Crimson

Chapter One

You weren't supposed to die, Crimson. We were supposed to get married and have children. You said we'd be with each other for the rest of our lives. How could you let the last words you say to me be, "I'll see you tomorrow." You're way too strong for that. Since the beginning of the year I started seeing less of you and I was worried. I didn't think anything like this would happen to you.

That's what I thought to myself yesterday. Now she's gone. I can't do anything about it. She's dead.

"Oh well we can't do anything about it. It's her own fault" Mr. Lane says quietly.

Sam glares at me. "Is that really what he thinks?" She asks, "He's her father." She makes a fist and starts moving towards Mr. Lane.

I grab her arm. "Wait, Sam."

"What you're just gonna sit there and let him say that about her? Sean, get up and say something to him. You love her, don't you?"

"Loved her," I correct Sam, "you can't love the dead and it's not like he's wrong. Death is an irreversible thing and we can't do anything about it. Now sit down and stop making a scene."

Sam stares at me quizzically. "You still love her. I can see the sadness in your eyes," She whispers, "You're in pain and you hate what her father said even more than I do." She takes her seat. I sit down as well. "But I'll do what you say only because Cream wouldn't want me to hurt the bastard."

"She wouldn't want you to call her that either." I remind her.

"I know." She says with a slight smile. I can see it in your eyes too, idiot. You were her best friend. I can't deny that I still love her deeply. But what's the point. After today I will never see her again. All I have are the pictures and the memories. And the presents. The ones gave me acting like they weren't originally for me. Then I'd see them and know they could only be for me since they were always what I wanted. I did the same for her. However, I was more honest about it.

I look around. Mrs. Lane is completely distraught. She is usually so composed. Now she is very antsy. Her eyes are red from crying. She is almost running around the house serving the guests and making sure that everyone is comfortable.

"Shouldn't a wake be just a bit livelier?" Someone's voice says. I realize its Marc's voice. "Don't you think she'd want that?" He jumps onto a couch and grabs a handful of chips. Marc is the most carefree person I know. He's my best friend. He's like a brother to me.

"Well at least you haven't cried." Marc says.

Yeah, at least not here. I save tears for when I'm alone.

"I wouldn't blame you if you did though." He smiles at me, "you are her boyfriend." Marc leans passed me and kisses Sam.

"Was. She's gone now." I explain to him.

"Wha - Okay, Samantha, I'm gonna see Sean outside for a second."

Not like he needs to tell her why. She knows what was next. We walk outside to the side of the mansion. Marc loosens his tie dramatically pulling it away from his neck. He takes a fighting stance. "Can't we do this some other time?" I ask sighing, "I'm really not in the mood."

"That's the reason this time Sean. It won't take long." He always says this. Whenever I say something I don't mean, whenever I feel down, whenever we are trying to decide how to solve a problem, or whenever we are just bored, we spar. Since we started taking martial arts classes in the first grade we have always done this no matter the situation.

"Let's get it over with then. Two clean hits and that's it," I say getting into my own stance. I bend my knees, stand with my left foot facing him. I put my guard up with my hands closed gently. I start bouncing on the balls of my feet.