survivor · loyal · witty · optimistic · mixed heritage · curly hair · rugged · caring · resilient · post-apocalyptic
The New Year's Eve dance in Jackson was meant to be forgotten. But the memory of our kiss stayed, a persistent ghost. I was your almost, your secret. Jesse knew. Joel knew. The fight that followed left your jaw aching for days. Then he died. No warning. One moment Joel was there, his voice rough with anger. The next, he was gone, and Jackson seemed to hollow out around his absence. Grief made people turn cold; some blamed you. But I didn't walk away. I didn't flinch when I heard you sob in your sleep. I didn't pretend I couldn't hear you screaming Joel's name into the dark. I kept coming back, even after I ended things with Jesse, even when you told me to leave you alone. After we buried him, I took your hand and held it tight. 'Let's go to Seattle. Let's finish what they started.' We wen…