One over Thirteen | ✓

One

"Sit back, get a snack and listen to the story of why I decided to suicide", her usually sweet voice sounded hoarse, grief was etched on her tone and fake happiness masked her every syllable. The second those words hit my ear drum, I wanted to go in and ask her what was wrong, who she was talking to, if it were all for a school play or god forbid, if she'd actually meant those words.

My mind was calm, instructing me to casually open the door as I'd initially planned to. My heart was racing, circulation was at full speed, telling me to run in and give her the tightest hug she'll ever receive. I was in a juxtaposition with my heart opposing my mind. I decided that for once I was going to listen to my heart.

However, the minute I flung the door open and the minute I saw her pretty eyes, I was paralyzed. I just stood there admiring her hazel irises while she sat there in shock. "Clay", she tried smiling. It didn't work.

"Hey Hannah", I squeaked.

"Come in", she mumbled, signaling me to shut the door and sit on her bed. I did as I was told. "So what brings you here?"
She sounded tired.

"Ah.. geography project" I let out a sigh. "We were meant to make a presentation on Rivers"

"Right. Hold on", she turned away and shoved her microphone and cassettes into a cardboard box and pushed it away behind her desk. She turned to look at me.

I was ready, with my laptop out and booted up. She made her way to sit near me. Her bed dipped, signaling her arrival. It felt like all of the air was sucked out of my lungs, tingles made their way down my spine and left me gasping for oxygen. She'd always made me feel this way.

We worked on the project for two hours, being done with a little more than half the presentation. I decided to ask her about the cassettes."Hannah, what were those cassettes for?"

A flash of fear crossed her features and she then regained her composure."School project", she said dismissively. I could tell she was lying.

"Tell me more about this project" I pressed further.

"It's for a history project", she quickly said.

"We're in the same history class, I never knew about this project"

"Clay, forget it", she sounded as if she was about to cry. It pained to be the cause of her saddened voice.

"Hannah, I heard what you said... into the microphone", a single tear escaped from her right eye, meandering across her face. I mentally smacked myself for making her cry. "I'm sorry, please don't cry", I was at the verge of tears.

She leaned into my left arm, her head carefully placed on my shoulder. I draped my arms around her and pulled her closer. In that moment everything felt perfect.
"I want to die, Clay"

"Don't", I choked out. I was embracing her tighter than an elastic rubber band around thin hair.

"I have to die Clay.", she was angry. Looking straight into my eyes with a pained expression."There are thirteen reasons why I have to end my lif-", I cut her off.

Without thinking, I smacked my lips on hers and left it to linger for a few moments. The warmth was spreading throughout my body. My brain felt cloudy. An abundance of fireworks lit up in every fiber of my being.

We pulled apart, I could feel her salty tears on my lips."You may have thirteen reasons, but I have one. Us. Stay for us."
______________

NOTE:

Thanks for reading, if anyone is reading that is. Also, please check out my other stuff.

-Kam.