His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

Prologue

"Isaac Holland!"

I swallowed the lump in my throat as my name boomed throughout the auditorium. Standing tall with my head held high I walked across the stage to receive my certificate of achievement for successfully finishing the eighth grade. As I walked onto the stage, I shook the superintendent's hand before making my way down the line of adults, repeating the same action. I practically leapt down the steps on the opposite side, barreling into my closest friend, Emily Lahey.

"Holland," she screeched while flinging her arms around my neck and pressing her soft lips against my cheek. "We did it," she whispered in my ear before pulling away. The smile she wore was the most beautiful I had ever seen. Her green eyes gleamed at me with excitement.

In an attempt to not think about my closest friend in that light, I shoved my thoughts to the side. "Yeah, we sure did," I finally responded with a smirk.

"Are you going to the dance after this thing is over?"

I did my best to ignore the pleading look in her emerald eyes and let me tell you something it was not easy. "I can't Em, you know I fly out super early in the morning for the football camp out in Texas." When our row was done being called, we followed the others and returned to our seats. The look of disappointment on her face all but crushed me. I hated letting her down more than anything. However, I refused to expose my feeling for her. I was unmistakably in love with her. I suppose I had been since the moment I laid eyes on her when we first met at the age of eight.

"I can't believe you're letting me attend the dance alone," she mumbled. Sticking out her bottom lip she kept her focus on the stage, refusing to meet my gaze.

With a grin I nudged her with my shoulder. "Becca will be with you so don't be dramatic."

"B-but she isn't you." She breathed out forcefully clearly annoyed with me.

"I think you'll survive without me." I teased while poking at her ribs.

"Or I could die of detox!"

I had to stifle my laugh to not steal the attention from the others. "Are you saying I'm your addiction, Em?"

"You're damn straight I am," she whispered in response as she laid her head on my shoulder.

To return the affection I leaned my head against hers, and at that moment a flash shined bright in our eyes stealing my attention. Glancing over I spotted my mom wearing the biggest smile I had ever seen, her camera pointed directly at the two of us. Shooting her a warning look, I begged her to play it cool. She was the only one I could talk to about my feeling for Emily. I knew if I shared these facts with anyone else, they would surely make their way to her ears and I refused to risk that. I refused to risk losing what we had. I refused to risk losing her.

Emily's cold fingers were laced with my warm ones. The contrast electric as we stood with our friends outside the gymnasium. We were discussing our plans for the summer which I was thrilled about because most of my plans included Emily.

"There you are!" I heard my mom's soothing voice call as she made her way over to my circle of friends. "We should head out sweetie say your goodbyes, okay?" She glanced around the group as she spoke, "You all have fun tonight, okay? Goodnight." She waved goodbye before walking away to meet my father at the car while all of my friends shouted goodnight after her.

"Well that's my cue. I'll see you all in a few weeks." I unraveled my fingers from Emily's to turn and walk away but before I could process what was happening a familiar set of fingers laced with my own. I glanced over and sure enough Emily was walking beside me. "Already suffering from withdrawals?"

"Maybe." It was dark, but I noted the slightest hint of red brush her cheeks. "Just promise you will text me every day, you have to promise!"

"I promise." I began to smirk but was interrupted by her lips meeting mine for a brief moment. Before I could respond she pulled away and skipped back towards the school. I called after her, "What was that?"

"Can't I say goodbye to my best friend?" she yelled over her shoulder. I stared at her in awe before she disappeared into the crowd of people.

I had to wipe the cheesy look off my face before climbing into the car but by the look on my mom's face I knew she had seen us. "Did she just kiss you?" Enthusiasm thick in her voice.

"It was nothing mom." I laughed nervously. "She was just saying goodbye to her 'best friend'." I repeated Em's words, placing emphasis on the last two. "It was nothing. I'm not going to read too much into it."

"Well why not?"

"Because mom, she's...I don't know. She could have any guy. She just keeps growing more and more into herself. I see the way guys look at her, I can't compete."

She unbuckled her seatbelt despite the fact that my father was now driving down the highway. "Sweetheart you don't really believe that do you?"

"Honey, please put the belt back on."

"Hold on, I want to look our son in the eyes when I say this."

"I really insist you put it back on," he stated sternly.

"-and I said hold on. Isaac, you are incredible. She may be growing into herself but so are you. That girl adores you, she always has. Maybe it is because I have an outside perspective but-"

It was as if time stood still for a moment before speeding up again into hyperdrive. The glass from the passenger side came crashing into the vehicle before the machine that was built to protect us rolled several times until it finally stopped with a loud bang.

I winced through the pain as I looked around the cab. My ears ringing and vison blurred. Squinting my eyes, I tried to make out the tragedy before me. My father was hanging upside down in the driver seat, blood dripping from his forehead. My chest rattled in fear as I looked over to the passenger seat, an ear-piercing scream ripping through me when my mother was nowhere to be found.

"Help! Somebody help us," I screamed as I fought against the seatbelt. I was trapped unable to search for the woman that had given birth to me. My mind unable to process the loss that was inevitable.