If I had one last word

Part 3-The Rose of Red

Grace pulled me close a showed me a better image of her prize pokemon Dragonite.

"You know Lee you are almost exactly like my Dragonite."

Confused about her statement I eagerly replied, "Why because Im big and strong?"

Looking back I probably came off rather arrogant. She didnt seemed to think much of it as she had a very sentimintal gaze in her eyes. It was beautiful and the first time I recall thinking of her as more than just my best friend.

"No." She spoke ever so softely. "On the outside Dragonite is a powerful pokemon. Big and tough and able to beat just about anyone that comes his way, but on the inside he is cuddly and soft. He is sweet and loving just like you Lee."

"Yeah I guess so." I found myself joining in on this sentemintal moment.

"Lee you're my Dragonite from this day forward okay?"

"Okay."

Time continued to march on and we built more and more memories. Although it was a drag only being able to see her on the weekends, it made each moment that much more special to the both of us.

It was fifth grade when I found myself in the middle of an ugly divorce between my mom and dad. The fights seemed to get more intense by the day. If it wasnt for Grace only God knows what may've became of me after the war concluded. She always had a way of keeping the light in my eyes when I was blinded by the darkness.

"Lee have you ever thought about expressing yourself through writing?"

"Hahaha!" I laughed at the thought. "Writing your feelings is for girls and sissys. You wouldnt catch me dead writing."

"Geez" she moaned disappointed at my answer. "Sometimes you are such a little kid."

I cocked back baffled at her statement. "Why is that. Because I dont want to express myself. Maybe I dont want people knowing my hurt inside. You know how hard it is going through what I am right now? Huh do you?!"

"Yes actually" she responded tears filling her eyes up.

"What?" I responded now humbled and humiliated by her words.

She began sobing uncontrollably. "My dad is so cruel to my mom. He calls her mean names and is always putting her down. He drinks all the time and snaps at the drop of a dime. I know exactly what you are going through but never told you because I wanted to be strong for you. Just like my Dragonite has always been strong for me."

A lot of me didnt know how to react. I was hurt she kept all her pain bottled from me but grateful to know how deeply she cared for me. I found myself crying with her.

"Im sorry. I didnt mean to say those things. You shouldve told me sooner. We can be each others pillars. We can do this together."

That night we fell asleep crying in each others arms. I awoke first the next morning. She was curled up in a ball and as close as she could get to me. In that instant I resolved that one day she would be mine and I would take away all her hurt.

I grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil and began writing. I wasnt very good but came up with a secret code just for us. She awoke not long after.

Yawning as she spoke she said, "Lee what are you doing?"

"Well good morning to you too. I tried your writing idea. Im not good but I made a motto for us to live by. Check it out."

She eagerly ran to me and grabbed my paper. She read aloud. "I will protect the Red Rose. My friends are the petals."

She giggled and blushed. "Im impressed and admire it but may I make a few adjustments?"

"Yeah sure."

"How bout this Lee?"

I took the paper back to see what changes she made and was very pleased with our new matra. It read like this 'Rose of Red, gaurded by the heavens angels, I will protect you. My friends are my petals and my faith is my stem. This Red Rose shall not fall.'

"I love it Grace!"

We hugged as always but this time in my sheer joy I kissed her cheek involuntarly. She became startled and hoped back.

"Lee you?"

"Im sorry I dont know why I did that."

"No no its okay," she assured me. "I just wasnt expecting that thats all."

"Y-yeah. Hey can you believe me start middle school in a few weeks?"

I quickly changed the subject hoping she would follow suit with me.

"Yeah I know. We can see each other everyday then. You think its going to be hard?"

"Nah!" I answered beaming with confidence. "We are gonna kick middle schools butt. Together."

"Together forever."

The world seemed right. We forgotten all our troubles in that moment and lived as if it was just her and I in this dark world. We was each others stars in the night sky and we perpared to battle the world hand in hand.