Sakura Eyes

Chapter 26

I always wondered what it would feel like to go to heaven. I imagined tiny, beautiful, white angels, and a paradise made up of fluffy clouds. Everything you wished for would appear in front of you right away as a sweet, soft melody in the background would sing peacefully.

But this...

I felt wet and disgusting, and there was the unpleasant sound of people yelling. As I tried to reign in my bearings, I felt something soft press against my lips. 

My eyes flew open in shock. 

Justin was pulling away from me, his eyes crazed and wild, and his breaths coming out short and jagged. I blinked in confusion and tried to grasp the strange situation in front of me. Our eyes connected, and he immediately grabbed my hand. "Hey. Can you hear me?"

Suddenly, memories rushed in, and I remembered where I was. My voice wouldn't work, but I managed to choke out a yes for Justin. He exhaled, closing his eyes and fell back. Soon, three more familiar faces popped up. Yuri...Catherine...Tristan. More unfamiliar ones began to appear in my line of vision as well.

"Are you alright?"

"What were you thinking?"

"How many fingers am I holding up?"

As shutting my eyes could block out the noise, I turned my head away from the questions. Suddenly, I felt someone grab my shoulders and put my head against their warm chest. I looked up to see Justin, glaring at the crowd who quickly backed off.

"Wait," I suddenly started, looking around. "Where's the boy?"

"Take care of yourself first," Justin bitterly said, placing a hand over my eyes and pushing me gently down on his chest again.

"But is he okay?" I croaked.

Justin sighed. I felt his chest go up and down. "Yes, yes. He's fine. Just rest for now."

I let myself relax against Justin's chest. Although I felt much safer in his arms, the muttering in the back was still as loud as ever and the wind didn't help either as it tousled my hair wildly in the air and made goosebumps crawl up my arm. 

Feeling my shiver, Justin pulled me away from him and said, "Sit."

I heard a rustle behind me, and then I felt his hands pull me back. Justin's arms enveloped me and hugged me close again. I placed my cold cheek against Justin's chest and realized that he had stripped his shirt off to give me more warmth. 

Badump. Badump. 

Stop. 

Badump, badump, badump, badump. 

Before I could scold my racing heart anymore, I felt a hand touch my forehead.

"We have to get her inside quickly. She could get hypothermia." 

Catherine.

"Follow me."

Curt.

"Can you stand?" Justin asked.

" ...Yeah," I grunted, pushing myself unwillingly away from his warm body. As I pulled away and got up onto my feet, a blanket covered my body. I looked up in surprise to see Jake and turned towards him to nod my head gratefully towards him. 

A big mistake.

I suddenly teetered forward; Jake caught me in surprise. My head began to pound loudly as the blood rushed to my head. I could feel my eyes beginning to close as I started to slip away. In the distance, I heard some arguing before the darkness covered me whole.