Yours Truly, August Griffin

53: Yours Truly

Pov: Evangeline

"Okay," cool water swishes around my ankles. "I'm not really sure how to begin this so..."

"That's alright. Why don't I start?"

"That works." I fiddle with my fingers nervously.

"I'm sorry, Ann. I've been inconsistent and a jerk and I'm really sorry. I've had some...issues with myself, I guess. I've been working on getting better, but without you, I can't see to get anywhere. I want to be back to the boy I was years ago. I want to be cocky and idiotic and living for the moment. But right now, I don't...I don't know me. When I look at myself in the mirror, all I can see is my father and his soulless eyes. You're the reason I'm alive, Ann. Every time," he swallows. "Every time I thought of dying, you were in the back of my mind telling me not to."

My heart is caught in my throat. I squeeze his hand and make him look me in the eye.

"I know you. I love you. You are nothing like your father. Please don't ever leave this world. Please." I can feel the tears well up in my eyes as the thought of him in a coffin crosses my mind.

"I won't. You keep me here, Ann. You are my savior." He kisses me hard and I begin to cry. How long had this been going on for? How many times had I seen him and yelled at him when this was going though his mind?

"It's alright, I got you. I'm not going anywhere."

"You better not, you asshole," I sob. "I don't want a world without you."

"And I won't live in a world without you."

"Don't say that! If I died right this second, I would want you to still be living. You make the world better." He ignores my statement.

"Now it's your turn to talk."

"I don't know where to start,"

"Try the beginning." I crack a shaky smile and brush away the tears.

"Okay. Um...after you ran away, I kinda freaked out. Of course, dating Mark did absolutely nothing to help that, but I was...it was like part of me was missing and I kept trying to force the wrong puzzle pieces into your space. When a year and a half had passed, I almost completely gave up on seeing you. I knew you were still out there, but I didn't think we would ever meet again. When I discovered your letter, I was...I don't know. I can't really explain it. But anyway, I came to New York, saw you, and you know the rest."

"I do." We continue our stroll in silence. My mind whirls. There are so many things I don't know. So many things I need to know. What happens next? How is a long distance relationship going to work for us? Will it all work out in the end?

I inhale the salty air and calm my nerves. Right now the details shouldn't matter. As long as my story ends with him and I together, I will be happy.

Wind tosses hair into my face and I can't help but laugh. He grins and walks with me down to the water's edge, letting the cool waves splash over our feet. I kick a bit of water at him and he splashed me back. We fall, screaming and laughing, into the ocean. After a struggle to stand, we get up. Water trickles from my hair down my shirt and I shiver. He hugs me to him. We kiss. His lips taste like sand and salt and sea. Like yesterday and today and tomorrow. Like forever and always and home.

"I love you, August."

"I love you more, Ann." He pulls away as if he's just remembered something. "I got you a gift."

"A gift?"

"Yup, a gift. Close your eyes." I smile and do as I'm told. I can feel him sweep the hair away from my neck and place a chain around it. His fingers fumble with the latch and I giggle as he curses.

"Okay, the damn thing is finally on. You can look." His arms circle around my waist as he hugs me from behind.

I take the necklace in my palm and stare at it. A tiny silver heart. His heart. My heart.

"Flip if over," he whispers.

I slowly turn it. Sunlight gleams of its surface and blinds me for a moment. When my vision clears, I gasp. Engraved on the metal charm are the words: Yours Truly, August Griffin.