Finish Line

Chapter 13

Sydney 

Jake shows me the football we used to play with. It’s small and looks old and worn out. my fingers trace around our names

Jake + Sydney

And the other side

Sydney + Jake

I never knew he kept it. Later that night Jake climbs in bed with me. He wraps hi arms around me and hugs me tight like I’m his lifeline. Half of my body is on top of him. I lay my head over his chest and listen to his heartbeat. That’s the last sound I hear before I fall asleep.

Jake 

I help Sydney with her therapy. She had a hard time on her first day. Dad and Luke tried to help but Sydney’s really stubborn, she didn’t want anyone’s help. I admire her strength. She told me several times to leave but I didn’t want to. I knew she was embarrassed but I didn’t want to be apart from her anymore.

On the fourth day she was doing better. She could walk a distance before grabbing the bars to help her up. Taking the stairs was her hardest therapy. I always rewarded her with a kiss when she walked to the finish line. She blushed a pretty pink the first time I kissed her. She was so adorable.

Sydney 

It’s graduation day. Stacy helped me pick out my dress. I just picked a short heeled sandal since wearing heels was such a challenge for me after therapy. I haven’t been to school but Stacy tells me not to worry since she explained everything to the directors. I did get calls from my friends from the school paper. Dad and Luke called me daily since they were still worried about me.

There was a knock on our door and I knew it was Jake who was picking us up. I grabbed my graduation gown and cap and opened the door. Jake looks handsome in his dark blue long sleeves and slacks, I’ve only ever seen him in jeans. Jake was allowed to enter our building by the landlady. I still remember that day when I came back from the hospital.

“You are allowed two minutes to bring her up then come down immediately” Ms. Peterson points her finger at Jake

“Two minutes? It’ll take her at least five minutes to climb the stairs” he frowns

“Not my problem”

Jake turns to me and smiles mischievously. He looks at his watch and turns to Ms. Peterson

“Yes ma’am” he salutes her and suddenly carries me in his arms and runs up the steps. I hear Ms. Peterson shout “Smart boy” as I laugh at Jake.

He deposits me in bed first then comes back with a bottle of water and his football that I’ve been sleeping with while at the hospital. He grabs my face gently and leans in to kiss me. I don’t know how long we’ve been kissing because suddenly I hear an alarm. He releases me and looks at his watch.

“My two minutes are up baby. Get some rest okay? I love you” he kisses my nose

“I love you too” he runs downstairs. Stacy watched everything happen and couldn’t stop laugh after Jake left.

“That boy is just too sweet” she says. Yes he is and he’s mine. I smile.

Jake 

Sydney opens the door and when I see her I stop breathing. She’s beautiful. She’s wearing a cream silk dress that hugs her in the right places. I love looking at her. She gets more beautiful every day. I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

“You’re breathtaking” I watch as her cheeks start to blush. She looks adorable. I kiss her lightly and I hear her sigh against my lips.

“Thank you. You look very handsome” only she can make me blush.

“Okay you two, enough with the sweetness. We have to go before Ms. Peterson call the cops”

“No worries. I’m allowed 10 minutes since I was told girls take a long time getting ready” I wink at Stacy and Sydney laughs.

We head downstairs and I thank Ms. Peterson. She congratulates us.