Saved

Almost Lover

   Jade's P.O.V.

      ......
        " What about this shirt?"
          Katelyn and I were trying on clothes at the mall. Dylan and I were going to get together, but he called and said he was sick. Ever since Dylan and I started dating, I haven't had time to be with my friends. He took up most of my time, he would get jealous if I chose to hang out with my friends then with him.
         " Yeah...that one's cute... " I said, not really paying attention. My mind would constantly trail off, until I was eventually thinking about him again.
         " You didn't even look at it!"  My attention was directed back to Katelyn. I instantly felt guilty for not listening.
         "What's going on, Jade?" She asked, " you've been like this all day."
         I didn't know what to tell her. I just wanted to be with Dylan. I wanted to be in his arms. I missed him, even though I've only been apart from him for a small amount of time.
         " Its about Dylan, isn't it?" Katelyn accused. I didn't answer.
      " You know you don't have to be with your boyfriend twenty-four-seven. Its good to be apart every once in a while. " I still didn't say anything.
         "I'm sorry..." Was all I could say.
        " You know what, shopping was never really my thing, either. "  Katelyn paused for a moment.
         " Let's just go home and watch something on Netflix, just like old times." She suggested. I nodded, not wanting to be in the mall for another moment.
         We walked put of the store together, our arms around each other. If someone had just met us, they would have thought we'd been friends for a long time, like we had never drifted apart in the first place.
         " I'm glad I have my best friend back" Katelyn stated. I was glad, too. I had been a terrible friend in the past. I'm surprised she was even talking to me right now.
         Everything was as it should be, until we turned the corner.
         Katelyn didn't notice. I wish I didn't notice, too.
         He was by the fountain, where little kids would throw pennies in it and make a wish. He didn't look at all like he was sick. In fact, he looked far from it.
        Another girl was in his arms. He looked at her the same way he looked at me. The sight of them made me want to hurl. I was filled with anger, sorrow, confusion. I was feeling millions of different emotions all at once.
        My feet were unable to move, as if my feet merged with the floor beneath me. Without even realizing it, I had already gripped the necklace around my neck. The necklace he had given to me after he told me he loved me. It was a simple silver chain, with a pendant shaped like a bird. He knew I wanted to be free, like a bird. I was his "little songbird", not because I could sing, but because he said my voice reminded him of birds singing.
         I wanted to rip the necklace off and throw it at his face, so he would feel pain, the edges of the wings on the bird were quite sharp.
        " Jade," Katelyn whispered, her hand on my arm, "I'm so sorry..."
        By now, she had noticed, too. We were both staring at him. My vision was becoming blurry as tears filled my eyes. He didn't care about me.
   ......
         I jolt awake, tears streaming down my face. I haven't had that dream in a long time. I didn't miss it. It was only a reminder of what I wasted part of my life on.

         My hands went to my neck, gripping onto his necklace. It was only a reminder of what he promised: that he would never leave me. A sudden burst of hatred for him coursed through my veins.

        It's time to let go.

       I took off the necklace, looking at the bird pendant for the last time. Where do I put it, though? I can't leave my room. I sat up in the bed, not paying attention to the pain. Dragging my IV cart with me, I made my way towards the window overlooking the parking lot. Using all my strength, I opened it up. The sky was filled with stars, just like it was the night I almost died. I was a couple stories up from the ground.

        I held my hand out, the necklace dangling from it. I closed my eyes, and opened my palm, letting the bird fall from my hand. I could hear a faint clink as the metal met with the concrete below.

        Now I can live in peace. Hopefully, it will be easier to forget.