Red

Chapter 2: the first goodbye

"Jonah!" I sob and leap into his open arms. I inhale deeply and just take in his wonderful scent. He kisses the top of my head.

"It's alright. Lets just sit," is all he can say. A leather sofa lies against the wall and we decide to lie down. He pushes his arm under my side and I sink into him.

"I don't want to go," I cry after only a few seconds of silence. "Please they can't make me go because I love so much that they have to make me stay right?"

"Now you stop a minute and calm down. You're still safe now aren't you? Even for a few minutes here with me, you're safe" his voice tickles the back even though he doesn't mean it to.

"I love you I love you I love you and I don't say it enough!"

"I know you do." He pulls me in closer to his chest. I'm glad I'm not in a position that I can look him in the eye. I don't know if I'd even be able to. Instead I stare at the hand at the end of the arm he has under my body.

"I'm not coming back..."

"Please just try. Make everyone remember who you are so that you can live on in everyone's hearts and not just mine so that long after you're gone people will say 'That is Emilia Lake and she was awesome!'" I giggle at the enthusiasm in his voice. That's the Jonah I know. "I love you duck." He pushes his face into the crook of my neck and it tickles immensely.

"Stop it!" I laugh, "you know how much I hate it when people call me that!"

When I was little I hurt my leg and walked funny for years. I'd waddle sort of like a duck. All the other kids called me duck in a mean way, but not Jonah. He thought the way I walked was cute. Still does, even though I only waddle when I get nervous.

"Quack!" He whispers and hot air blows right down my ear.

"Stop, please come on!" I cackle. I swing my arm up and my fingers brush right up against his neck to tickle him back. Jonah isn't happy with me, and squeezes my side quickly causing me to scream. I roll off the couch to escape his 'attack'.

"Truce please!" I beg as I try to catch my breath.

"Alright truce," he laughs.

Suddenly the doors fly open.

"Nononononononononononono," I start to mutter. I can feel a scream setting in. Every part of my body is buzzing with panic.

The smile slowly comes off Jonah's face. "I have to go now." He says tenderly. He stands up from the sofa and I grab into his hand. He reaches to his thumb and takes off the ring his father gave him for his birthday. Jonah pries my hand off his to place be ring in my palm and he curls my fingers around it. "Just bring it back duck'" he whispers and abruptly kisses my lips. He's dragged out backwards, refusing to break eye contact with me until the doors close.

I am alone.

I slip the ring on my finger and throw up again.