Only, Always, and Forever You

22 - You, Always and Forever

Sorry this chapter is a little short, loves!! I'll be updating soon :)
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Cole's POV:

I lay her down on her bed and carefully remove her shoes. I pull the covers up over her body, and I'm getting some serious dejavú from just the other night...

I need to get back home before my mom realizes I've been gone for so long, so although I want nothing more than to stay and make sure she's alright, I decide to write her a note instead.

I place the note, as well as the gift I had in my backpack, which I planned on giving her at school, on her bedside table so that she'll see them when she wakes up.

I then silently leave her room and gently close the door behind me. I'm walking down the hallway and enter the living room when I see the same man from earlier, standing and glaring at me.

Andrés, her brother, who I've come to learn is a pretty shitty brother, is attempting to intimidate me with his weak stare and his poor posture. I tower a full head over him, and I can see his harsh expression falter as I get closer.

I don't have the energy to deal with him right now, so I walk straight for the door. Before I make it there, however, his inferior frame cuts me off from the exit, and he crosses his arms in front of his chest. Again, failing to appear intimidating.

"I don't know who you are, or what you want with her, but you need to stay away. She doesn't need some kid to play with her feelings on top of everything else she's been through," he states roughly, and all I can do is chuckle at the irony.

"And where have you been, Andrés?" I scoff, "I'm not going anywhere. At least I'm man enough to stay and look after the people I care about. I'm not a coward, like you, and I won't give up on her just because of this pathetic attempt to scare me off."

With that, I walk past him, not even bothering to avoid shoulder checking him as I leave. I pay no attention to him as he stands frozen, speechless. What a pathetic excuse for a brother. He acts all high and mighty, like he has the right to control her, but he can't even be there when she needs him. Like I said, pathetic. If I had stayed any longer, I think I would have ended up doing some serious damage.

I only unclench my jaw and fists once I get back into my car. I calm myself down to the image of her beautiful, serene face, and wish I were there to see it when she opens the gift I got her. At least, I hope she enjoys it enough for it to make her smile.

I love her smile.

Amara's POV:

I wake up in my bed, still wearing my clothes from earlier except now my shoes are gone. I'm confused for a second before I figure that I probably fell asleep at his grave from crying so much. That also means that Cole must have been the one to take me home. Again...

Wait, what was he doing there anyway? How did he know I was there? Why did he stay and take me home?

Whatever his reasons were, I'm just glad he was there. I'm just glad I finally had someone there for me.

I look over at my bedside table and find a wrapped gift with a note on it. I pick it up and read the note first.

Dear Amara,

I brought you home after you fell asleep, and I wish I could have stayed. I wish I could be there when you wake up, princess.

I can't say I know how you feel, and I can't say that I know how to make the pain you're feeling go away. But, I can and will be here for you if you ever need to talk, or even if you just need someone to sit silently with.

Even if you feel like you're alone — you're not. I hope you know that I'm here for you, always and forever.

P.S. I picked up the book for you since you didn't finish reading it at the library. Hopefully you enjoy the ending :)

- Cole

I set down the note and pick up the gift, already knowing what's inside. I unwrap it, and, sure enough, it's a brand new copy of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights.

My heart melts at the gift, at the note, at him.

I'm glad I have him as my... friend?

Yeah... friend...

Right?