The car ride was silent for the majority of the journey, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the bustle of the city surrounding them. Confusion still circled Emmie's mind, but she was curious to know what had occupied Joe for so long. He wouldn't tell her much, only that it was important that she go with him.
He glanced over at her every so often, but she didn't return the look. She was still upset that he hadn't confronted her about the situation in the first place. She didn't understand why he wouldn't tell her anything. Instead she kept her gaze on the window, digging her nails into the palm of her hand.
Eventually, the sound of the busy streets faded, and the roads became empty as the plains of grass came into view. Emmie continued to stare out of the window, slowly recognising the drive they were taking. She was almost certain this had been the same place that Joe had taken her just days before.
The car rolled to a stop, on the same side of the road. They sat in silence for a moment, Emmie finally making eye contact with Joe. She shuffled uncomfortably in her seat, unsure what to say. Joe clears his throat, scarcely glancing at her.
"What are we doing here?" Emmie mumbled, chewing on her lip, anxiously.
"Just follow me." He tells her, jumping out of the car. She sits there in silence, debating whether or not she should go with him. She had gotten this far, so there was no going back now. Joe appears by her side, opening the door for her, reaching for her hand.
Emmie reluctantly takes it, feeling a wave of comfort wash over her, as much as she didn't want to. She wanted to be upset with him, for leaving her hanging. But she couldn't. He was just too likeable to hold a grudge. And she was intrigued by what he had to show her.
Joe led her through the same overgrown bushes, down the crumbled pathway and carefully down onto the opening of the beach. Emmie frowned, still confused.
"Joe, now is not the time to be at the beach-" She began, but then she saw it.
Fairy lights. Hanging from the tree that overhung the beach. Giving the sand the most amazing golden glow. A small striped blanket stretched out on the ground, with Joe's guitar lying beside it. The sun was beginning to set, creating the most beautiful contrast along the beach. The faint sounds of birds chirping and the waves crashing filled their ears. Emmie's eyes lit up at the sight, feeling Joe's hand stroking hers as she stared in awe.
"I- What is this?" She asked, her voice soft, but she couldn't hide the smile on her face as she glanced at everything sat before her.
"This.." Joe began, "Is your day to celebrate your best friend." He smiled at her, finally gaining a happy response. Her whole face softened at his words, and for a moment, Joe was almost sure that she was about to cry. Emmie looked at him, a sad smile painting her face as she tried to find the words to say.
"Joe.." She whispered, "This is beautiful." She reached out, tracing the outline of the lights that hung above them. "You did all of this for me?"
She looked back at him, his brown eyes glistening as he smiled once more. "For you.. and for Caleb."
Her face crumpled at his words, feeling her eye water slightly. Emmie quickly pulled him into a hug to distract herself, a tight grip on the fabric of his shirt. She felt Joe's arms wrap around her waist as she buried her face into his neck.
"I can't believe you." She mumbled, a breathy laugh leaving her lips. When she pulled away, she saw the smile on his face.
"I'm sorry for not telling you." Joe explained, "Of course I knew how much this day means to you, which is why I wanted to do something special."
"No, I understand." She smiled back at him. "This is perfect."
Joe intwined their hands, as they walked across the sand, setting themselves down on the blanket. Emmie made herself comfortable, removing her shoes, letting her feet sink into the warmth of the sand. She noticed Joe beginning to rummage through something behind them, carefully pulling out a woven basket, placing it front of them.
"What's this?" She asked, her fingers tracing over the rough material. She eyes caught glance of the photos and handwritten notes inside, causing her to raise her eyebrows.
"It's a memory box." Joe smiled. "Thea helped me with the idea. She said you should have a chance to say goodbye properly."
Emmie continued to stare at the basket in front of her, trying to find a way to explain how grateful she was for Joe. Not only had he gone out of his way to celebrate Caleb's birthday with her, he had also created the most perfect memory, and found a way for her to let go of the pain she was holding onto so tightly. She would never be able to express how much Joe meant to her. Especially at this moment.
She buried her face in her hands, overcome with emotion. She couldn't think of a more perfect way to celebrate her best friend, and it was all down to Joe. She felt his hand, gently placed on her shoulder, pulling her into him. She couldn't help but break down, there and then, feeling nothing more but pure appreciation.
"You don't know how much this means to me." She spoke, lifting her head and looking at Joe through glossy eyes.
"You like it?" He smiled, holding her close.
"I love it." She whispered, leaning into him as she stared at the scene around her.
