forever&always

~CHAPTER 48~

~JOSH'S POV~

"With Harry out of the picture, I could be the one next to Emily. If this letter never got to Emily, I could finally have a chance with her. This was it. This letter never existed. It never did."

That letter was what was standing in between me and Emily. I could still remember so vividly about how Harry telling me clearly that I had to give it to her. The desperate look in his eyes before he left. But Harry was gone now, and I could finally be the one besides her. The thought was tempting but I couldn't possibly do that to Harry. Harry was my best lad- my brother. Getting rid of the letter would be stabbing him in the back. I immediately pulled myself back into reality and couldn't believe what I was thinking. I was crazy- delusional.

"Stop talking shit Josh. Just give Emily the letter."

I bit the insides of my lip when I slowly drifted my eyes upon Emily. She was fragile- broken. She was at her most vulnerable state. Emily was hurting. I still couldn't believe that Harry had left her- abandoned her. I felt a spark of anger surge beneath my toes. Emily's beautiful, blue eyes were trained on the ground and I stopped midway again from pulling the letter out. Then, I suddenly had a change of heart. I felt my jaws clenching up tightly together and my fists balled up along- immediately crumpling and crushing the piece of paper. I felt a lump in my throat as I gripped the letter tighter and tighter into a ball.

"I'm sorry Harry.. But now it's my turn. I'll take care of her now."

I was determined. I was determined to never leave Emily like Harry did. I wasn't ever going abandon her and make her cry. Embracing her in my arms while holding her hand. I would love her- forever and ever.

~EMILY'S POV~

"Harry.. He's really gone.."

I couldn't deny the truth anymore. Harry was really gone. He left me. There was suddenly a large bump in my throat and tears streamed down my face. It dropped one by one down onto Josh's jacket and I covered my face with my hands so he couldn't see. Burying my face into my knees, my head was pounding. Finally, I started to sob out loud. I couldn't hold it in any longer. I felt Josh's hand slide over my back and comfort me. Then, I barely managed myself to stand up with Josh's support. I wobbled a bit to the side and immediately fell into his arms.

"Woa- Em. We gotta get you home."

"Home..? No. I'm gotta go find Harry.. He's probably somewhere here.."

"GODDAMN IT EMILY. FACE IT. HARRY.LEFT.YOU. DON'T YOU GET IT? HE LEFT YOU FOR FAME. WHY ARE YOU BEING LIKE THIS? HE WON'T COME BACK! HARRY IS GONE."

Josh raised his voice out loud. It boomed through the whole auditorium and I felt my eyes get cloudy with tears. His words struck me hard. I felt like I was just struck with a bat on the back of my head. Immediately, I thrusted his hands off of me. I stumbled backwards a bit and it was then when Josh realized what he just said to me. I clutched my hand over my forehead and sighed out loud angrily. Staring back at him, I could see a hint of anger still blazing in his eyes. Josh stepped towards me a bit and reached his hands out- until I smacked it off to the side.

"Anyt- Anything more you wanna add Josh? Because you've already said a mouthful."

"Emi-"

"Left me for fame? How could.. How could you say that to me? I- I know he's gone.. As much as I want to believe that he's still here, he's gone. I know that Josh. But.. But he would've at least told me or left something.."

We were both silent for a moment. Josh seemed to hesitate a little before replying back to me.

"Harry- Harry didn't leave anything behind.. Not that I know of.."

"What.. What am I suppose to do now Josh..? I already miss him.."

"I know you're broken.. But time will heal everything."

"He's not coming back is he.."

"I think you know the answer to that question.."

"I wish I didn't.."

"C'mon. I'll take you home."

"I wanna be alone.. Just leave."

"I can't leave you out here in the freezing weather. You can be alone at the house- but not here."

As Josh led me outside, I was soon caught up with the breezes. My mind was blank as he gently shoved me inside the passenger's seat of his car. Once inside, I closed my eyes and turned sideways to the window. I saw my reflection and my ruined mascara which flowed down my face. I knew it was time to face the truth now no matter how much I denied it. Josh as right. Harry was gone now. He left me. He wasn't coming back. Harry.. The times we had- all gone.