it is when she's ready" I sobbed

"Ray" Jeremiah said in the tiniest voice I ever heard from someone who held themselves with such confidence.

"Jeremiah please I can't" I said detaching myself from him and running out of the bathroom, and then out of the main building finding myself a pool chair to cry my heart out.

***

What felt like hours later I saw a hurried figure coming towards me. A phone screen lit up his face, and I could tell it was Jeremiah coming towards me. Though when he got close enough I could tell it wasn't his phone but Susannah's.

"She asked you not to tell me! She asked you not to tell all of us? This is why you've been different this summer. Why Conrad has been acting like an ass. GOD I'M SO STUPID" He said tears streaming down his face.

"I should've realized sooner. The three most important people in my life were hurting and I ... I didn't realize" He then collapsed into my lap "I'm so so so sorry"

"Oh Jeremiah, don't blame yourself. She wanted it like this, she wanted us to have one more perfect summer all together"

"But you knew, and she asked you not to tell anyone! You were suffering in silence and I ... I let you, and I kept hurting you more" he sobbed into my lap.

"It's not your fault" I said, folding into him, now joining in on the sobbing. "It's not anyone's fault. This is just a shitty situation, it always is"

"You shouldn't have to go through this again" He said now looking at me and slid his hand in over my cheek.

"It's okay" I said, putting my hand over his, and leaning into his touch.

He looked like he wanted to say more, but cut straight to the chase.

"Here, take my keys, go home, and I'll find you later. I promise."

"But the ball"

"Ray, you don't have to be strong anymore. Finally take some time for yourself and feel all that you didn't allow yourself to feel this summer. I will find you and we will both feel this together like it should of been"

And like that I fell even more in love with Jeremiah Fisher. 

___

Quite honestly I didn't think this story would be seen! 

I came up with the idea and my brain wouldn't stop nagging me until I gave it a shot. Though at chapter 18 is when I became overwhelmed because I didn't have the motivation to continue. I started reading through my writing and saw that I really only had maybe an episode and a half left, so why not finish. So here we are, I would say maybe one or two more chapters to go :)

Hope you enjoy <3