"You don't have to say goodbye, if you're not ready." Joe reassured her, his hand on her knee as she held the basket in her grasp.
"No." Emmie shook her head, "I think I'm ready." She smiled at the memories in her lap, taking in all the photos that sat before her, full of life.
Looking back on everything they had been through, was bittersweet. Knowing that she would never get these memories back, was heartbreaking. But she couldn't let the pain of this hold her back for any longer. Caleb had, and would always be her best friend, no matter the distance that stood between them. But she had to learn to let go. She could still make happy memories, and know that he would be looking out for her. Proud of the person she had become.
Emmie turned to see Joe writing in his songbook, completely focused on the words before him. She smiled, looking at the photos in front of her.
"Can I borrow that?" She asked, smiling at the pen in his hand. Joe nods, handing it to her, with a curious look on his face.
She sets the basket down, her eyes glancing across all the photos, before selecting her favourite one. A close up of Caleb, smiling widely into the camera, a firm grip on his parents family dog. She had always loved the photo, knowing that day had been full of laughter. She smiled to herself, taking in every little detail of his happy face. She would do anything to see it one last time.
Emmie flips the photo around, so that the white cover was showing. She toys with the pen for a second, before writing down her favourite line. A line that now had a completely new meaning to her.
Light up the world like only you can do.
She drew a small heart underneath, to mark the photo, holding it up to look at it properly. She held it there for a moment, everything finally sinking in.
She was finally letting go.
Emmie placed the photo back into the basket, smiling weakly as she tried not to let her face show the sadness inside. Joe watched from a distance, keeping quiet whilst he let her have a moment to herself.
The tips of her fingers, felt the warmth of the lights that decorated the basket. She couldn't believe she was finally doing this. Finally finding the strength to let him rest, without the constant thoughts of guilt circling the back of her mind.
She slipped her hand in Joe's wandering closer to where the water met the shore. She glanced down at the memories once, feeling a wave of sadness rush through her as she set the basket into the shallow waters. As the waves washed around them, Emmie finally found the courage to let go, saying goodbye to her best friend for the last time.
"Forever and always, Caleb." She whispered, watching as the waves pulled the basket away with the tide. She felt her eyes pooling with tears, but this time, she let them freely roll down her cheeks.
She turned away, facing Joe, as he gently wrapped his arms around her. Neither of them said another word, letting the moment pass by, a calming atmosphere surrounding them.
"I'm proud of you, Em." He murmured, still holding her in his grasp.
She smiles into his chest, before pulling back, intwining their hands as she looks up at him.
"Joe.." She started, "What's going on between us?"
She watched his eyes flicker to hers, but his expression was unreadable.
"I mean- We kissed, and since then.. I don't know, I just thought that might've meant something?"
He smiled her, his whole face softening.
"Em.. Of course it meant something." He let out a chuckle. "You don't understand how much I like you. I'd probably scare you off, if I told you how much I want to be around you.. You're all I ever think about."
Emmie smiled, feeling butterflies at his words.
"I just want us to be careful." He told her, his voice soft. "I don't want to ruin what we already have.. Everything is going so well."
She nodded, trying to figure out what he meant. Part of her understood, but there was also a part of her that didn't care about being careful. There was no denying how happy they made each other, and there was no denying that everyone else could see it too.
"I just don't want to ruin us." He told her, placing a hand on her cheek, making her smile.
"I know." She agreed, looking up at him. "I don't want that either."
She knew when the time was right, they would eventually to be happy together. But right now, in the midst of their own struggles, it wasn't their time. Joe liked her too, and that was more than she could ever ask for. But for them to be able to work out in the way they wanted, they would have to take things, as each day came. And Emmie was okay with that. Because no matter what, she knew she would always have Joe.
As they sat along the edge of the shore, waves crashing at their feet, Emmie looked up the sky, the twinkle of the stars catching her eye. Joe watches her, smiling at her focused on the sky above.
"Look." He tells her, reaching for her hand, guiding her so they were pointing at the star that shot by. Emmie closed her eyes for a moment, mumbling something under her breath. Joe couldn't help but smile in awe, making his own wish.
"They're supposed to be lucky." Emmie tells him, their eyes locked on each other.
"I'm sure they are." He agrees, wrapping an arm around her, as they sat taking in the view. Emmie rests her head on his shoulder, smiling to herself, feeling comfortable in his arms once again.
"What would you wish for?" She asks, through a moment of silence.
Joe looks down at her for a second, his eyes sparkling as he responds.
"That you wouldn't have to go through so much pain."
a/n: this may be my favourite chapter so far <3