Days turned into weeks, and I never left town. There wasn't much I could do when I was supposedly dead. Anyone who watches the news could see me and I could be recognized. As much as I wanted to leave, I couldn't. I had to see Jordan one last time.
I decided against it, though. There was no way I could get in contact with her, and I couldn't just stroll into camp like nothing happened. All it takes is one person to see me, and Hunter comes back. So I had to stay away.
But somehow, despite all the time I spent listing reasons why going back wasn't a good idea, I found myself standing outside the camp wearing sunglasses and a hat. It wasn't a great disguise, but as long as no one came too close, I'm sure I'd be okay.
I had been paying attention to all the school's events, and I heard that there'd be a talent show. That was basically an open door, inviting me to go and see Jordan again. So I walked right in.
The stage was outside, and it was packed. The chairs were already all taken, forcing me to stand in the back. It had its advantages, though. If anyone saw me, I could run without having to pass too many people, and I wouldn't be caught.
Even though I really didn't want to be caught, I wanted Jordan to see me. I wanted her to kiss me, at least once more. We couldn't, though. Because it would just make it harder. It would be another goodbye that I wouldn't be able to handle.
There were a few acts that were quite interesting, but I was looking around for Jordan most of the time. I remember telling Alex that she had a nice voice, so I was desperately hoping that he forced her to get on stage. It was my only chance.
I finally saw Jordan when I looked up to see Alex pushing her toward the middle of the stage. She looked like she was going to be sick, but I couldn't have been happier. So Alex did force her to perform. I'd have to thank him.
If I ever get the chance.
Jordan fumbled as she positioned herself on the stool and adjusted the microphone. Her head tilted up as her eyes scanned the audience.
"Um, h-hi..." She stuttered, toying with the microphone. I couldn't help but smile as she blushed. "I'm... uh... Jordan Emery, and... um... I'm going to be performing Last Kiss by Taylor Swift..."
Jordan turned her head to the side to face the blonde who gave her a thumbs up. She let out a quiet breath before turning back toward the audience.
Her fingers began to strum on the strings of the guitar, and she looked extremely nervous.
"I still remember the look on your face," she sang softly, only making my smile grow wider. "Lit through the darkness at one fifty-eight... The words that you whispered for just us to know... You told me you loved me, so why did you go... Away?"
Her voice was amazing, and I couldn't believe she didn't think so. All though I expected to be ready to leave after I saw her one last time, I'm not. All I want to do is hug her tightly and never let her go. But I couldn't, and I hated it.
The song was about six minutes long, and she kept her eyes closed for the most of it. I listened to each and every word carefully, and couldn't help but think if this was how she was feeling. Jordan's voice shook when it was nearing the end, but I didn't think anyone noticed. She had such a great voice. I wanted to hear it every day for the rest of my life.
"Just like our last... kiss... Forever the name on my lips... Forever the name on my lips... Just like our-"
Jordan's eyes locked on me, and I froze. They crowd erupted in applause and she jumped off the stool, trying not to knock over the guitar. She began running down the stairs as I turned around and made my way through a small group of people.
I tried to make it look casual, but it was hard when I was trying to run away as quickly as I could. I was away from the group now, running toward the parking lot. Jordan had run with me, and I knew that she saw me. I had to talk to her, so there wasn't really a point to keep running now.
Slowing down, Jordan screamed from behind, "No, stop, wait!"
Suddenly, I felt someone wrap their arms around my neck and pull me to a stop. I could feel her body pressed against my back. My hat fell off, making it even more obvious than it was already. I let out a sigh, turning around and pulling my hat off her face.
"Persistent as always, I see..."
I pulled off the sunglasses, watching as Jordan smiled and wrapped her arms around my neck once again.
"Jesse! Oh, my God... Jesse! You're actually here... I can't believe you're actually here!" She cried out, holding me tightly.
"Yeah, well..." I shrugged, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her against me. "I'm not out of town just yet, so when I heard that there was a talent show, I thought I'd come to watch..."
"I'm so glad you're here," she breathed, standing on her toes as she pressed her lips against mine. When we broke apart, she hugged me once again. "I've missed you so much..."
"I've missed you, too," I whispered in her ear, holding her as tight as I possibly could. I never wanted to let her go. "I've really, really missed you..."
Our lips met once again, and I never wanted to pull away.
"Hey, Jordan-"
I pulled away when I heard the familiar voice. I knew this was a bad idea. What was I supposed to do now? I couldn't just run away. My arms were still wrapped around Jordan as I lowered my head and hid it behind hers, resting it on her shoulder.
Jordan let out a sigh of relief, but she said nothing. I couldn't imagine what Alex had to have been thinking when he saw us. As long as he didn't see my face...
