The Last Time

Prologue:

It was a cold winter night. My long dark brown hair, which cascaded down past my shoulders, was wet from the shower I had just taken. My mirror reflected chocolate eyes that matched my hair. Perfectly arched eyebrows. Soft white cheeks. Nearly pale skin.

I was studying that night. But not schoolwork. No, I studied a picture. I picked at the edge nervously as I looked at it. In the picture, a blue eyed, black-haired boy's arm was draped around my shoulders. Seeing his smile made my heart flutter. That smile was rare but he seemed to wear it more often around me.

I should call him right now. I thought. I should ask him if I can come over, and I should tell him how I feel. I glanced at my clock. It wasn't too late yet.

I heard the strangest blaring sound in the distance. It was far off and I couldn't hear it well, so I ignored it. But as the sound got closer, I couldn't ignore it. The sound of an ambulance siren turned onto my street.

There were only four houses on my street. The first one was empty- built a few years back and never sold. Then there was mine, where I had lived my whole life. Across from my house was where that boy in the picture lived. He'd also lived there his whole life but I never had feelings for him until high-school. Then there was a house at the end of the road where an old couple lived. Mr. and Mrs. Porter. I knew Mr. Porter had a bad heart. And that ambulance was getting closer. Oh, no. Not Mr. Porter.

But the sirens didn't zoom past like I expected. As I looked out my window in confusion, they stopped outside the house opposite mine. His house.

Oh, no. Oh, no no no. Please, God no. This has to be a dream. My world came crashing down. How did I not see the signs? I saw them now. Every word, every conversation, every action. If only I had called sooner. Would he still be alive?

Could I have saved him from himself?

I stared out the window for a moment, seeing nothing. Then I jumped out of bed and ran blindly to my door, throwing it open and rushing downstairs. Mom looked up, startled to see tears falling down my face, and called after me. "Aubree, what's wrong?"

I kept going straight outside in the freezing cold rain, wearing nothing but my cotton shorts and tank top. Mom and Dad ran after me. I didn't stop until I was across the street, in that house.

I saw his tear-filled mom clinging to her husband. My world was falling apart, just like hers. Our eyes met and my knees felt weak. I knew the truth. I was about to fall. This can't be happening.

But it just did.