Class 19864

Chapter 41: Brook

Song: The Last Time by Taylor Swift Ft. Gary Lightbody

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Chapter 41- Brook

I don’t ever want tonight to end. Tonight is the last time I’m ever going to spend time with Austin. The last time I’ll ever speak to him. The last time he’ll ever hold me in his arms. The last time we’ll ever kiss. And I don’t think I ever want there to be a last time. I meet Austin under the big tree in the rose garden. He’s smiling but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes so I know he’s not genuinely happy. There’s a sense of finality about this meeting for both of us. Neither of us says anything. We just sit under the tree, wrapped in each other’s embrace, watching the starts dance across the sky.

“Look!” Austin cries, sitting bolt upright. “A shooting star! Make a wish Brookie.”

I manage a small smile. I don’t believe in making wishes but this one time I try it.

Please let Austin be okay. Please.

I open my eyes and look over and Austin who has his eyes closed.

“What did you wish for?” He asks when he opens his eyes.

“I wished for you to be okay. What about you?” I ask.

“I wished for you to not miss me too much.”

I smile. “No amount of wishing will determine how much I will miss you.”

Austin smiles. “I hope you don’t miss me too much. Your new boyfriend will not be happy.”

My smile falters and before I can help it I’m crying.

“No I’m sorry. Brook what did I say?” Austin asks, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“Don’t. Please don’t talk like it’s okay for you to die.” I beg.

“Brook.” Austin says.

“I don’t want another boyfriend. I don’t want anyone else but you. Don’t pretend like it’s okay if you die.”

He shakes his head. “There’s nothing we can do. We have to sacrifice some things. My life is a small thing I can give up. I am going to do it. You have to let me. You have to accept it.”

I sigh. “I don’t want to. But I know you feel like you have to do this. So I’m going to. Because that’s how much I love you. I love you enough to let you die for this.”

He smiles. “Thank you Brook. I love you to the moon and beyond. And this is for our greater good. Don’t ever forget that.”

I nod. “I don’t think I ever will.”

              When it’s time to go, I hold onto Austin for as long as I can.

“Greater good. Remember?” He says.

I nod and try to suppress the tears but they come anyways. And this time I let them. Austin starts to cry too and as he kisses me that final time I remember something he once told me.

There are so many ways to be brave. And right now I have to be the kind of brave that grits their teeth and carries on, even when everything is against me. Even when I have nothing left to live for. I have to keep fighting. For us. For me. For Austin.