Emilia

“Emi wake up. Please, wake up!”

Jen’s frantic plea cuts through my dream-induced haze and when I open my eyes, I’m disappointed to find I’m in my room. The morning sun shines bright through the white sheer curtains, which sway in the breeze coming from the open windows.

On any other day, I’d welcome the chance at an early start. Nothing compares to the cool mountain air of a summer morning, never mind the sights and sounds of nature as the world comes awake. Today, though, I’d give anything to go back to my dreams, where the events of the previous night replay in a loop of endless pleasure and contentment.

Last night was everything I’d imagined. The feel of his lips on my skin, the sweeping caresses, and his shiver-inducing touch as he explored my body. The way he held me so tenderly and yet possessively as if he was trying to imprint himself into every part of my being. He wrecked me in all the best ways I never knew I needed to be and ruined me to the point I can’t imagine doing what we did with anyone else. He’s it for me. Without question, he’s the only man I ever want to be with.

“Emi please, you need to wake up,” she sniffles. At the sound, I jolt upright, taking in the sight of her puffy eyes and the tears streaking down her face.

“Jen, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“He’s gone,” she heaves in a sob. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Pulling her into my arms, I close my eyes as the cold and unwelcome grief returns with a vengeance. For several hours, the bliss that is being with Lucas Holt pushed away all thoughts of death and loss, allowing me to forget the events that led us here.

“I’m so sorry. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay,” I stroke her hair, hating myself for reiterating the same useless platitudes I give whenever she wakes with a nightmare from that night. I’m her best friend. You’d think by now I’d have better insight to offer, but what could one say to ease the catastrophic feelings that come with losing not one, but both of your parents in such a sudden, tragic way?

“No, it’s not. How can you say that? How can you possibly know that?” Agitated, she pulls away. Rising to a stand, she begins to pace. “How could he do this? How could he leave like this?”

Confused, it takes a second to process what she’s saying. A wave of tension creeps up my spine as dread settles deep in the pit of my stomach.

“Who, Jen? Who are you talking about?”

“Lucas!” she blurts. Her bloodshot eyes glower at me with anger that’s most likely not meant for me, but that’s not what stops my beating heart.

“What?”

“Lucas is gone. He left sometime through the night, leaving nothing behind but a note that your father won’t let me read.”

“No,” it must be some kind of mistake. “Luc wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t just up and leave like that, Jen.” Not after what happened between us last night, and he definitely wouldn’t abandon her after everything the two of them have already lost. “He probably walked down to the lake after waking with another nightmare. He’s been doing that a lot.”

“No. No, he didn’t,” she sobs. “Your dad and I already checked, and he’s not there. All his stuff is gone. His clothes, his pack, Clara. He took everything and left a note addressed to your dad.”

“He wouldn’t do that,” I choke up as my soul chatters at the mere thought he might. “We talked last night. At first, he was upset, but by the end he was good. I swear to God he was good.” He was. At least I think he was, but what if I missed the signs he wasn’t okay? What if in my sex-induced haze, I neglected to see the turmoil still churning inside of him?

Suddenly sick to my stomach, I rush out of bed and slip on the robe hanging on the back of my door. He wouldn’t do this. Not after he made love to me last night. Not after he whispered so many pretty words and told me he loved me with a sincerity that struck deep and infused him into every fiber of my being.

Not waiting for her to follow, I hurry down the stairs. My father’s voice reaches me before I make it to the kitchen, and though I can’t hear what he’s saying, his frenzied tone confirms what my heart refuses to believe.

He’s gone. After the most amazing night of my life, after he made sure my heart could only ever be his, he left.

How could he do this?

How did I miss the signs?

How am I supposed to go on when he’s the other half of my soul?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Want to see the letter Lucas left for Emilia’s father? Read on to the next SECTION.