the only one // h.s

chapter 8

Harry's POV

I look past Brooke and onto the road ahead of us. The smile falls from my face as fast as it came when I realize what is happening. She is driving in the wrong lane and a huge truck is coming towards us.

"ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD" I frantically scream.

Everything seems to be moving too fast. It's like this is a scene from an action movie and someone just set it to fast forward. My mind is racing but luckily I snap out of the daze and leap into the front seat.

"TURN THE WHEEL" I scream at her. There has never been a time that I wish I could touch something more than now.

She finally puts together what is happening and turns the wheel hard to the right. We get in the correct lane just in time to hear the truck fly past us.

She maneuvers her car off the road and slowly pulls onto the side of a ditch.

Our breathing slows down after sitting in silence for a few minutes.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." I'm the one to break the silence.

"No. It's my fault. I shouldn't have reacted like that"

"And to answer your question, yes I got the job!" I hear the enthusiasm in her voice and can't help but smile.

"I need to get clothes for work tomorrow" she groans.

"Tomorrow? You're starting that soon?"

"They needed the position filled as soon as they could."

"There's a fairly good shop that's a few miles down the road, I bet you could find something there."

She pulls back onto the road and begins driving.

"Show me the way"

"Only if you promise to pay attention to the road this time." I try to keep a serious tone but end up laughing.

"I'll try." She laughs along with me.

-

When we get back to the house I realize something.

This is the happiest I have been in a long time.

Being with Brooke helps me forget about the girl who is no longer in my life. Or death, I guess is what I should call it.

Is this really death?

Is this what happens to everyone? Are they really still here, just unable to be seen?

But she can see me.

I walk into the backyard and follow the worn down path of grass that I used to walk on everyday. I make my way to the tallest pine tree and reach my hand into a hollowed out section in the trunk. I pull out an old brown leather book.

I flip to the beginning of my journal and read.

They told me that

to make her fall in love,

I had to make her laugh.

But every time she laughs.

I'm the one who ends up

falling in love.

After reading the poem I skim through the rest of the pages until I find the last entry.

I can hear your laugh and see you smiling up at me.

I can feel your presence; consuming me.

I listen to your promises.

You promise to never leave me,

and without any hesitation

I believe you.

I feel myself floating,

my heart swelling with contentment.

You lean in to kiss me and

as soon as your hand

touches my cheek

I wake up.

Suddenly the air tastes stale.

The emptiness inside me begins to grow.

Your promise is

still echoing in my mind.

Unconsciously,

I turn and look at your side of the bed;

And as it does every morning,

It seems to be silently mocking me.

The reality of having to exist

A whole other day

Without you is so dreadful.