my lovely summer, emma myers √

t w e l v e

emma walked in and sat on the chair that was next to charlie's bed, her heart heavy with regret and love. she needed to say things she had kept bottled up for too long.

charlie's eyes fluttered open as emma gently took her hand. “hey, charlie,” she said, her voice trembling. “it’s me, emma.”

charlie smiled a bit, "hey, i'm glad you're here," tears welled up in emma's eyes, and she squeezed charlie's hand. “charlie, i need to tell you something."

"i’m so sorry. i’m sorry for pushing you away. i thought... i thought if i distanced myself, it would hurt less, but i was wrong. i was so wrong.”

charlie's eyes softened, and she gave a slight nod. “i know, em,” she replied weakly. “i understood. it was hard for you. i kind of figured you knew when you wanted to distance. it's okay,"

emma's shook her head, the tears now streaming down her cheeks. “no, it was selfish. you needed me, and i wasn’t there. i just... i couldn’t face the thought of losing you. and in the process, i lost time we could have spent together.”

charlie's grip tightened slightly, her strength surprising emma. “we all deal with things differently,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “but you’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

emma's shoulders shook with silent sobs. “i just wish i could go back and change things,"

"and uhm...maybe told you that i like you earlier,"

"i really do. i like you, charlie. and i'm sorry for pushing you away,"

"i like you too,” charlie whispered, her voice growing fainter. “promise me... you’ll be kind to yourself. don’t carry this guilt. just remember the good times we had.”

“i promise,” emma said, her voice breaking. “i’ll remember every moment.”

charlie's breathing became more labored, her eyes closing as she struggled to stay awake. “thank you... for everything,” she murmured.

emma sobbed quietly, "rest now, charlie. i’m here with you.”

as the beeping of the monitor slowed and then ceased, emma stayed by charlie's side, holding her hand, whispering words of love and gratitude. in those final moments, emma found a bittersweet solace in knowing that charlie's last thoughts were of love and forgiveness, their bond unbroken and eternal.

°°°

emma stood by the graveside, her eyes hollow and red-rimmed, barely registering the faces of the mourners who had come to offer their condolences. charlie's parents were there, barely shedding a tear. the final words had been spoken, the earth slowly reclaiming the casket that now held her lover’s body. as the crowd began to disperse, she remained rooted in place, her gaze fixed on the fresh mound of dirt that marked the end of a life she had held dear.

the world around her seemed to fade, the muted colors of the cemetery blending into a dull blur. she felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if a piece of her heart had been ripped away and buried alongside her beloved. the lump in her throat grew tighter, her breath hitching as she struggled to hold back the tide of emotion that threatened to engulf her.

a strangled sob escaped her lips, shattering the silence that had settled over the graveyard. her legs gave way beneath her, and she collapsed to her knees, the cold, unforgiving ground biting into her flesh. she dug her fingers into the dirt, as if trying to reach the one she had lost. her body shook with the force of her grief, the sobs wracking her frame as she cried out for the love that had been stolen from her.

“i'm sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible through the tears. “i shouldn't have pushed you away,”

"i should've told you that i like you,"

"i'm sorry i was afraid to lose you,"

"i'm sorry,"

"i couldn't tell you that i love you,"

her words dissolved into another wave of sobs, her hands clutching the earth as if it were the last tangible connection to the person she had loved so deeply. she could almost hear charlie's voice, feel her touch, but the reality of the grave before her was a cruel reminder that they were gone, beyond her reach forever.

“come back to me,” she begged, her voice cracking under the strain. “please… i can’t do this without you.”

°°°

isla hesitated at the doorway, her heart heavy with the recent loss. the house was eerily quiet, every step they took seemed to echo, reminding them of the laughter and conversations that once filled these rooms. as they made their way to the bedroom, a sense of unease gnawed at them, but they pushed it aside, determined to find some sense of closure in the space that had once been so full of life.

entering the bedroom, isla was struck by how untouched everything seemed. it was as if charlie had just stepped out and would return at any moment, but the reality was far more permanent. the bed was neatly made, the familiar scent of charlie still lingering in the air. but what caught isla's eye was the desk, unusually tidy, with a small stack of envelopes placed carefully in the center.

she approached the desk slowly, her breath catching as they noticed the names written in charlie's handwriting on each envelope. the handwriting was careful and precise, as if their friend had taken extra time to ensure the letters were perfect. a pang of grief hit them as they realized these were likely goodbye letters, meant for the people charlie had cared about most. there were four envelopes. isla, jenna, mrs park and emma.

among the envelopes, one had a small pendrive placed on top. isla's heart ached at the sight of the name on the envelope under the pendrive—it was the name of emma. isla knew how much charlie loved emma. so it wasn't a surprise that she left something extra for her.

isla carefully gathered the envelope and the pendrive, she knew what she had to do, even though the task felt impossibly heavy.

°°°