My Immortal

Fay tried to come to terms with what she was feeling.

But no matter how she tried to spin it, no matter how many different angles she looked at the situation from, she couldn't make sense of it.

She had always known life was short, that we were only in this world for a limited amount of time, but this was the first time she had experienced it with someone close to her.

Just yesterday, she and Cree were your ordinary, happy teenage couple. Kissing in the rain, sneaking out at night, going to parties, just...being in love.

And today, Fay's standing in front of shrine surrounded by a bunch of flowers and weeping people, staring at two urns full of ashes.

She had been woken up this morning by her mother calling her down the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom of the staircase, she saw her mother standing in front of the door beside two police officers.

Her mother looked like she was fixing to cry, but trying to hold it together for her sake.

Fay walked up to her mother. "Mom? what's wrong?"

Her mom took a deep breath, looking to the officers before back to her. "It's Cree."

Fay's brows furrowed. "What about him? I just saw him yesterday."

Her mom took in a shuddering breath.

"Um, well, last night, their house caught on fire. Cree and his mom didn't make it out."

Fay's hearing faded out. She started breathing heavily, her vision blurring. The next thing she knew she started to wobble and her mother had to reach out and catch her before she hit the floor.

When she came to, her mom was sitting in front of her. Upon seeing that she was awake, her mom immediately reached her hand out and placed it on her forehead.

"Hey baby. I'm glad you're awake." she said, stroking her hair.

Fay groaned, sitting up slowly on the couch. "What happened?"

"You fainted, when you found out about Cree."

Fay swallowed. "Oh." she chocked out. "Do they know how it happened?"

Her mom sighed. "It looks like a gas leak."

Fay blinked. "Where was Cree's dad?"

"On a business trip. A neighbor saw the fire and called the cops, and they got in touch with him. He's making their arrangements now." her mom replied.

Fay grunted, hate surging through her. "Do you think he'll be happy that they're gone?"

"Oh honey. Cree's dad wasn't the nicest person but I believe he loved his family." her mom tried to assure her.

Fay shook her head. "You've heard the stories Cree told us, mom. He was horrible to them. I bet he's glad they're not gonna be around anymore."

Her mom sighed.

Tears rose up in Fay's eyes. "I can't believe he's gone."

Her mom hugged her. "Oh, sweetie. Me either."

Fay held onto her mom. She knew that her mother had been fond of Cree. Loved him and treated him like he was her own son.

Now they stood side by side, watching Cree's father shake hands with people and thank them for their condolences. Fay had to give credit was it was due. The man knew how to put on a font.

In public he appeared to be just another hard working, successful, loving family man. But the stories Cree told her about his father were much different.

He was loud, abusive, controlling, and cruel. He ruled over their household with an iron fist. His way was the highway and if anyone tried to disobey him, the man wouldn't hesitate to break out his fists.

The man was a monster. Yet here he was, playing the role of a grieving widow. The man who had just lost his beloved wife and only child.

His face was red and his eyes were moist. His lips were pinched together like he was trying to stop himself from sobbing or something.

Fay watched as the man excused himself from the crowd and walked toward the shrines, staring at both the urns in sadness.

Fay balled her fists, the utter fakeness and deception rubbing her the wrong way.

Her mother stared at her, her lips parting a little. "Fay, don't-"

But Fay was already stomping over the man. He turned his head towards her as she approached.

"How dare you?" she hissed at him.

The man looked around quickly before his eyes met hers. "I beg your pardon?"

"How dare you stand there, acting you give a damn about your wife and your son, with the way you treated them, I bet you're happy that their dead." she seethed.

The man's face turned red in outrage. "Who the hell do you think you are, coming at me like this? You shouldn't run your mouth about things you know nothing about! Now I loved my family, more than you'll ever know. Why my son ever chose to take up with you is something I never understood. You're a low class tramp not worthy of cleaning my son's shoes! Leave me alone!" the man snarled at her, turning on his heel and walking away.

Fay stood there fuming, a few stray tears falling down her cheeks. 

She tilted her head to the side, looking at the best picture of Cree on display. He looked so handsome. So happy.

