Suicide Notes

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Anna-

"Anna!" Caleb's voice caught me by surprise as I exited the auditorium. I turned to find him leaning against his Jeep in the parking lot. His mouth was pressed together in a hard set and there was pain in his eyes. Something was wrong. He never showed up here in the middle of the school day to see me.

Hurrying over to him, I set my books on the hood of his Jeep, the sound of cars leaving the parking lot for lunch filling the air around us. "What's the matter?" I asked, wrapping my arms around him. He pulled me close resting his head against mine.

"I needed to feel you in my arms," he replied, his voice sounding gruff.

I didn't press him for answers, knowing he'd tell me when he was ready. I simply let him hold me, while I breathed in the cool scent of his cologne. I loved him so much. It was hard for me to see him hurting and struggling with things.

Suddenly, the date popped into my mind and a feeling of dread shot through me. Pulling away, I stared at him.

"Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed, the sick feeling inside me growing worse. "Your tests came back positive for something, didn't they?"

Staring at me, confused for a moment, he suddenly burst out laughing. "No. My tests are fine." He kissed my forehead. "No, that's not entirely accurate. I mean the results didn't come in today. They told me to call back on Monday."

"Oh, thank goodness," I replied, my words coming in a tumbled rush as I buried my head against his chest. "I'd die if you were sick with something. I think I just lost ten years off my life."

He sighed. "I certainly hope not. I have plans for you during those ten years."

The smile that crept across my face was unstoppable. He was talking about our relationship as long term, and it made my heart swell. I couldn't imagine anything better than spending the rest of my life in Caleb's arms. "I'm okay with any plans you have for me," I replied.

"Any?" he asked; and I glanced up to see an evil looking gleam in his eyes.

I punched him in the stomach and pushed away from him. "You know what I mean."

He started laughing, again. "I do. And I have to say, I was right to come see you. Being around you always cheers me up."

"Are you going to share with me why you needed cheering? Or are you going to leave me worrying about you?"

Glancing around at the now, nearly empty parking lot, he leaned against his door. "I know you've been taking the last of your finals. Do you have more after lunch, or is there any chance I could convince you to ditch for the rest of the day?"

"Actually, I didn't have any classes with finals today. Monday and Tuesday will be the last of them. As far as ditching, I don't have to. I am eighteen and totally capable of signing myself out," I reminded him.

"Are you sure it won't mess anything up for you?"

"I'm happy to do it." I winked at him as I retrieved my books from the hood. "Be right back."

"Hurry. I miss you." His gaze wandered over me with an appreciative glance and I could feel his eyes on me all the way back into the school. He made me feel pretty when he looked at me like that, as if I were the only girl in the world. Sometimes I still wondered how I'd gotten so lucky.

***

I wasn't totally surprised when we parked next to the trail that led to the pond. There was a reason Jessi loved it as much as she did. It was a good place to come and reflect.