Aria (a psych fanfiction)

Chapter 16

Aria looked directly at the camera as she spoke. "So, um, I know it's unlikely that I'm going to get out of this alive, and I just wanted to say goodbye." Her swollen lower lip trembled, and she bit it, trying to keep from crying. "Um, Lassie, I'm sorry I was so annoying. But I'm glad you liked the coffee. Mocha Cookie Crumble, only forty twenty seven at Starbucks." She choked out a laugh before continuing, "Jules, I never really talked to you that much, and I'm kind of not okay with that. I wish I'd gotten to know you better, but, uh, I just wanted to let you know that Shawn really, really cares about you. Even if he won't admit it now. So, be nice to him, okay? For me."

Both Shawn and Juliet stiffened, suddenly uncomfortable. Well, that got awkward fast...

"Dobson..." The girl let out another cough-laugh. "Okay, to be totally honest, I have no idea who the hell you are. But I heard about you all the time, so I'm guessing you did a lot for the force, so...kudos to you, Dobson. I wish I could have said that under slightly better circumstances, but, hey, I gotta go with the flow." Everyone's heads swiveled to look at Dobson. "So...yeah. Stay cool, Dobson."

"Henry, thank you so much for everything - for letting me stay at your house even though we'd never really met before. I mean, New York City's pretty far away, and the fact that you just took me in like that...oh, and thank you for teaching me chess. And for letting me win. Yes, I knew. Shawn told me. But. Still. Thank you.

"Gus, I'm gonna miss geeking out with you, buddy. Um, I left my copy of Catching Fire under my pillow. I want you to have it. Okay? And when Mockingjay comes out, I'm gonna be right there behind your shoulder the whole time, reading it with you. Wow, um, that sounded way creepier out loud than it did in my head. But I'll miss you. So. Yeah." Shawn didn't have to turn around to know that Gus was crying.

"And Shawn..." By this point, Aria's voice was a dull rasp from all the talking, and Shawn had to strain his ears to hear what she was saying. "Shawn, you were the best cousin and legal guardian a girl could ask for, and a pretty damn good psychic, too. I don't regret coming to Santa Barbara, I don't regret falling asleep in the Psych office, I don't regret any of it. I do regret dragging you guys into this, though. I'm so, so sorry." Her words were even harder to make out through her sobs. "You'll be a great dad someday. Really, though. I mean, if there's one thing I've learned from all of this, it's that you never know how much time you're gonna have. Don't...don't waste it, this opportunity you have, okay?" Without realizing it, Shawn nodded, trying to communicate with her through the screen.

I'm sorry, too, Aria. I'm sorry i couldn't protect you.

"So, uh, I'm really sorry you guys had to see this, you know, all of these tears I'm shedding right now, 'cause I'm a hideous crier," she laughed, wiping her eyes. Shawn couldn't help but notice the awkward flow of the phrase, especially the way she emphasized shedding. He soon forgot, distracted by what happened next. "And I'm really gonna miss you guys. Just, remember the good times. Like when we went cherry picking, all those trees on either side of the lane. Remember?" She forced a smile. "Think about that. And thank you. And I love you guys. Bye." The camera moved to show a plain white ceiling, accompanied by a loud bang and a cry of pain.

The screen went black before they could even react.

EMOTIONS. EMOTIONS ARE HAPPENING TO ME

So...reviews? Maybe? Please? I'm not gonna hold this story hostage (I hate it when authors do that), but reviews are always a great motivator to update sooner than usual...which I may or may not do... (even though my life is crazy and hectic, because I feel kinda bad about posting such a short chapter, and you should totally review anyway because you guys are cool like that *big grin*)

:)