Summer is over.
The young female walked through the forest. The words repeating in her mind.
It's all over.
Her eyes were vacant as she maneuvered her way around the trees, allowing her feet to guide her.
The noise of nature was blocked out with earphones, but even music couldn't drown out her own thoughts.
He's gone.
She shut her eyes and looked away. She grinded her teeth as she felt a sharp pang in her chest.
She knew a long time ago that this could happen.
But I thought he would win.
She knew that the best option would be for him to have lost.
But I didn't want it to happen like this.
She knew that he wouldn't have changed for good.
That wasn't in his nature.
But she loved him.
She loved him.
She still loves him.
The girl stood in front of the statue. She looked at it once before turning away. It hurt to look at it. She didn't know why she kept coming back here. She wanted to see him. She wanted to hear his voice.
She sat in front of it and leaned into it.
She wanted to feel his touch.
To know that he was still there.
But he wasn't, was he?
"Why so glum, flower crown?" A familiar laugh echoed in the air.
But she didn't look up.
This was a dream.
A dream that she's had multiple times.
It wasn't a dream that he conjured.
It was one of her own making.
Her own wish.
"Come, dance with me. Let's see you smile." He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto her feet. She let him, feeling as lifeless as a doll as he lead her in their dance. She was silent, her eyes focused on what was behind him. She couldn't bare to look at him.
"This is why I know you aren't actually him." She said softly, which made him stop.
He tilted his head to the side, appearing confused.
"He wouldn't do this for me so willingly." The man let go and took a step back with hands raised in the air. He gave a mock expression of being offended.
"Ouch! Your words are like daggers, flower crown! Do you think me so heartless that I wouldn't try to make you smile? Don'tcha know I care?"
"You always say the same things in this dream. Over and over." The girl began to raise her voice. "THIS ISN'T YOU! YOU AREN'T HIM! He's gone! And-- he's not coming back!" Her voice cracked. She finally looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "Why.... did you have to leave?"
He approached her and she took steps back to keep the distance between them, unaware of the stump that was behind her until she started to fall over. He caught her by the hand and pulled her close. Her face was against his chest. She could feel the rise and fall of it with his breathing.
"Jingle." He spoke, holding her tight.
She longed for this.
But it wasn't real. It wasn't REAL.
"Jingle." He said again, and she thought she heard some strain in his voice. "I... regret... many things. I've just been so focused on power I didn't realize what was truly important. It's because of me... that Will died... It's because of me... that you're crying." He pulled away and moved his hands up to cup her face. "Although I really like people in pain, I can't say I enjoy seeing your tears." He laughed. A pained laugh. Jingle's eyes widened with realization.
"This time the dream's different, huh?"
"B-" She started, but he cut her off with a kiss.
"I wanted to spend more time with you." He said after their lips parted, only to kiss her again before she could compose herself. "I wanted us to rule the world together." He kissed her once more before he pulled away. "It was nice dreaming with you." He was crying, guilty for his crimes. Regretting all those wasted days. "But it's time for us both to wake up and face reality." He let go. Jingled reached for him.
"Bill!" She shouted on the top of her lungs.
But he was gone.
And she was awake.
