Never Again

Staring at the ceiling in my room was driving me insane. I sighed and sat up and I looked over at my desk. Out of all the things on my cluttered desk, a photo of Jack managed to catch my eye. An instant smile spread across my face.

I took that photo when we were sitting in the park and Jack was laughing. He was laughing at me actually. I was squatting, trying to take a photo of a bee on a flower. Unfortunately, I lost my balance and fell on my butt and Jack thought it was the funniest thing. I sat up on my elbow and took a photo of his laughter. The way the sun was hitting the top of his head I got the perfect amount of flare. When Jack laughs his eyes crinkle in the most adorable way possible.

   "Do you ever see the world without that lens?" Jack asked as I picked myself up.

"Not all the time." I sat down in front of him. He grabbed my waist and pulled me on top of him. He took the camera from my hands and set it down inside the basket. "No I need that!"

"No, no you don't." He pushed the basket away with his foot. I pouted and rested my chin on his chest. "You have to stop hiding behind that camera. The world is waiting for you to explore it. It's waiting for you to come see it. It's actually calling you. Cora! Cora explore me!"

"Haha Jack you're so funny." I rolled my eyes playfully.

He pulled me closer and pressed his lips to mine for a few moments before pulling away. "I love you Cora Holland."

"I love you, Jack Sawyer." I smiled. "I always will."

"Of course, you will who couldn't?" He joked and I laughed.

Reminiscing on that memory made me remember something. I love Jack and I have to tell him. Immediately. I slipped on my TOMS and grabbed my keys and ran down the stairs.

"Where are you going?" My mother yelled as I ran past her.

"I'm to tell Jack I love him!" I yelled to her.

"Come back here!" I retreated and stood across the island from her. She draped her towel on her shoulder and sighed. "Cora- "

"Mom I love him and he loves me. Why can't you understand that?" I said exasperated.

"I get that sweetheart. I get that more than anyone. That's why I can't stand by and let you get hurt." She said.

"You loved my father at this age so why won't you let me have that?" I cried. The second I brought up my dad I regretted it.

"For that exact reason! Your father broke my heart when he left! He abandoned you, he abandoned me! He abandoned us." Her voice trailed off and I walked over to her and hugged her.

"I get dad hurt you and I'm sorry that he did but Jack isn't him. I know if he hurts me you'll be here to fix me so let me experience life and love more importantly." I pulled away so I could see her.

"Okay." She said quietly and sniffled. "Go."

"Thank you." I kissed her cheek and ran out of the house and down the driveway. I got into my black 1986 Ford f-150. I felt nervous but I shook it off and began the drive to Jack's house.

~~~~

When I reached Jack's street I parked the truck on the side of the road. I honked the horn twice and held it the second time till I saw his head poke out the door. "Cora?"

"I LOVE YOU!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"What?" He yelled. I motioned him to come him and he hesitated but then jogged out to me. "What are you doing here Cora?"