Memories of Autumn

Chapter 8

Anne:

As I heard the call that was made by Nate, I was heartbroken because I just learned that John went to a party instead of being with me on my birthday. Luckily Nate was there beside me to ease the pain and comfort me. He offered to take me out on the rides himself and we spent the remaining ours together. I eventually felt better as we both enjoyed ourselves. After all the fun, we bought cotton candy and sat on the bench.

Nate looked at me "So, feeling better yet?" I smiled back at him.

"Well, I guess. At least I have you here with me." I said as I rest my head on his shoulder.

Nate:

We sat together, eating cotton candy on that bench. I felt Anne's head resting on my shoulder and I felt myself blush. I loved the feeling of her so near me but I closed my eyes and frowned with guilt for feeling this way. We finished eating and Anne yawned, I looked at her with a gentle expression

"Are you ready to go home?"

She looks at me in the eyes and said "I really appreciate you being here with me today. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't here with me."

As she said those words, my heart seemed to leap from my chest and I started to blush. The world seemed to slow down as I gaze into her amazing brown eyes. I was mesmerized by her, feeling so much of the love for her that is dying to get out. I leaned towards her slowly and gently kissed her on her lips. I felt her soft lips against mine as my hand instinctively cupped her cheek, realizing she didn't pull back.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" An aggressive and furious voice echoed right behind us. I woke up from my trance and looked towards the voice. Before I knew it I felt a strong blow on my right cheek, throwing me off my feet and I stumbled back, knocking my glasses on the ground. It was John and he wrecked of alcohol. I heard Anne's shriek to stop him which immediately pumped adrenaline into my veins and I immediately stood up, clenched my fist and hit him back. He stumbled back as I hit him on the lip, tearing it slightly and making it bleed. He was enraged and before I could move, he punched me on the upper corner of my brow and I felt searing pain and thought he must have ripped my brow then I felt warm thick liquid drip down the side of my eye. Anne was yelling for us to stop. I felt him shoving my shoulder, making me back away from the force.

"How could you do this to me bro?" he said as he again pushed my shoulder that made me stumble.

Guilt consumed me as I stuttered to reply "L-look, I-I'm sorry John." It was all I can say.

"I won't take that shit man! You fucking bastard!" he yelled as he punched me right on the stomach. He was athletic and well-built and my body was unfit and weak. I fell to the ground, couching my stomach and coughing from his hard blow. That was when he kicked me right on my lower rib, making me wince in pain. But I laid there, probably accepting my mistake and taking consequences. MY strength left me as guilt over powered my body as I then took another blow from him. My eyes were blurry but I could still see Anne's frame as she yelled at John to stop. I'm pathetic, in the end, the person whom I wanted to defend was defending me. I looked, trying to make out her features-I closed my eyes- then I saw her clenching her chest and fell to the ground. That was when I suddenly found the strength to stand up and go to her aid. As John saw Anne unconscious, he stopped and ran towards her. I was numb; unable to feel any pain as I was about to carry her but John pushed me back and carried her with ease. "You drive my car!" he yelled. Suddenly he was sober and I was well as we both ran towards his car. 'Dear God, if anything happens to her, I would never forgive myself.

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We were at the hospital, stuck in the waiting room as they worked on Anne in the emergency room. John had his hands against the wall, hanging his head down while I was sitting on one of the benches, crouching and clasping my hands together with my eyes looking blankly at the floor. I tried to comprehend was just happened. It all went too fast and I couldn't wrap myself around it.

I soon learned that Anne was suffering from a heart disease. I blame myself for all of it. If only I hadn't interfered. If only I didn't kiss her. If only I hadn't fallen in love with her. She wouldn't be suffering. "I messed up." I whispered as I closed my eyes.

Back at the present:

Anne woke up by the sound of the clock on her wall. It was getting late so she put the pictures in the box and cleaned up her cat's mess. "I should help Nate with Arthur, it's the least I can do for him." She said in her mind as she went to sleep. That night she dreamt of John in the carnival with her. She could still see every detail of his face, the feeling of his hard yet gentle hand. Her pillow was wet with tears that night.