I studied Jackson's face in awe. The expression on his face was telling a complete different story than his eyes. His eyes held such an awful and great deal of grief that it was almost painful to look at him. To know that a person you loved more than anything in the world was feeling the worst pain a person could feel and you couldn't do anything about it was simply excruciating. My chest felt heavy as I tried to breathe in and out, trying my best to hide my own tears and feelings so I could help him. My heart ached as I watched him close his eyes to avoid knowing the fate of his mother as her casket was being lowered into the ground. The worst part was that I wasn't able to do anything. I could just enclose my fingers around his and lend him a shoulder to cry on. It was a horrific thing that had happened to him. His mother had recently passed away in a gruesome car accident. She had died on impact, there was absolutely nothing the Doctors or anyone for that matter could have done to save her. It was absolutely heart wrenching to realize how one day such a strong and beautiful human could just be taken away from you. I sighed and looked up at the people gathered to honor his mother. A few striking resemblances reminded me of his mother quite a great deal, perhaps her sisters. I scanned the crowd until I landed on an unfamiliar and out of a place face. A pale faced boy was staring directly at me with a great deal of anger. Dark hair and piercing eyes were glued onto me. The expression on his face displayed a great deal of anger and frustration. His eyes were misty with deep blue-purple dark circles underneath. I looked down at his chest and could almost decipher a strange tattoo peaking out form under his collar that put him even more out of place. Tattoos were taboo along with a lot of modern day things in Jackson's family because he came from a very posh and upscale family.
Suddenly, I felt Jackson's fingers release mine and broke out of my thoughts. He took a few steps back from his spot before turning hastily and beginning to stomp angrily to his car. I struggled to keep up with him as he took long strides. "Jackson!" I called after him trying my best to catch up. I finally reached him but he was already in his car and quickly sped away. I sighed and shook my head. I felt a cold hand on my shoulder and I gasped in fear as I turned around.
"I'm sorry Bridgette."his father began. "I didn't mean to frighten you dear. I just don't want you to take his actions to heart, he's just grieving his own away."
I nodded. "Yes of course Sir. I'm very sorry for your loss." I sympathized.
He chuckled dryly. "It's quite alright dear. Rose was the love of my life but it was her time to go and I can only be thankful for the time I had with her." He sighed. "You remind me of her a lot. The way you talk, your kindness, your appearance. Everything. My son is lucky to have you."
My lips parted but I wasn't exactly sure what to say. I was thankful when my father came up and patted him on the back and got rid of the awkward tensions. They had been best friends for a number of years and were buzzing away in a conversation when I asked my father for his keys.
"Where are you going honey?" My father asked handing me his keys.
"I just want to go and check on Jackson, I'm a little worried." I explained. He nodded and I took off.
A few minutes later I came upon the extravagant gold gate in front of his house and rolled down my window for the gate keeper to see who I was. To say Jackson was rich was an understatement. His father worth millions, and he had a luxurious home filled with top notch antiques and cars to showcase his wealth.
His father and my father both owned a company together and that was the reason Jackson and I had met in the first place. We had known each other since we were young and as we grew older we began to grow closer and eventually into something greater when he had asked me to be his girlfriend when we entered high school. Four years later as seniors it was better than ever.
The gate finally opened and I quickly drove in and got out of my car. I walked up the stairs and rang the doorbell a few times before he finally came down and opened the door. His eyes were red and swollen. His tear stained cheeks were curved up as he smiled at me. The stench of alcohol swiftly invaded my lungs as he lunged at me and pulled me into his arms.
"My baby!" He yelled outloud. "You're my girlfriend!" He slurred.
I shook my head. "Jackson!" I yelled in shock. "I understand you're hurting but drinking is not the way to solve your problems!" I scolded pushing him off of me.
"Oh piss off Bridgette! If I need a lecture I'll go to my mo-" he stopped when he realized what he was going to say. Instantly his face fell into a frown and he let the glass bottle in his hand fall onto the porch. The alcohol sprayed all over my shoes and drenched both our legs. He stared at me and one by one tears began to stream down his cheeks.
"I can believe she's gone." He mumbled. "She was mother, she can't be dead—I'm her boy. S-She can't leave me." He stammered.
I placed my hands on his cheeks and wiped away a few of his tears. "I know Jackson, I know." I mumbled teary eyed.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer into the house. The sound of glass crackled under our steps as he shut the door. We stood by the door for several minutes as he let out a several loud sobs. My heart was hurting for him. He was so vulnerable and was in a great deal of pain and I couldn't do anything about it but just tell him things I knew wouldn't take the pain away.
"I love you." He whispered a few seconds after. He pulled away from our embrace and smashed his lips against mine. I backed into the door uncomfortably and tried to move my face away but he wouldn't stop.
"J-Jackson stop it—" I mumbled as he tried to smother me. "Jackson stop it, you're drunk and you're not thinking clearly!" I yelled pushing him away.
He rolled his eyes and wiped the corner of his lips. "You should be lucky to have a boyfriend like me. You'd be damned to find someone else who would wait this long for you." He scoffed. "Come on! I'm a f*cking God! I can have any girl and I settle for the one who won't put out for me."
"Jackson, I'm sorry but no. You're hurting and drunk and I just wanted to make sure you were okay." I shook my head. "I'm leaving. I hope once you're feeling a bit more sober you can give me a call and I can come back."
"Well, don't expect anything because I'm fine. No thanks to you. Get out of here. You can't do anything for me."
"Jackson-" I started.
"GET OUT!" He screamed at me slamming his fist against the wall. "F*CK!" He yelled after pulling his bloodied hand from the wall.
My eyes widened and I quickly grabbed his hand. "Oh god, Jackson let me help-"
"No!" He interrupted angrily. "You've done enough for the day."
"Jackson, ple-" My bison blurred as I felt my body roughly hit the door. I opened my eyes and I painfully fake to the realization that he had just shoved me into the door. I watched him as he stumbled upstairs and disappeared into his room. Tears filled my eyes and began to stramndown my cheeks. Angrily, I wiped them away. Now wasn't the time to get emotional. He was grieving. I knew this wasn't him right now. I sighed and wiped my cheeks before heading up the stairs.
"J-Jackson?" I called out as I walked up.
"Bridgette I thought I told you to leave!" He groaned from his room. I sighed and opened the door to his room.
"Jackson." I sighed as I looked his bloody hand staining the bed. "Please. Let me help you."
"Bridgette you can't help me, this isn't something you can help with okay?"
I nodded in understanding and sat next to him on the bed. He stared at me as I fiddled with my hands.
"I know I can't even begin to comprehend the amount of pain you must be feeling but I just want you to know that I'm here for you and I always will b-"
"Bridgette-" he tried interrupting.
"No, listen to-"
He grabbed my hand. "Bridgette I get it okay? You want to help me and so if you do ju–"he let out a deep breath. "just lay here with me and help me forget this stupid day."
I smiled and climbed beside him. His arm wrapped around my waist and I placed my arm over his chest. "I'm sorry J." I whispered.
"Me too."