31-Day MCSM One Shot Challenge - July Edition 2018

Linger

Generated prompt of the day: Linger

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Jesse sat on her bed, staring at the window. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped around them. Her breathing steady and nearly silent.

She didn't move the gaze from the window, as she waited. Biting the inside of her lip in anticipation, until it felt like it would start bleeding. Her brown eyes desperate.

Please, arrive today.

Jesse's eyes flickered to the clock on her wall. Time was starting to drift past midday.

I can't stand another day alone here. Please come.

Jesse buried her head in her knees, a sorrowful sigh seeping through her lips. Her fingers gripped onto her knees, wrinkling the beige fabric of her overalls.

It was cold in the room, but Jesse didn't feel it. She just buried her head deeper, fighting the urge to start crying. She wanted to see them all so badly. Were they ever going to come?

Every year they came. Every year they all met up in this very building. Every year they'd laugh and smile, spending this one month out of the twelve there was, together.

Would this year be the same? Or would the event that took place eleven months ago change it all?

Jesse's hands moved up to her head, gripping her hair. She's been trapped in this building for months now, no one to talk to, no voices to listen to. Barely anybody came here.

Did they not know she was here?

The loneliness was starting to gnaw away at her mind, the desire to see another face tearing Jesse apart.

A strangled sob sounded from the pitiful ball Jesse had curled in to. Even if they came... would she be ready to see their faces again?

Oh how she wished she could rewind time. Change they way things went down that day. Perhaps then they could have prevented the spill of blood.

The familiar rattle of keys in a lock made Jesse's head jolt up. She's been waiting for this moment for so long... was she ready?

Jesse slowly got up from the bed, her hands starting to shake. Her feet made no sound on the wooden floor. With every step she took towards the window to peek out, the more she felt she wasn't ready.

Jesse peeked through the small slit between the curtains, seeing the porch far below her room. Two people stood at the door, one of them unlocking it. It felt like a cold hand wrapped around Jesse's heart at the sight.

It was Olivia and Axel. Neither of them looked the same as last. Olivia had her long hair tied up in a bun, instead of her signature two pigtails. Instead of his usual, goofy expression, Axel wasn't smiling.

"No, guys..." Jesse whispered, feeling her hopes sink. "I don't want it to go this way." Alas, her own grief was reflected in their eyes.

Olivia finished unlocking the door, leaning her forehead against it. Jesse could see that her friend didn't want to be there. Axel put his hand out, touching Olivia's shoulder. She looked back at him, they exchanged a few words, before she finally pushed open the door.

Jesse darted away from the window. She slipped out of her bedroom door, peering down the staircase. She stayed absolutely silent as she watched Axel and Olivia step into the main room of the Order hall.

"I didn't want to be here this year." Olivia said softly. "It holds too many memories."

"Come on, Liv." Axel said, putting his arm around her. "We all have to move on eventually. This is the best way to do it."