Until We Fly

Chapter 15: Treehouse

'James you there?'

'i dont know where i am!'

'Please help!'

'James im scared!'

"See? Just like I said!"

"Huh...and you've tried calling?"

"Hundreds of times!"

"Alright, calm down. Stressing isn't going to help."
Nim was right. But I was just so annoyed that I'd missed a chance to speak with Keiran, to KNOW he was alive!

Köleil sat beside me on my bed, holding my hand as I thought. Neither of us spoke. Just sat there.
It was nice.
Just being with Köleil was nice for me. It felt like I hadn't seen her in forever.

I could tell by the look on her face that she was worried.

"I'm fine, Kö. I'm just...stressed out a little. That's all."

"James misses his friend, doesn't he?"

"Heh...yeah..."

Köleil looked down between her feet.

"...there is people that Köleil has lost too. Lots of them. So Köleil...so I know how James...how...you feel."

"Wow, well done, Kö! You did really well."

"I-I've been practising because I know that it's hard for...you to put up with Köleil...um...that wouldn't be I, would it?"

"No, that would be a ME. So you say, put up with me."

"Yes. Thank you."

"You're awesome, Köleil. But don't push yourself. I think you're perfect however you speak. And I don't 'put up with you'. I love having you there."

"And...and I love having you there as well. I really like you. You make Köleil feel okay."

I chuckled, squeezing her hand a little tighter.

"We've still got to work on your me's. But me too, Kö. Me too."

I ruffled her hair like usual, watching her sweet smile gently reform on her face.
And I felt something. Something I hadn't ever felt before.
But I don't know what it was.

*****

I lay back, staring up at ceiling in darkness. The same damn sentence running through my hollow mind.

"I'm sorry...but she won't make it..."

Will those words ever go away?!

Gripping the sides of my head, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth I cursed silently.

"Leave me alone...I'm so sick of this...get out of my head!"
I hissed.

But Keiran and Jayden...

Who was next?
I knew he'd take someone else. If he even dared to go near Köleil...

I slid up from the covers, letting them slowly slide off by themselves as I looked down at her.
She slept on a mattress beside me now.
She'd never leave my side again.
And I'd never leave hers.

My throat quickly grew dry so I decided to go and get some water.

But when I opened the door, I saw someone else was awake too.
Jake leaned, back facing me, over the banister in dark PJ's.

"Um...hey."

He turned his head for a moment before looking back. Still expressionless.

"...hey..."