Love Found

Chapter Sixteen

Hunter

     "I know...I know, Hunter..." He mumbles as he holds my hand and snuggles closer. "I don't want to close my eyes..."

     "I'll be here when you wake up." I whisper and kiss his forehead. "I promise..."

     He stays awake a little longer and then closes his eyes.

     I do the same and fall asleep.

     I squeeze Jasper's hand all the way to the airport, not letting go at any time.

     "Hunter, concentrate on driving-"

     "I'm fine..." I relax as I park. I don't let go, tears finally filling my eyes. "I'm fine." I say and compose myself. I get out and rush to Jazz's side and help him out. I hold his hand until we get inside. I see his flight and look at him. "Be safe and call, okay?" I pet his cheek.

     He stands on his tip-toes and I hold onto his hips as he kisses me, showing how much it hurt.

     I keep our lips locked for as long as I can before breaking apart and breathing heavily. "Jasper Collins..."

     "Yes, Hunter Rue?"

     "I love you..." I whisper as I back away. 

     His eyes go wide and he turns when the person flying with him taps him on the shoulder.

     I run to my car and get in. I drive home, sobbing in pain. I get home and slam the door.

     My mom opens her arms while walking towards me.

     I hug her and she lets me cry. I hold onto her as we move to the couch and she just lets me cry on her shoulder.

     "It's alright..." She whispers and kisses the top of my head.

     "I wasn't ready to let go!" I yell and she holds me closer.

     "I know..."

     I quiet down after an hour and relax my entire body.

     Mom lays me down and goes into the kitchen. "I know you won't want to, but you need to eat." She brings in a fresh bowl of soup. "I finished making it when you came home..." She sits next to me and sighs.

     "No thank you..."

     "You need to eat while you're in this stage or you won't eat for weeks." She sits me up and coaxes me into eat a few spoonfuls.

     I take the soup from her and eat a couple more spoonfuls then lay back down. "Can that be it for now?"

     She nods and points to the water and aspirin on the table. "You can take that when you need to." She goes up to her room once she gets me pillows, blankets, and clothes so I won't have to go upstairs.

     I stare at the tv and curl up with a pillow or two and a fluffy blanket. He's gone...

     I wake up with a headache and see the aspirin on the table. I should've taken it last night. I take it and go to the kitchen. I read the time off the stove. 5:27pm. I groan and get some more soup, then go back to the couch. I sit down and eat a bit more than last night, then stop, feeling sick to my stomach.

     My mom gets home and sees me. "Hey...how are you feeling?"

     "Like shit." I ignore the fact I just cursed in front of my mother. I don't curse often, especially in front of her.

     She shrugs it off and nods. "Okay." She goes to her room, obviously and physically tired.

     I look at my phone. It has to be dead...

Jasper

     I don't unpack my stuff. I just sit in the exact middle of the bed, in the room, in the house, in the new country I have to now adapt to for the new year and a half. My birthday is in a couple months... I groan and rub my eyes.

Let's meet my family:

First cousins at age fifteen: Lucas and Christian.

Second cousin at age nineteen: Dylan.

Guardians: Tina Thomas and Bob Thomas.

     I hear footsteps and look up to see Dylan come in with toast. "I'm not hungry..."

     "Just take a few bites and rest." He says in a calm tone and turns to leave.

     "What do I call them?"

     He turns back to me. "Mom, dad, aunt, uncle, brothers, cousins...whatever works."

     "Thanks." I say as he leaves. I relax on my bed and look at my phone. I put it down with disappointment. Why hasn't he texted me yet? I sniffle and curl up, tired. I reply the scene at the airport so many times in my head. I get up an rush to the bathroom. I close the door and puke in the toilet. Perfect. I fall to my knees as my entire body shakes. I want to go back to Hunter...

     A knock on the door sounds as Christian comes in. "You alright?" He asks as he sits next to me, holding a bottle of water and two pills. "It's for nausea..."

     I take them and smile. "Thanks..." I stay there for a minute.

     "Who did you have to leave?"

     "Look, kid-"

     "I'm barely a year younger than you..."

     I chuckle. "Who ever said I left someone?"

     "You just threw up."

     "My boyfriend."

     "Did you break up?"

     I shake my head. "He wouldn't let us..."

     He smiles. "That's generous...and selfless. Take care of yourself so you can see him in a good condition, okay?"

     I nod as he leaves me alone. I clean myself up and go back to my room. I lay down and sigh, not ready for this huge change.

Author's Note

     AHHH, my heart broke writing this, forgive me!