She loved him. She loved him so much. He was the best boyfriend she ever had. He treated her like a princess, and he didn't let anybody else disrespect her either.

He was so perfect. And now he was gone. She would never kiss his lips again. Never hold his hand again. Never feel his arms around her again.

More tears fell down her cheeks, and this time she didn't try to wipe them away.

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

"Mom! I'll be back I'm going for a walk!" Fay called out to her mom as she walked out the front door.

"Okay, honey, be safe!" Her mom said back from the kitchen.

Fay stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jacket as she walked down the sidewalk.

She loved this neighborhood. It was full of vibrant trees, colorful flowers, happy couples, and laughing children.

She had taken to surrounding herself with positive memories here lately, to keep the depression at bay. It was working so far.

Fay took a shortcut down a side street and found herself partially hidden from the rest of the people.

She jumped and screamed when a hand grabbed a hold of her elbow and spun her around.

Fay brought her fists up and started to pound into the person's chest, when she looked up.

Fay froze. Her mouth fell open and her eyes went wide.

Cree was standing in front of her.

He gave her a gentle smile, "Hey, beautiful."

Fay struggled to find words. She thought he was dead. Yet here he was, in the flesh, right in front of her on the street, smiling at her like he always did.

"Cree?" Fay said bewilderingly. "What? I don't understand. You're supposed to dead."

Cree tilted his head to the side, his eyes dancing with humor. "You want me to be dead?"

Fay shook her head, still trying to shake off the confusion. "No, but, the fact is there was just a funeral service for you."

Cree squeezed her arms reassuringly. "I know. But I'm not dead, baby. If you give me a few minutes, I'd like to explain it to you."

Fay nodded.

Cree sighed. "My dad was getting out of control. The littlest things have been setting him off here lately. It got bad. Really bad. My mom and I had no choice. We had to do it."

"Do what?" Fay breathed.

Cree looked her directly in the eyes. "Fake our own deaths."

Fay's eyes widened. "Oh my."

Cree nodded. "We both made the choice. My mom's good friend is a healthcare worker who dabbled in a lot of other stuff. He's gonna help us disappear. New location, new names, new identity, all of it."

"Wow." She breathed.

Cree let out a breath. "My mom and him didn't want to let me see you. They thought you seeing me would screw up everything. But I didn't really give them a choice. I had to see you, one last time."

Fay sobbed and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close to her.

She breathed in his scent. He was here. He was really here. He was alive. He wasn't dead.

But he was leaving her. For good.

She pulled back and looked at him. Into his beautiful brown eyes. "So you're leaving? Forever?"

Cree's eyes turned sad. "I'm afraid so, baby."

Fay sniffed, trying to suppress the tears. "I'm never gonna see you again, am I?"

Cree wrapped his arms around her waist. He shook his head.

Fay sobbed, dropping her head into chest. Cree pulled her tighter to him, running his fingers through her hair. "Shh, baby, you're gonna be okay."

Fay looked up at him again. "When do you guy's leave?"

"In a few hours." he responded.

Fay nodded mutely, still looking at him, trying to sear the memory into her brain.

Cree sighed, holding her tighter. "I don't want to leave you. But my dad won't let us go. Me and mom will never be safe."

"I understand." Fay said to him, tears welling up again.

"I have to go." he told her.

Fay nodded sadly.

She looked past him. The sun was starting to set, and everything was cast partially into shadow.

Cree stroked her face, leaning towards her. "I love you."

Fay smiled a little, tilted her head up to meet his. "I love you too, Cree. Until the end of time."

Their lips connected, sweet and passionate and warm and real. It was definitely the best one they've had.

They pulled back, resting their foreheads against the other's.

Cree pulled back after a little while. He released her, but still held onto her hand.

He looked behind him, then back to her. He leaned towards her again. "I shall always be with you." he whispered into her ear.

Fay huffed out a laugh through her tears, nodding at him.

He kissed her cheek before walking away from her, their fingers slipping apart.

Cree turned around and smiled at her one last time, a smile so bright and full of love Fay's heart swelled a little.

Against the setting sun, he looked like an angel.

He rounded the corner and was gone, fading into the light.