"And who's this?" I heard Alex ask, probably grinning like a maniac. "Has Jordan had someone on the side the entire time?"
Jordan turned her head toward mine, looking like she didn't know what she was supposed to do. "I think it's okay to tell him," she whispered so Alex couldn't hear, loosening her grip on me. "It's Alex. Alex knows everything about us, Jesse... We can't just keep him in the dark..."
I knew she was right, but I wasn't sure how he'd react. For the past two weeks, he thought I was dead. I have no idea how he reacted to my death, but I didn't want him being upset with me.
"Secrets?" Alex said, amusement dripping from his voice. He leaned forward and whispered, "Whispers don't make secrets..."
When he realized he had said something wrong, he corrected himself. "Wait, no. I mean secrets don't make friends..."
Jordan rolled her eyes, pushing at my chest a little. "It's okay to tell him," she spoke louder, like she wanted Alex to hear. I didn't move a muscle. "It's Alex. You know you can trust Alex."
There was no way I'd be able to get out of this now. Alex looked confused and Jordan gave me a reasoning look. Slowly, I raised my head from her shoulder and stood up straight. I turned to face Alex, feeling ashamed and shy.
His eyes widened, and I had a feeling that this was going to end badly. "Jess?"
"Yeah, it's me," I nodded uncomfortably, shoving my hands into my pockets.
Alex's eyes were still wide and he looked as though he saw a ghost, which would've been funny under the circumstances. "I thought... I thought you were dead!"
I shrugged, knowing that this was where it would get awkward. I kept a secret from him that involved my life. My eyes fell to the ground as I said, "Well, everyone did. Everyone but Jordan, that is."
He turned toward the girl standing next to me with a look of hurt on his face. "Why didn't you tell me, Jordan?"
"I told her not to tell anyone," I cut her off before she could say anything, holding a hand in front of her face. "I knew that you would try to stop me if you knew what I was doing, so I didn't tell you. It's my fault, not Jordan's."
"And what are you doing?" Alex asked, furrowing his eyebrows as he took a step closer. "Why would you leave Jordan behind when she has Hunter and everything to worry about? I thought you wanted to protect her, Jesse."
"I am protecting her," I informed him, shaking my head slightly. "Hunter said he'd leave Jordan alone once I was dead. Hunter thinks I'm dead, so he'll leave Jordan alone."
"And yet you're back here."
"I needed to see her one last time," I told him. "I wasn't really planning on her seeing me..."
"But I did," Jordan said proudly, crossing her arms over her chest. "It was an okay disguise and everything, but you should have known that I'd see through it."
I shrugged looking right into her eyes. "Maybe I just wanted you to catch me."
Jordan took a step forward, but before she could hug me once again, Alex wrapped his arms around me. He stepped away after a few seconds, running a hand through his hair uncomfortably. I shuffled around awkwardly and he did as well.
"I can't stay very long," I told them, and Jordan took a step closer. She wrapped her arms around my waist, burying her face in my chest.
"I love you," she held me tighter, and I wrapped my arms around her back. "I love you so much, Jesse."
I turned to face her, smiling as I did so. "I love you too, Jordan."
She pulled away, glancing at me for a moment before jumping up and crashing her lips against mine. One of my hands traveled to the back of her head as the other one wrapped around her waist.
We pulled away and turned toward Alex, who had his eyes covered. "Take care, Al," I said, wrapping my arms around him and patting his back. Lowering my voice, I whispered, "Make sure she goes to Yale. She promised me she would, but... you know Jordan."
He pulled away, giving me a small smile. "I'll make sure she does."
I smiled, giving him a small nod before turning back toward the brunette girl with tears forming in her eyes. She wiped them away before they could fall, trying to hide the fact that she was crying.
"You take care of yourself," she told me sternly, wiping her eyes again. "I want you to make something of yourself and don't just be a bum on the street. Be someone, even if you don't use your real name. I just don't want you to live regretting what you did to protect me..."
"Hey," I said as she began to cry, lifting up her chin to face me. "I will never regret making this choice. Because as long as you make something of yourself, I make something of myself. As long as you're safe and protected, my life is completed."
Jordan sniffed, looking up at me. "I love you."
I gave her a sad smile, never wanting to leave. "I love you, too."
My face moved closer to hers, and our lips touched once more. I never wanted to break apart, but I'd have to leave soon. Although Hunter is a man of his word, and said he'd leave Jordan alone, that doesn't mean he isn't still watching her. If he saw me alive, I could be killed, or we could be right back where we started. So I pulled away.
I turned around, and I could feel Jordan's eyes on me as I walked away, just like the first time. Something about it just didn't seem real, but I couldn't put my finger on it. It didn't seem like it would be the last time I'd see Jordan. In fact, it wouldn't be the last time I'd see Jordan.
I'd make sure of it.