Spark in the darkness (Inspired by Why Don't We)

23. Right next to you

I was pretty curious of what Jack was going to do. But before he could carry out his idea and turn it into action, Mike and Ashley woke up from their daze and started blushing furiously. Jack only shook his head, whispering in my ear. "If they carry on being shy like this, by next year they may even hold hands if it goes well."

I rolled my eyes at him, but inside agreed with him. It was nowhere close to mine and Jack's convergence; we kissed out of the blue and started going out. I smiled, knowing Mike, he liked to take things slow and it was clear that he still wasn't over me, I would be asking too much.

In the end it was one of the best days of my life. We really enjoyed the study session, which was more like hanging out, especially after the boys started discussing video games. Me and Ash talked about casual things and just watched the boys we loved with smiles on our faces.

As I was later going to bed, I passed Cay's laptop. I hadn't touched it yet, because it felt like an invasion into his privacy, but something was pulling me in like a magnet, like there was something important in it.

I was about to grab it, when I recalled him saying: "Don't touch my laptop, sister." He always shut it before he let me come in his room. I never knew why he kept it away from me.

I told myself I could do it. So I opened it and turned it on. There were loads of folders with different names, most of them school, athletics and music. I couldn't help but opened it, but I was immediately hit with guilt that was eating me from the inside.

One thing caught my attention. It was a folder named Quotes. When I opened it, there were tons of quotes by people he admired, from songs and one saying:

"Take your sweet, sweet time, I will be here when you change your mind. Take your sweet, sweet time, I will be here for you baby, anytime. I will never stand in your way. Wherever your heart may lead you, I will love you the same. And I will be your comfort every day. Do you hear the words I say?"

I was taken aback by those beautiful words. I knew it must have been a lyrics to a song, so I googled it and found it was an old song by Jesse McCartney. It was a beautiful song that touched my heart in an unusual way, I felt safe and sound, like I was having Cay next to me.

I scrolled down through the music folder and found a concept called "For Emma". My heart almost stopped beating when I clicked on the video. I wasn't prepared to hear his voice nor see his face. He looked so young. I felt the tears burning in my eyes as soon as he started speaking.

"Emi, my dear sister. Happy birthday to you! If you're watching this, you probably wonder why I look like a baby, but that's only because I found this song nine months before your 18th birthday and felt the need to start working on it to dedicate it to you on your big day." He laughed softly, showing off his straight teeth.

I choked on my tears as he continued. "You've been always the sensible one out of us two. I'm really proud of you, in fact, you're my inspiration. I just wish you could be able to enjoy yourself more. Stop being so insecure, I'm telling you once again.

Even though it might seem otherwise, I've always looked up to you, to your kindness, loyalty, selflessness, good heart. You don't know how precious you are, that's what I love most about you. 

So, this song is for you to know I'll always stand right next to you, even if we're apart because of distance. I hope you'll realize how much I love you and that you just need to let the light inside your heart come out and light the way of other people as much as you light up mine."

The video continued with Cay singing the lines of this song to me, making me cry. This was the best birthday present ever, but the saddest part of it all was that he wasn't there anymore. I felt so sad, yet calm and loved. His voice was incredible, I felt myself being closer to him than ever before, if that was even possible.