Gym Class Love [Book 1]

Goodbye My Lover

Mr. Way's P.O.V

*EPILOGUE*

I stared bleakly at the traffic light in from of me. It had been three years since Jesse and I, and there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't relive that phone call, the crying, or the sound of the accelerator. Despite his wishes, I couldn't let him go. I haven't loved another since him. I doubt I ever will. Moving on is hard, when all you do is think about the person you aren't supposed to think about. I loved him. No, that's not right. I love him. It should be present tense because I refuse to believe he's really gone. I refuse to believe that I will never get to hold him, see him smile or laugh, or tell me that I'm all he's ever wanted. The tears were blurring the road as I pulled into the cemetery and parked by the road. I sat there for a few moments then got out. To say this was routine for me would be a horrible thing, but it was. Every year, on the anniversary of his passing I came to see Jess. I walked up the small hill to his tombstone, only to find I wasn't alone. "What are you girls doing here?" I asked with surprise evident in my voice, wiping the tears from my face. There was a tall girl with a beanie and skinny jeans on. The next girl, was considerably shorter than the first. She had on a shirt with some band on it and skinny jeans. "Mr. Way, I'm so sorry." the taller of the two girls said. "Amanda? Shayla?" I questioned. They both nodded and came to stand by me. "But, you guys left after high school and no one's heard from you since then." I said a little confused now. "Just because we left doesn't mean we didn't keep in touch. We still talked to Nicole and Lesley." Shayla told me with Amanda nodding along. They weren't my best students, getting on my nerves a lot, but it meant a lot that they had come back to see Jess. "I never knew we would be coming back for this." Shayla said while looking at the trees. Amanda shook her head. We stood in comfortable silence for awhile until Shayla gently reminded Amanda that they had a flight to catch. I hated to see them go, and I wanted to ask them to stay and maybe go get a drink and catch up. I still didn't know what they had gotten themselves into after high school. Shayla gave me a hug and told Amanda that she was going to go get their car. However, instead of hugging me Amanda locked eyes with me. She looked at me for a few seconds then turned to go, but as she was walking past she stopped to whisper in my ear. "I know you loved him, but you have to try to move on for your sake and his. He wouldn't want to see you like this." she whispered, then walked away. I was alone again with nothing but my thoughts.

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I spent most of my day standing at his graveside under the trees that had just began to sway in the early winter breezes. It wasn't cold yet but it would be soon. I was telling him stories about what had been going on in my life lately. I still couldn't bring myself to tell him that I had quit teaching and had gone back to school to be an accountant. Jess always teased me about my proficiency in math. I liked to imagine what he would say. It would probably be something along the lines of "Why the hell would you want to do something so boring?", then he would laugh. I didn't realize I was crying until my face felt cold when the next breeze came. I felt a jacket get draped over my shoulder. I turned half expecting to see the girls but instead it was Richard. "I knew you'd be here." he said with a sad smile. I tried to pull his jacket off. "I don't need your jacket. I know what you're trying do and I've told you-" I was cut off by his halfhearted laugh. "Look, I know Chris. Jesse was the only one, he was always the one. Years ago when we were dating he was the one, I saw it from that first moment you told me about the kiss. I have to admit I hated him there for awhile, but I realize now you two were meant to be. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that I'm done chasing you." he said it with so much sadness in his voice it was like he was drowning. "I find myself actually missing him now." he finished. I looked over to see tears streaming down Richards face. That's when I remembered that despite their problems Jesse and Richard were friends. "Hey, do you want to go and grab something to eat? I haven't ate all day..." I trailed. Richard gave a laugh. "You know Jess would beat you silly if he was here, he was always getting on to you for not eating, "You're a grown man can't you tell when you're hungry?", he'd say." Richard laughed as he retold the memory walking to his car. We agreed on a new restaurant in town and that we would meet there in 15 minutes. Richard left first and I cast a glance back at my lovers resting place.

Jesse Young

Date of birth-Date of death

"Goodbye my lover. Goodbye my friend. You have been the one. You have been the one for me."

I love you, Jesse. Goodbye.

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AN- So there's the end. It seems bittersweet to me but maybe something else to you.... feel free to comment your thoughts. Once again sequel or not and what did you think?