the life of ariel winters - jim chapman

Chapter 34: the video

Ariel's POV

one week later...

We are all finally back home in London.

It's so nice to be home and to be safe. Away from everything. Away from him.

He went to jail and is now awaiting trial. My attorney said that he will definitely be going to jail. Carter got caught for being an accomplice, so he is being tried too.

I can finally breathe again. Even though I wasn't kidnapped for long doesn't mean that I wasn't. I still went through the physical torture. I have scars all over my body reminding me of it now. He sliced my arms up, down, sideways, anyway you could think of he did it. They hurt and I have bandages over them, but they will heal. As well as my mind, hopefully.

Something big is happening today, I don't exactly know what but i know that we are supposed to be having a party. Everyone is coming over to the cool house. No one will tell me what's going on and I know that it's killing them. Jim said that he needed to talk to me afterwards and that something is definitely going to change about what is going on between us.

Jim and I are still trying to work out what we are. We have rarely talked about it but when we did, he shushed me because I needed rest. He hasn't left my side for which I am gratefully thankful for. I'm scared to take a shower. I'm scared to go outside alone. It's horrifying. But he is sleeping in my bed now with me. I didn't ask him too but I'm not complaining. He makes me feel safe. He always has, with my secret, with my powers.

Since we are talking about my secret, my powers aren't as strong anymore. When I was in the hospital, everyone that knew was on high alert and making sure the Turning didn't happen in the worst place it possibly could.

I don't know what's different about them, but it's harder to concentrate for the powers to actually work. And it takes longer for the Turning to happen. So I can easily wipe off the water in time. Maybe it's because I'm getting older? I have no idea but I'm highly thankful for it. I've been carrying this burden for so long, it's about time that it sets me free.

"Come on Ariel, people are starting to arrive. You need to get dressed." Jim whispers softly, helping me sit up. It's not that I can't do it on my own, I just feel random losses of energy and my brain shuts off. Jim helps me get dressed, helps me eat my food. The doctor said that I may have Persistent Depressive Disorder, that I've had it since the mishap with Chad a year ago. He said that some of the side effects include weight loss or weight gain, fatigue, and bad sleeping times. So, I've got my boys to help me with everything. Jim is the only one that I trust to change me because I'm self conscious.

He takes off my pajama shirt and slips on me a long sleeve shirt. I put on, with some help of Jim, a pair of sweatpants. We walk into the living room where Dan, Phil, and all the rest of our friends are sitting around the big TV. Jim leads me to a spot on the couch and he sits beside me, confusion definitely splattered on my face. I look around at everyone, Louise and Zoe look like they are about to cry, and Alfie is videoing this?

Suddenly, the TV turns on with a video. It's Alfie, with some people who watch his videos. No, it's the people at the meet-up I left. The one I brought Chad to. They are saying such nice things. There are different clips from different people. Dan and Phil's was so cute. Hank Green's made me cry. I'm so overwhelmed right now, it's beautiful. This feeling, it's amazing.

They made a video for me...

All I can feel is happiness and just pure, genuine joy at the fact that they took the time to compile a video for me. I can feel tears falling down my face, as I look around to see everyone. All the people who have taken care of me. The people who thought about me so much that they took the time to video all of these clips. There are so many people in it. So many people who participated, who did this for me.

I am just overwhelmed with absolute, pure happiness. It's been a while since I've felt that. And I can't thank everyone enough for helping me feel that again after what I've been through.

I'm just repeating the words thank you... thank you... thank you...

It's the only thing I can get out. It's the only thing I can think to say.

Thank you.

~•~•~
Jim's POV

She's crying. But they are happy tears. Ones that we created and that's an amazing feeling. Her favorite part was when I interviewed her dad about her channel and how proud of her he is with her success. It's a good feeling, where everyone is happy. Everyone is radiating with joy and it makes you filled with joy. The swelling of your heart when you know that you are doing the right thing.

As I get up to give my speech, my eyes lock with her and everything is gone. I know what I'm going to do before I even think it. I sit back down and just kiss her. Kiss her with all my might. It's more than last time, more passionate and less desperate. I can hear cheering and crying all around me, but it doesn't matter. All that matters is the feeling of being safe and great. That's what I feel when I'm with Ariel. Being safe and happy. The feeling of being right.

And I want to keep feeling this way til the day I die.

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A/N

I don't know if anyone still reads this book but wow one more chapter left. This is my first ever book that I've ever finished. I'm really proud of that.

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