Free: A Jc Caylen Sequel

Chapter Thirty Six

Jc's POV

Landing in Franklin was strange, the airport was small and quiet, something very different from most places I had traveled to. It wasn't until then that I realized I had no where to go now. The best I could do was wonder around town until I found Skylar. I had no leads, no hotel, no friends, I was on my own. I noticed a couple girls as I exited the airport pointing at me and whispering as they slowly walked towards me. I walked faster, not that I don't love my fans because I truly do, more than anything. But I was on a mission that couldn't be delayed.

The town was small, I debated asking a few people if they knew Skylar or her location. But I didn't want to sound like a creep, I didn't want to hear peoples stories about what had happened to her family, and I didn't want to get dead end answers. This was something I had to do on my own. Though I wished I had my Pennyboard to make this a bit quicker, I was still making good time. It was starting to get dark however and  I was worried I wouldn't find her tonight.

I was coming up the sidewalk when I saw an open field, I debated climbing over the short wooden fence and cutting through, it would safe a lot of time. I looked behind me at the street, cars moving quickly, no one would notice. So I did, and I ran like a bat outta hell. I thought I was being slick that I was saving so much time until I came down the first slight hill and saw a cemetery before me. Shit, I thought about turning back and taking the sidewalk but I kept going. Something was telling me that this had to be faster.

I ran for what felt like ages until I saw an elderly woman kneeling in front of a grave. I slowed to a walk not wanting to disturb her grieving. I tried to not draw attention to myself as I looked around, it was some what creepy and only got creepier as the sun set. I heard heavy cries coming from the distance, they only got louder as I walked forward. I felt awful, that poor girl needed someone to comfort her. I started to pick up the pace a bit, I didn't want to be asked questions about what I was doing here.

I started to run again, I closed my eyes for a moment taking a deep breath. Everything will be ok, I told myself. I opened my eyes to see a girl laying on the ground in front of me, I tripped flying over her and tumbling on the ground. I laid still for a moment, am I alive, am I hurt, I thought quickly. I realized I was fine when I didn't feel the slightest bit of pain, though I was a bit embarrassed.

"Whoa I almost took off your feet there! Almost cut em right off," I laughed trying to regain composure. I stood slowly, the awkward silence told me that this girl was not the joking type. "I'm sorry, I just really need to get somewhere. Well maybe not somewhere exactly I need to get to someone." I looked down as I brushed the grass and dirt off of my clothes, absorbing the awkward silence that once again appeared. I looked up to make eye contact with the girl hoping that she wasn't ready to call the cops on me or anything.

"Jc?" Skylar said through tears.

"Skylar!" I yelled coming at her for a tight embrace, yet she pushed me back.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned looking down.

"Looking for you," I said reaching out and taking her hand, though she pulled it away.

"Who told you I was here?"

"Your aunt, Andrea gave me your address. You lived so close and you never told me?"

"You got a girlfriend and you never told me!" She yelled back quickly.

"Can you at least let me explain? You have yet to hear my side of this story." I paused as she nodded before looking back at the ground, tears streaming down her face. "Skylar, I was devastated when you left. Mainly because I didn't know why you would leave when everything was going so well. I was heartbroken for the longest. Until I realized something, I couldn't let myself become so miserable because I had just as much right to be happy as anyone else. So I put myself into my videos, I hung out with friends, traveled, went on tour! I was happy again. Yes I met Lia and we became great friends but everyone including me and her knew that it wouldn't last forever because there truly was only one girl I wanted to be with. I knew better than to think that Lia and I would work out because deep down there was always something missing. You." I paused again taking a deep breath. "You're my girl Sky. I think even you know that. I've been looking for that hoodie for months by the way."

"Jc," she paused a slight smile appeared across her face. "I'm damaged. I'm like the dented box at the grocery store that everyone moves out of the way to get the better one."

"I would buy that dented box. I love you Skylar. I haven't been the same without you. Please let me walk through life with you. People dream about having the type of connection we do. I used to think that life was mapped out, that you followed a path and everything that's meant to happen does. But I know now that if it's meant to be it will be but sometimes you have to go after the things that you want. Skylar, I want us to be whole again." I felt a few tears fall from my eyes. I was afraid to hear her response.

"Jc, I loved you all this time. I've been crazy about you. I thought that you had given up on me that you didn't want me anymore. But after hearing everything I think I was the one who almost gave up on you. I believed that you found someone else and that it was the end when I should have known better. God does have a plan for us, even if you don't believe so. I know God gave me a second chance at life for a reason, so I could find you."

"Skylar, even if things hadn't happened the way that they did. Even if you never came to Cali and I never met you the way I did. I would have found you. Even if I never knew your name, one way or another I would have found you. You and I were made to find each other. You're my forever and I would have found you one way or another." I reached out for another tight embrace this time I recieved one in return. I felt a warm sensation flow through my body, love.

"Jc?" she said slowly backing away. "I want you to meet my parents and my little brother Noah."

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Carson and hey Noah! I've heard so much about you guys. I really wish I could have met you all sooner. But Skylar can be scattered brained!" I glanced back to give her a smile. "I guess I should just come out and say it, I love your daughter! I love her more than I ever thought humanly possible. I will take care of her for as long as I live. She is spectacular and has something special about her, that's for sure. You don't have to worry about her, I will keep her safe and I will love her always. Thank you for raising such a beautiful, smart, funny, wonderful girl."

I turned back toward Skylar, "Do you think I made a good first impression?"

"I think they love you almost as much as I do." she smiled hugging me tight.