I expect the pain of getting shot to feel a lot worse, but it doesn't. In fact, I don't feel it at all.
And that's all explained when I'm not the one to fall to the ground; Teresa is.
No.
Not her.
She clutches her chest, and through her fingers I can see the red stain forming.
"How dare you?" Thomas snarls, fury in his eyes. But, instead of getting revenge, he runs straight over to Teresa.
I do the same, crouching down beside her as she lays in my arms.
"Thank you, Whitley." Through her tears, she manages to give me a smile, which I find impossible to return.
"Please, stay here, Teresa," Thomas pleads, tears already streaming down his hurt face. "Please, Tes. I can't live without you."
"I'm sorry, Thomas." Teresa shifts her slightly weak body, making it so she's buried in his. "I know you can go on without me."
"No." He shakes his head, his eyes squeeze tight as he holds Teresa, the girl he is clearly in love with. "You can hold on, Tes. Please. I can't let you go. I need you."
"Shh," Teresa silences him, hiding her tears. "You can do it. I know you can. You're strong enough."
"No, I'm not," Thomas defends, his eyes locked with hers. "I need you. Every day, I need you."
"You're just telling yourself that," she says. "And it's okay. I don't mind dying, honestly."
"What makes you say that?" Thomas wonders, making the most of Teresa's voice. Before it's gone.
"When I was younger," she begins, fighting for her life. "I was bullied. Badly. By some kids. They told me I was worthless, and they managed to convince me of it."
"But you're not."
"I know. Well, I know now. Anyway, when I was younger, the bullies made me feel like I didn't belong here."
Thomas nods, listening attentively.
"And one day, it got really bad. Instead of walking home, I went to a bridge."
No.
"And I jumped off."
Thomas squeezes her weak body. "If you weren't here... I honestly don't know what I'd do. I love you, Tes."
She looks up at the brunette. "You love me?"
He nods in confirmation. "I love you. I'm in love with you, Teresa. And I have been for years."
Without another word, Teresa reaches up and kisses the boy. And for a second, as I'm watching them, I forget I'm even there.
Until I hear the psychotic laughter sounding from the speakers.
Leave us alone.
Ignoring the speakers, I focus on Teresa. Her breaths are becoming shallower, her grip on Thomas's body loosening. I can't bear to watch her slip away. I move closer, taking her hand in mine, trying to offer whatever comfort I can.
"Teresa, please," I beg, my heart breaking. "You're so strong. Just keep fighting."
She turns her head slightly, her gaze locking onto mine.. "Whitley, promise me you'll take care of him," she whispers. "For me. Please. And take care of everyone else too."
"Of course," I promise, my voice thick with tears. "I promise. I'll always take care of everyone. You know that."
Her eyes soften as she looks into my eyes. "Thank you. And please, don't blame yourself." Her gaze flicks to Thomas. "You too."
"Tes..." Thomas chokes out, his own tears falling freely now. "You can't leave us. You have to fight. Please!"
"I can't," Teresa says softly, nodding as a silent tear slips down her cheeks. "Please don't forget me."
"You aren't going to die," Thomas promises, though we all know he has no control. "You can't die. I won't let you."
"You don't have a choice," Teresa reminds him, chuckling, although nothing is funny. "Just, please, remember I love you, Thomas."
He nods. "I'll always remember. Especially when we grow up together. Once you heal we can get married and have children of our own. How many do you want? Two? Oh, and of course we'll have pets. I want a—"
"Maybe in the afterlife," Teresa says, making Thomas's tears flow even faster.
"Just hang on, Tes," Thomas pleads. "You'll be okay. Do you remember that time you came over?"
Teresa nods in response.
"We baked cookies, and I accidently spilled flour everywhere. I love hanging out with you."
Thomas grips Teresa's hand tightly, his voice wavering with emotion. "I remember that time we snuck out to watch the sunrise by the lake. Remember how I brought those terrible sandwiches, and we laughed about how they tasted like cardboard?"
Teresa chuckles softly, the sound strained but warm. "Yeah, and you insisted they were gourmet. I still can't believe you tried to impress me with that!"
"Of course, I did!" Thomas laughs through his tears. "You were always worth the effort. And what about our first camp out here? You convinced me to go swimming in that freezing lake at midnight, and I thought I'd die from the cold!"
"I thought you were going to complain the entire time, but you surprised me," she replies, her eyes sparkling with fading memories. "You actually had fun!"
"I did, because you made everything fun," he says, his voice cracking again.
"And that time we pranked Brenda together?"
As I watch the two exchange memories, I can't help but hope she stays with us. But as the moments pass, I can feel the light fading from her eyes, and I know that time is running out.
"I love you both," she breathes, the words barely escaping her lips.
"I love you too," Thomas and I say in unison, our voices filled with guilt and tears.
"And, Whitley?"
I listen attentively to hear what the last thing she'll say to me is. As I watch her pale face, I begin to cry even more.
"It's not your fault."
(A/N: I'm not crying, you are)
YOU ARE READING
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫? - 𝐓𝐌𝐑 𝐀𝐔, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐨
Fanfiction!! BEING REWRITTEN !! After moving to a new town, Whitley doesn't know anyone. When she gets the chance to go with her class on a school camp to a tropical island, she immediately accepts. But will this trip be as good as she imagines, or will it ch...
