Never Forget You

The Ring

Chapter 3

I woke up at 9:30 PM to the Smell of food. Which is odd since mom doesn't make food when she gets home from work, plus she doesn't get home till midnight almost every night.

I threw the blanket off my body and jumped out of bed. I started to run out the room, but something tripped me. "Uggh." I groaned on the floor. "What the fuck?" I rubbed my butt while looking towards what I tripped over. It was my fucking back pack. I shot up and kicked my bag in frustration. I shook my head and bolted out the room and down the stairs. I roamed into the kitchen and peaked behind the wall. What I saw surprised me greatly. It was, it was dad.

"Dad?" I called out, moving from behind the wall. He turned around with a smile. "Hello, Zach. You hungry?" He asked cheerfully, raising up the pan full off bacon and eggs. He loved breakfast for dinner. My eyes began to water. I snorted and shook my head attempting to make the tears go away. I ran to my dad and held him in my arms. I buried my head in his chest. "Dad." I croaked out. "I-I missed you so much." I started crying in hid chest. "Don't be silly, I've been here the whole time." He chuckled while setting the pan back down. I heard a click from the stove and felt strong arms wrap themselves around my shoulders. He placed his cheek on the top of my head. "I'll always be here." He said, only it wasn't his voice.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I pulled my head back and saw my brother. "Cody?" I asked, my voice yet again cracking. He nodded in response. "What's going on?" I asked, stepping back from him. "What do you mean? Zach, are you feeling ok?" He asked me with concern. He placed his hand against my forehead. My mouth was dry. "Wow, your pretty hot." He pulled his hand back and winked. Typical Cody. "I, uh. Yeah. Yeah I'm just, confused." I said placing my hand on my forehead and shaking head. What was going on here? I looked down at my feet and wiggled my toes.
My mom always said if you can wiggle your toes, then your not dreaming. I placed my hand back at my side and looked back up at Cody.

I gasped at who I saw. It wasn't Cody, or my dad. It was James, my boyfriend. I gapped at him. I dropped to my knees, keeping eye contact with him. I couldn't take it, I let the tears go. I started bawling. I looked away and I went to wipe my eyes, but a pair of soft hands were placed on my cheeks. I looked back up at his eyes. They were blue. Just like before. Oh, how I missed those eyes. "Zach. Don't cry. You don't look as cute when you cry." He smiled. I chocked out a short laugh, trying to ignore the tears dripping off my chin. He took his thumbs and gently swiped them under my eyes, removing the water from them. "I-I miss you so fucking much, James. Why did you leave? Why did you kill yourself?!" I yelled in frustration that we couldn't live like this forever. He moved his hands from my face and placed them on my thighs. "I didn't kill myself Zach." He smiled, a tear slipping past his smile. I looked at him in shock. What did that mean? "What?" I didn't understand. Was he...? No, that's not what happened. "Zach." He said, lifting my face with his hand. "I swear it. I would never have left you on purpose." I shook my head. "I'm so sorry." I started crying again.

I felt a soft pair of lips connect with mine. I kissed back. After a slow moment, he pulled back. "Zach, I love you." He said. He grabbed my hands and pulled me up with him. He pulled me to his chest and enveloped me in his chest. "I love you so much baby, I'll always be watching out for you." His voice cracked in my ear. I nodded while hugging him around his back. "I love you too." I cried back. He pulled back with tears in his eyes. He pulled out a ring that was in his pocket and slipped it on my finger. He held up his hand showing that same kind of ring on his same finger. "See you later, alligator." He sniffled with a smile. I chuckled behind the tears. "I-in a whi-while, crocodile." And with that he slowly disappeared with that smile etched on his face.

I jolted out of bed with tears steaming down my face. I looked around, I was in my room. I looked up at the ceiling and screamed in pain. My chest was aching and my eyes were sore. I couldn't take not being with him. I put my hands over my face, but flinched when I felt something cold touch me. I pulled my hands back and looked at them. I gasped and covered my mouth as I examined my hand. It was the ring from my dream. I cried even more when I saw it. I will never take it off.

I looked out side to see the moon high in the dark sky, making a path of light through my window and on my face. I stared at the moon thinking how that could be James, watching over me. Just as I thought of James, a shiver took over my body. My mom told me that goosebumps means tour in the presence of an angel. I smiled and laid back down. I snuggled up to my hand with the ring and closed my eyes. My eyes shot back open when I spine aching chill ran up my spine when I  remembered what James had told me. How he didn't die, he was murdered. Just thinking of that made me feel unsafe, then I felt his presence with me once again, and with that I fell right back asleep.