Lost Love - A Short Story

'the hardest part is letting go of the nights we shared'

Belllaaaa, wake upppppppppp!" James sang, shaking his girlfriend's shoulder, not too roughly but rough enough to get Isabella to roll over and rub her tired eyes. "C'mon Bella, you've been sleeping the day away, get up."

"I don't wanna." Isabella mumbled, rolling over to bury her face in her pillow.

"Bellssssssss!" James bounced onto Isabella's bed and laid next to her. "Wake up." James said simply.

"I'm tired." Isabella moaned, snuggling close to James. The brunette instantly wrapped her arms around her boyfriend. "Just let me sleep, please?" she asked.

"But you've slept the entire morning away and most of the afternoon." James pouted.
"I know I just don't have any energy babe."

James' pout turned to a face of worry. "Should I call Xander, or a doctor or something?"

"No, no, no." Isabella said hurriedly. "Please, I just want to lay in bed and rest."

"Are you sure?" James bit his lip. "If you feel sick-"

"I don't feel sick, I'm just tired." Isabella insisted.

"But that's still bad." James said. "Especially since...you've stopped...with your treatments."

Isabella could tell James was struggling to get the words out and Isabella took pity on him. She used what little strength she could muster up to place a sweet kiss on her boyfriend's lips. "It's ok." she whispered, pulling away from the kiss. James' forehead was pressed against Isabella's and tears filled up his hazel irises. "Whatever happens, it's all going to be okay Jamey."

James sniffled and simply nodded, not wanting to argue with Isabella at this point. "Okay." James whispered.

Isabella laid back in her bed once more, intertwining her fingers with James. "Would you do me a favor?" she asked softly.

"Anything." James said.

Isabella smiled lightly. "Sing me a song." she requested.

James smiled and Isabella felt her heart sore. God, she loved that smile. "That's what you want?" he asked. Isabella nodded and James gave her a quick peck on the cheek before crossing the room to get his guitar. He took a seat on the edge of the bed and rested his guitar on his knee. "Any requests?" he asked.

Isabella shrugged, the smile never leaving her face. "Surprise me." he said.

James smiled and whispered, "Okay." before strumming a few strings on his guitar. Isabella smiled immediately, recognizing the song. After a few seconds of playing the opening of the song, James began to sing.

"This time; this place. Misused, mistakes. Too long, too late. Who was I to make you wait? Just one chance, just one breath. Just in case there's just one left. 'Cause you know, you know, you know."

The first time James had played this song for her, Isabella cried her eyes out and even after all these times he had played it for her, Isabella could still feel the tears burning at her eyes. She was now convinced that this song would always get to her. James lifted his head up from his fingers, moving skillfully along the neck of his acoustic guitar to smile at Isabella. "I love you." he sang and a single tear tarnished Isabella's cheek.

"I have loved you all along. And I miss you, been far away for far too long. I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore."

Isabella's shoulders were shaking slightly and she was biting her lip, her eyes still watery and some tears managing to escape. James ceased playing for a moment to lean forward to place a kiss on Isabella's forehead.

"On my knees, I'll ask." James sang, pulling away from Isabella and resuming playing his guitar.

"Last chance for one last dance. 'Cause with you, I'd withstand all of hell to hold your hand. I'd give it all, I'd give for us; give anything but I won't give up. 'Cause you know, you know, you know...

"I wanted, I wanted you to stay 'cause I needed, I need to hear you say that I love you. I have loved you all along. And I forgive you for being away for far too long. So keep breathing 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore. Believe it, hold on to me and, never let me go. Keep breathing 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore. Believe it, hold on to me and, never let me go. Keep breathing 'cause I'm not leaving you anymore. Keep breathing. Hold on to me and, never let me go."

Isabella complied to the final lyrics of the song by forcing herself up and throwing herself into James' arms. The boy rested his head on Isabella''s shoulder, a few tears of his own escaping from his eyes and falling onto his girlfriend's shirt. He could feel Isabella shaking with silent sobs and squeezed him tighter. "I love you baby." he murmured into her ear.

Isabella sniffled and pressed her face into the crook of James' neck. "I love you too." she replied, her voice muffled. After taking a minute to compose herself Isabella pulled away from James and wiped her face with her palm. "Can I-" she sniffed. "Can I ask for one more thing?"

"Sure." James replied, taking Isabella's hands in his, making Isabella's request only harder to choke out.

"I want you... to live a day without me." Isabella whispered.

James rose an eyebrow. "Why would I want to do that?"

"Just... because." Isabella lied and sniffled. "For me?"

James stared at her, a confused expression on his face. "Okay... only for you." he said.

Isabella nodded but didn't smile and wrapped her arms around James one more time. "I love you baby."

"I love you too Bella." James replied immediately. "I will always love you."

Isabella's chest ached painfully and she gave James one more tight hug. And the fact that it was going to be their last one brought more tears to Isabella's eyes.