Learning To Let Go

Love Always Comes First

Isabella’s POV

I felt my arms fall limply to my side as I stared at Aaron’s retreating figure. I turned to look at Jacob who kissed my forehead and said, “Go.” I stood up and slipped into the pair of slippers at the foot of my bed and followed Aaron out of the room. He was walking so slowly that I had managed to catch up with him in no time at all.

“Aaron,” I said, placing my hand on his shoulder. He turned around and gave me a hollow smile.

“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t explain it to you that day on the train. No offence, but I’ve never really been into you. It’s just... I’ve been into Jacob for a long time, forever,” I said, giving him the explanation I owed him.

“It’s okay,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “I get it. You want to spend some time with him before you well... die.” The way he said it as a fact made my heart ache. The boy who loved me for nearly all his life would never have a chance with me before he dies.

Tears formed in my eyes and I said, “You know you’ll never have a chance with me.” He nodded, eyes downcast.

“But I’ll give you a compromise,” I said softly. He looked up, and I could see the faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“Compromise?” he asked, his eyes meeting my gaze. I nodded and said, “It’s not fair you’ll never have chance with me. To me, everyone deserves a chance. Even you Aaron.” He looked at the floor, his eyes getting moist. I stepped forward and tilted his chin up, our green eyes locked.

“Look, I can’t promise you anything. But I can give you one last kiss,” I whispered, holding back tears myself. There was a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“Last kiss?” he asked, barely audible. I nodded as I bent down and pressed my lips to his. I could feel his shock, but slowly, he regained his composure and kissed me back.

After what seemed like an eternity, on m behalf, he stepped back, eyes glowing. “Well...” he said, trailing off awkwardly. 

“I gotta go,” I said, blushing. I ran back to my room to find Jacob, sitting there with a cup of hot chocolate.

“I need to enjoy it while it lasts,” he said answer to the questioning look I gave him. I hopped into bed next to him and put my head on his shoulder.

“I wish you would stop saying that so calmly,” I said into his arm. “I’m stating a fact Isabella, and you know it. We have less than 20 days to live, and I’m gonna live it to the fullest, and you are too. Okay?” he said, planting a kiss on top of my head. I nodded and pulled the blanket up to my chin.

My eyelids were getting heavy, and I stifled a yawn. Jacob caught me though, and he switched off the bed side lamp and saying, “Sleep Isabella. We need to get up early for training tomorrow.” I cuddled closer to him and closed my eyes. I fell asleep to his calm voice singing the song I knew so well, The Hanging Tree.