bleeding out.

prologue.

"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again."

-Charles Dickens

prologue.

It was a frigid night on November 29, 1855. Young Jane slowly padded along the dirt path behind her mother and father. She quietly began humming a tune as a distraction from the unfriendly winter of Jonesboro, Arkansas. She didn't seem to notice the cold too much, though. She thought it strange to be bundled up in three dresses, but she just could not pick her favorite. She didn't want to leave anything behind. Her family was moving to Illinois for a “fresh start,” as her father, Charles, had told her only two days earlier. He also mentioned to tell keep this to herself, and to tell no one, but Jane knew she could trust one individual with her secret. Harry.

As she shoved her petite hands into her pockets, she noticed a dim light in the distance. It wavered back and forth as it began to come closer. A painful creaking of a rusted handle was emitted from the unknown object. Finally, she could make out a body that was about twenty feet off. Her eyes instantly lit up as she put the pieces together and recognized the familiar curls. She opened her arms and started running as fast as her legs could handle towards the figure. Her dear friend, Harry, had come to say goodbye. As the two children reached each other, they plummeted head first into their embrace.

When they pulled away after what seemed like hours, Jane could feel the tears swelling in her eyes. Harry quickly wiped them away with his arctic fingers and held out a small gift for Jane.

“Remember me. Never forget all of the laughs we've shared, the mischief we've made, the memories we've created...” A bantam grin creeped upon his face, “Never. I'll miss you, Jane Ellis.”

And with that, he quickly handed her a small golden locket. Inside was a picture of the two taken only a few months back. Jane gave Harry the biggest smile she could draft at such a devastating time.

As she opened her mouth, the words tumbled out in a mere whisper. “I shall never forget you. I'll miss you, Harry Styles.”

Their eyes glistened as the moon light radiated the bright green pigments. Neither of them wanted to let go, but Jane was losing sight of her parents, and the night was selfishly devouring the time away. They reluctantly parted and started on their ways. Harry began a heavy jog back to his home, and Jane turned her back and advanced toward her mother and father. She decided it necessary to twist her head back for the last time, and take in the sight of the only thing she ever felt proud to call hers. A softened sound in the distance was everything she could hear at the moment. It shouted, “I love you always, Jane Ellis!”

Her breathing picked up, and she felt as though there was not enough air in the world to suffice her lacking. Everything around her had became a blur except that small silhouette in the distance. It took every bone in her body to tear her eyes away from Harry and not return once more in his arms.

The only thing keeping her going was the feeling of his reappearance in her existence. That belief found in the interior her mind speaking with such severe gentleness that most people miss it. The little voice inside her head telling her they would find each other again, and they would be together, somehow.

author's note //

hey guys!! so, this story is based during the civil war, but for the first few chapters i'll be explaining their lives up to their present time. there will be mild language in this, so don't say there's no warning! and this story is my first, so if you have any critiques, let me know! one more thing, i want to say a MASSIVE thank you to natalie (weyhey_styles) for making our amazing cover! thank you to all the readers as well, i hope you like it! please comment and vote! ily all!! xxx

anna