His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

~15~

             The season shifted in the blink of an eye, the warmth of summer faded away bringing the death of fall. By surrounding myself with supportive friends the pain I had felt the last couple months faded away as well, dying along side nature.

            Becca and Charles's relationship was flourishing like the flowers in spring. Growing stronger with each passing day. Sean had become my backbone the last several weeks, ensuring I was always looking ahead. Isaac and I avoided one another successfully, not a single word to be shared. After all, what was there to say? Hey, just thought I'd inform you that you shattered my heart and you continue to every day I see you with that bitch. Don't worry though, I'll be fine. Have a nice day. Like no! I wasn't going to provide him with the satisfaction of knowing I was breaking inside. I needed to be strong. Even if that meant never talking to him again.

            The football team progressed through the playoffs with ease, the state championship game quickly approaching. The cheer team was pulling late night practices so we could keep in top shape for the games and for our competition season which came in spring. My skin felt like ice as we plowed through our final run of the night, my lungs burning from the frigid air. The mix ended and I collapsed with a breathy laugh, throwing my fist towards the sky in victory. We were finally done and could head home!

            "Em, get your lazy ass up!"

            "I will just give me a little," I giggled as I rolled to my knees to sit back on my heals before pressing my chest towards the earth below.

            "We can do yoga at your place! Come on let's go, especially since we have to walk. I'm so mad your mom's car is in the shop, I freakin' love your jeep."

            "I know, but she has to use it for work until she gets hers back."

            She walked over and lightly pushed me over with her foot, "I will not repeat myself. I will leave you here and meet you at the house."

            "Okay, okay," I dragged myself up to my feet. "I'm coming." Scooping my bag up I jogged up to her, "You really would have left me here huh?"

            "Hell yeah! It's colder than shit and my tits are freezing." She smiled wide as she threw her arm around my shoulders. "When's your mom getting home?"

            "Not sure. She has to prepare for court tomorrow so she's working late in the office looking over evidence and stuff. Gabriel won't be home either, I guess he has some missing person case."

            "I love them both, but they always seem so busy now."

           "They are but it's okay. They still find time for me and that's what matters," I smiled genuinely happy. My mom worked hard to pass the BAR and now worked at a private law firm as a prosecutor and Gabriel had worked his way through the ranks to become a private investigator. I was so incredibly proud of both of them. They found a way to go above and beyond supporting us financially, but they also always made time to be there for me when I needed them. I never had to question their love for me, they would drop anything and everything if they knew I needed them. I always came first.

            We chatted along the way, our arms looped through one another in an attempt to share our warmth. As we passed Isaac's house, I refused to look in its direction. My ears perked to attention however as a low painful groan was carried by the breeze. The chain around my heart clenched warning me not to look, so I didn't. My feet continued to move forward but I was suddenly yanked back by the arm still connect to Becca's.

           "Come on we're almost there," I pleaded.

            "Is he okay?" She was looking at the porch where I assumed, he sat. Yet I still didn't allow myself to steal a glance. I couldn't become invested again. Not if I wanted to heal.