100 Years to Live (Completed)

Chapter 24 : Life

Somehow, Jonah Winters went from the top of my most hated, gets-on-my-nerves list to the top of my most loved, trusted friend list.

And somehow, I was okay with it.

"If it's alright with you, I think I'll drive," Jonah said. He took the key s from me and climbed into the driver's seat. Considering the circumstances, who was to argue?

The ride was smooth and peaceful. Everything around was black nothingness, yet only having that patch of light ahead from the headlights was oddly comforting. It was knowing that finally, I did it. I escaped. I'll go live in that big city and I'll go practice, practice, practice until I'm not just any old artist but the artist of the century.

It's all I ever wanted. Or two-thirds of it, at least.

"Technically, I missed your birthday, but I got you a gift." Jonah pulled a glass tube out of his pocket. It was filled with a peculiar liquid that glowed green and a rubber stop acted as the lid.

"What is it?"

"Forever."

"…what?"

"Weren't you obsessed with living eternally? So here you have it. Immortality in bottle. Doesn't get more convenient than that."

I took the bottle from him and examined the liquid. It sloshed as I tilted it, flowing slightly thicker than expected. It seemed to sparkle with…life.

"How did you make this?"

Jonah smiled. "That's a long story."

"I think we have the time."

He turned to look at me and I realized that's what color his eyes truly were. Not turquoise or teal or jade or emerald. Not green like truth but green like life.

"Aren't you the least bit curious how I popped in and saved you just in time?" he asked.

"Of course."

"I…how do I explain this…I went back in time. See, you were hit by that truck and you were sent to the hospital. I was informed and I went to visit you, along with everyone from town practically. You were all bandaged up and stuff, but the crash hit your head. You were unstable, they had you hooked up to all these wires and machines and…Noelle, you died.

"I knew it was going to happen, so I didn't let you die in waste. There's this spell, this potion for eternal youth, and the only special ingredient was the last breath of a dying person. It's like one life for another. Don't you see what I did? I took your last breath, made the potion, then came back in time to save you. And now, I offer you your own life."

Um, yeah…that was totally unexpected and mind-blowing. In a different future, I died?

I looked at the dial again. It had my last breath in there. "But isn't that kind of cheating?"

He gave me a look. "Yes, captain obvious. I thought we already went over this. Everything I do is cheating."

I shrugged and uncorked the bottle. It smelled delightful. "How much do I have to drink?"

"All of it or else the dosage isn't enough."

"Wait…then that means this potion is only enough for one person."

"Well there is only one breath in there so that would make sense…"

"But then," I corked the bottle again, "Only I could live forever."

"Again, isn't that the whole point?"

"But…you won't live forever."

He chuckled. "Yes. Because I don't want to."

Suddenly, it all made sense. I don't only have a hundred years to live. A hundred years is a long time, it's plenty of time. And you know what? One life is enough, especially if it's one life with Jonah.

I rolled down the car window and promptly tossed the bottle out to the middle of nowhere road.

"Me neither."

Jonah smiled. Like he was waiting for me to do just that.

Isn't it funny how after all this time, after I tore my heart trying to decide between Clarence and Ethan, I end up with Jonah?

Whoa. Hold up.

"Oh my god," I exclaimed. "This is the vision, isn't it?"

"What?"

"Penelope's great vision, the start of it all. She saw you and me driving away in the night and she assumed you were trying to kidnap me. And all the chaos and confusion that ensued was caused by us trying to prevent this. But it happened. I'm sitting with you and we drive off leaving town, but you're not kidnapping me. I am leaving on my own will. I'm not being taken away. I am finally chasing my dream."

"Really huh? Who knew?" Then something odd happened. His truth ring glowed red.

"Why are you lying?"

He bit his lip then took a breath. "Fine. Confession time. So Sarah had the same vision, only I knew I wasn't kidnapping you. That's absurd. And ever since I first saw you, Noelle…I've been kind of in love with you."

Eh, what?

"But you were in love with Ethan. Or Clarence. Or whoever. So I let you be. I tried to not interfere and even make you hate me because then I wouldn't break your heart. You can think what you want, I was satisfied knowing someday, somehow, we'd end up like this. Like right now."

"Why didn't you say anything? It would have saved a lot of trouble."

"Would it though? If I proclaimed my love for you, would it really have made things any different?"

I shrugged. "You want to go back in time and try?"

We both laughed. "Nah. I personally rather like the outcome just as it is."

"Yeah, me too."

We passed a sign, the first one we've seen in miles. The airport was a mere 13 miles away.

"You ready to live, Noelle?"

"I was born ready."

15, there's still time for you,

Time to buy, Time to lose yourself

Within a morning star.

15, I'm all right with you,

15, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got 100 years to live.

Half time goes by,

Suddenly you're wise.

Another blink of an eye,

67 is gone.

The sun is getting high,

We're moving on...

"100 Years"