A Week With Him

Chapter 16 - Never Alone Again (End)

*Two months later*

I slipped my backpack over my shoulder and left Aunt Carol's house for college, taking my time on the walk there, my leg was still quite sore but I enjoyed the Spring sunshine. When I got to my classroom I took a random seat at the front without a second thought, I still had no friends to sit with, so it didn't matter where I sat. I leaned my head on one hand, waiting for our tutor to arrive so this can end sooner. I always wondered what made me so un-likeable to not have any friends, I still don't get it to this day, but I tried not to let it bother me anymore. I know I'm a good person, so I shouldn't try to change myself for others. I glanced to the right where a group of noisy girls sat, Kelly was one of them, I tried making friends with her before, but looking at them now I just shake my head. They're not the type I'd like anyway, I'd rather not get caught up in their drama.

The whole morning was boring and slow, but I smiled once our two hours of lessons were up, it was break time. I was the first to run out the door this time, I'm tired of always being stuck at the back of the line. I rushed outside with my backpack and went straight around the back of the college building, it was isolated and quiet there, I don't eat lunch with others in the canteen anyway. I forced myself to stop running when I was close though, he'd shake his head at me and tell me my leg still needs time to heal. I carried on walking then my smile grew bigger when I saw him there waiting for me, Jeff.

*A few weeks earlier*

In the early morning I set off to the forest, this time taking my phone with me and a packed lunch, I told mum and dad I was just going to walk through the park, and they let me since it was a Sunday. I was really going to look for Jeff though of course, I've been wanting to see him again ever since he set me free.

I wander deep in the forest for a couple of hours, I felt scared of running into criminals like last time, but I reassured myself that they'd only come out at night. I began calling Jeff's name when I thought I was close, something told me I was getting warmer, just instinct. I took a break for my leg every now and then and paused whenever I thought I'd get lost, but then kept running when I knew he was here somewhere. I called for him louder as I ran, but of course my clumsy side eventually had to kick in. I tripped over a tree trunk and scraped my knee, it didn't hurt that much but I stopped to pull my jeans up and see the damage.

And that's when I heard him.
"Casey..?"
I jumped then turned around to see who was talking to me, Jeff was standing there, he was frowning when he saw what I'd done to myself. "Stupid,"he mumbled. I broke out into a big smile then jumped back up to wrap my arms around him for a tight hug,"Jeff!" His lips twitched back into a smile and he hugged me back, making me want to cry. I felt so happy he was normal again. "I'm sorry I h-hurt you Jeff, please come home,"I trembled, suddenly feeling emotional. Jeff shook his head. "Why are you still apologising? I already forgave you Casey,"Jeff said. I sniffed and pulled back a little to see his face. "You did?"I said. He nodded.

I smiled then but his frown returned. Jeff held my forearms and said gently,"But...Casey I can't go back." I wanted to cry again when he said that. I wiped my eyes sadly,"W-Why?"
"Because your parents are back, I don't want to be seen you know that. And...I really don't want to hurt you again." I sniffed again. "But..what if you just hide in my room? You did that all the time when we were kids and Aunt Carol doesn't have any cameras,"I suggested. Jeff shook his head. "That's not the point Casey, I don't want to hurt you again. I have to stay in the woods, it's my home and that way I won't harm you again,"Jeff said. It went silent for a moment as our gazes locked, but I then shook my head from his words. "Jeff, I know you won't hurt me again,"I whispered. I touched his cheek making his mouth open slightly. "You've grown up."

It looked like Jeff wanted to cry now, but he held back his tears and smiled softly instead before hugging me hard again, cuddling up in my hair. "Maybe..you can visit me when I'm at college, I'll meet you behind the building every breaktime so we can be by ourselves, is that better?"I asked. I felt Jeff nod. "And...if you truly never want to be seen...I could stay with you here when I'm older." Jeff pulled away when I said that, looking shocked from my suggestion. "You mean, you want to live with me?"he asked. I smiled at him. "Yes Jeff. I promise to stay with you in a couple years, as soon as I'm done with college, neither of us will be alone,"I said. Jeff kissed me then and tried not to cry again from my promise, he looked so happy.

*Flashback over*

I hugged Jeff as soon as I took my backpack off, he agreed to meeting me here every breaktime and always came early, he wouldn't miss these moments for the world. He was wearing his usual clothes but his hoodie was up and he had a black scarf hiding half his face, he didn't want anyone seeing his scar. No one was around so I pulled his hoodie down, letting his wild black hair spring free then I gently pulled down his scarf to show his smile. He looked down at me warmly from this. I touched Jeff's cold cheek and slowly leaned in to kiss him, I could feel where his lips were slit and stretched upwards but it didn't bother me a bit. Jeff kissed back and smiled wider, gently holding my face and stroking my hair.

When we were done with our small make out session we leaned our heads against each other and sat down by the wall, our hands clasped together softly. He asked how my weekend and morning at college was and I gave him the usual answer then asked him the same, it never got boring though. "Let's play a game,"Jeff said hopefully. He noticed the time on my phone and knew I had to go back to class soon, he always wanted to play something with me before I went back. I stuck my hand in my pocket and fished out a coin, suggesting we play heads or tails. Jeff smiled,"Okay, heads I win, tails you lose." I nodded to that and we started taking turns flipping the coin, it wasn't until after a whole minute went by when I realised I kept losing and that there was no possible way for me to win. I blushed red as Jeff laughed at me when I finally got it. "Hey that's not fair,"I said, folding my arms. "And it's not funny either." I hated feeling stupid, but eventually I smiled and started giggling too.

Jeff then stared down at my coin,"Hey where is your lucky penny? The one I took back from those bullies for you." I put the coin back in my pocket and admitted,"I um, lost it." I used to keep the lucky penny in an old button box but lost that years ago now. Jeff sighed from that. "Stupid,"he said. He nudged me to the side, it was supposed to be a playful nudge but he pushed me a bit too hard so my hand got dirty in the grass. Jeff stared shamefully,"Sorry." I laughed at that as I wiped my hand on my coat. "It's okay Jeff,"I reassured him.

He then looked sad for a moment, he was thinking about something. "Sorry I'm sometimes a bit rough with you...the reason I do that is partly because...I just need to know you can fight back, that you can defend yourself. That's why I kept tackling you when I first came back, it snaps me out of it when you're firm with me,"Jeff explained. My mouth opened a little then, I didn't realise. "I wanted you to learn to stand up for yourself before I went beyond crazy, I knew it would happen eventually." His lip wobbled a little when he thought back to when he tortured me. I held Jeff's hand again to calm him down then leaned my head against his arm. "It's okay, don't beat yourself up for the past, just learn from it instead, and I'm learning too,"I said.

Jeff smiled shakily then but his eyes widened when he seemed to remember something. "Oh, before I forget-"he said. Jeff took off his own backpack I bought for him and unzipped it quick, it surprised me when he took out my ragdoll Emily. I completely forgot he packed some of my possessions before the fire. I hugged Jeff happily while he hugged me back. "I still have Seth and some of your clothes, would you like me to bring them in for you tomorrow?"Jeff asked. I shook my head no. "I'll have my clothes when I move in with you, and you can keep Seth, I know he's your favourite toy,"I teased. Jeff just laughed to that, despite him being more mature now he still had that childish side to him. We both did.