Left Alone

Say Goodbye

Chapter Eighteen

Jesse's POV

Sky had been gone for over an hour talking with Kane. I wondered if she was all right. I knew that having him back meant a lot to her. If he hurt her....

No. He promised. I knew that Kane never broke his promises. Even so, finding out that Sky was a hostile was a huge shock to him. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't want to be with her anymore. Either way, Sky would be leaving tonight.

Was it so wrong that I wanted her to stay? We had hung out a lot this past week. I thought we were friends. It was like she was a part of this family. I could see it so easily. She was the only one who was up for Sal's ridiculous adventures. She took care of Angel as if she knew how special the girl was to me. Hue had gotten close to her as well, but Hue could get along with anyone. The point being that Sky belonged here with us. I could tell that she was happy here. Her guard had slowly slipped away until it was just this young girl, happy and relaxed. I loved to watch that girl. But now that Kane was back, that would all change. She would become that hard ass again. She had to leave to go find her brother. I wanted to help her, but my responsibility was here. My family was everything to me and they were safe as long as we all stayed in the tree. Besides, despite my budding friendship with the outsider, she was still a threat. My family had to come first. It was best if she left.

"Hey," Hue called as she entered my room. I ran my fingers through my longish hair, still frustrated over what I wanted and what was best for the group. It didn't escape Hue's notice. "You're thinking about her, aren't you?"

I sighed. This was not a conversation I wanted to have, but if I could trust anyone, it would be Hue. "Kane said he wouldn't hurt her, but you and I both know how he looked when he found out the truth."

"He won't kill her," Hue promised, looking at me strangely. I almost winced. "He probably just has some questions, is all. You shouldn't be worried."

"I'm not," I lied. Hue continued to watch me closely and I struggled not to squirm under her knowing gaze.

"You like her, don't you?" If Hue was anything, it was blunt. I desperately tried to dodge the question.

"Don't you?" I asked, hoping to counter her question. She glared.

"That's not what I meant and you know it," she snapped. At my lack of a response, she huffed and got right in my face. "You like her. You want to be with her. You want her to like you and be with you. Not Kane."

I flinched. "Stop, Hue."

"I just don't understand why you picked her." At the rude tone, my gaze snapped to hers.

"I didn't know it would offend you so much," I replied, watching her carefully. She rolled her eyes.

"She's trouble, Jesse, and you know it. She's a risk to everyone here. Our family."

"I know that," I said, my voice rising in anger. "I know what she is."

"She will only bring agents to our front door."

"I said I know!"

"Then why do I feel like it's not getting through to your head?"

"It is!" I yelled. "It is."

Hue quieted for a minute. I tried to figure out what was going on in her head. After so many years together, I felt like I knew her like I knew myself. But as she shook her head, I realized I got nothing.

"It's your decision," she said quietly. "Just know that you're not the only one involved, okay?"

"I understand," I promised. There was no decision. I'd come to terms with my feelings for Sky. It would be nonexistent.

"She wants to talk to us," Hue said, walking towards the door. Her hand landed lightly on the doorframe before she sent me one last look. "She's saying goodbye."

"And Kane?" I asked, my throat constricting.

"He's with her," she responded. "They're okay, I guess. It's a little awkward, but I think it will be fine."

"So she's okay?" I pressed, relief already filling my veins. With the relief came my heart pounding in my ears as my breath came out in a rush.

"Yes, she's fine, thank god." Hue smiled before making her exit.

I met the group in the common room. Sky and Kane were there, the distance between them obvious. I watched Sky, who's eyes never strayed from mine. Her bag was packed already and by the tears in Minny's eyes while Sal patted her on the back, I'd guessed that most of the goodbyes had been said. Kane glared at everyone while shuffling his feet back and forth. His animosity towards my family sparked my anger, but I kept it in check, for Sky's sake. She smiled and made her way towards me. I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. She did this.

"So this is it?" I wanted to know. She nodded, looking sad. My gaze dropped to my feet. I didn't know what to say to her. There was so much on my mind that it just wouldn't all come out. My mouth opened and closed several times as I tried to find the words. Eventually, though, she got tired of waiting for me.

"I have to go," she said quietly. I nodded. "I'd say that I'd come and visit, but I don't think that will be possible."

"Why not?" I challenged. She shrugged, looking uncomfortable.

"After I get Star, we have to go take care of some family stuff."

I knew better than to pester her with questions, despite my curious mind. So instead, I smiled at her and nodded. "Do what you have to. It'll be fine. Besides, I wouldn't let you back anyway." She laughed, but I wasn't joking. This was our final goodbye.

"Goodbye, Jesse," she said sadly. I nodded, unable to come up with any words of comfort or wisdom for either one of us. This was it. She turned away from me and the grief I felt was like no other. My heart constricted painfully until I was certain it had stopped. Dread filled every cell of my being and it took everything in me not to call her back and beg her to stay here, with me. I watched her leave with Kane until they reached the edge of the meadow. As she did before, Sky stopped and waved. The pain in my chest intensified. I couldn't breathe. For the first time in my life, I had a feeling of being left alone. The idea of never seeing that beautiful troublemaker was incomprehensible. I needed her as much as I needed my family. Regardless of the fact that she was Kane's, that she put my family at risk, that I'd only known her a week, that I'd never see her again, I cared for that girl. Hue was right. I wanted to be with her and wanted her to want to be with me. It took until the moment when she was already long gone before I realized my true feelings for Sky.

"Jesse?" Angel said tentatively. "Are you all right?" No. I wasn't. But that didn't matter. I was going to make this right.

"I will be," I promised her. Turning to her, I gripped her hand, as I had a habit of doing. "Tell everyone to get their things."

"We're going after Sky, aren't we?" she asked wisely, a sly smile gracing her beautiful face. I grinned at her.

"Hurry up now. They have a head start." She giggled and raced off.

For the first time since I found out about the apocalypse, I had hope. I felt like maybe things were turning around. Even if I was wrong, at least I would still have the love and support of my family. It's what I needed. I needed her. I turned back to look at where she had left, feeling determined. This was not goodbye.