The Girl Who Knew

   My name is Gianna Shultz. I'm just your everyday average 23 year old woman...except for the fact that I'm not. I know when those around me are going to die, and I can't do anything to stop them from death. It started when I was about 7. I dreamt my mother was going to die the next day. The next day, she got in a car accident on her way home from work. Since then, I've tried to avoid getting close with anyone, especially if I knew they would die soon. Until I met Claude.

   I started that Saturday morning just as I did every Saturday; at my favorite coffee shop. Now, I didn't believe in love at first sight. Then I heard his laugh. The most wonderful sound I had ever heard. Then we made eye contact. His bright emerald eyes met mine, and I melted. He asked for my name. "Gianna," I said. "Gianna..." he repeated. It sounded beautiful coming from his mouth. I asked for his name in return. "Claude." he said, with a smile that seemed to light up the whole room. 

   We sat together and talked for hours, and next thing I knew it was dark outside. He took me home, and I couldn't fall asleep due to my fear of discovering his fate.

   Eventually, I did fall asleep. I dreamt about him that night, just as I knew I would. Claude would die in 7 months. Part of me wished I would never have to see his wonderful self again, because I knew how this would end.

   I couldn't help it. I went back to the coffee shop the next day, hoping he would be there. He was. It took us no time at all to become friends, and even less time afterwards to become lovers. 

   It started when he kissed me. The most cliche situation I've ever been in, yet also the most romantic. We were talking in the coffee shop again, and it started raining. He decided that we better leave soon, as the dark clouds overhead predicted a nasty storm. He drove me home and walked me to my doorstep. Then, he pushed my soaked hair behind my ear and gently cupped my face. And we kissed. I felt like I was floating.

   Being around Claude made me feel like everything was perfect. But I knew it wasn't. I knew his fate — 6 more months of Claude, then he's gone...forever. I wish that knowledge would have kept me from loving him. Alas, it didn't. 

   The next 6 months were the best of my life. We moved in together quickly since Claude desperately needed a new place, and I didn't hesitate to spend as much time with him as I could manage to.

   It was all perfect. If it wasn't for the fact that I knew the end, I would almost say it was all too perfect. We spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentine's Day together. When Valentine's Day came, and we spent a wonderful day together, I wanted to tell him so badly. In three more months he would die. I couldn't though. He'd laugh it off, tell me I have the best jokes, and suggest we watch a movie. So I kept it to myself. 

   It was April. Claude told me he loved April, not only because it was his birthday month, but because it was spring. Claude loved spring. We spent loads of time outside together. Picnics, hikes, playing in the rain. His 25th birthday was a wonderful day as well; we watched his favorite movies, I cooked his favorite meals, we spent the day with his favorite people. It was all perfect. Except for the fact that it was April 16th. 

   Claude would die on May 16th. It was May 15th. Claude told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I cried. I cried for so long, because I loved him so much. And I knew this was our last day together. I tried to make sure it was a good day for both of us; we did our favorite things together. Before bed, I tried to convince him to stay home tomorrow. I thought, maybe he would be okay if he didn’t leave. Deep down I knew that wasn’t true though. Death would claim him somehow. 

   The next day, Claude was dead. He had died in a fire at work. And I knew all along that it was coming. Yet, I put myself through the pain of loving him. The last thing he said to me was, “I’ll see you at 2.” I wish that was how things went. 

   I helped Claude’s mother plan his funeral, and it was by far one of the most difficult thing I had ever done. Aside from, of course, spending 7 months falling deeper and deeper in love with a man who would inevitably die at the end of those 7 months. 

   Claude’s funeral was on May 26th. It was raining hard. I knew most of the people there, seeing as Claude didn’t have many friends. It was mostly his family and some of mine, but a few of the workers from our favorite coffee shop were there, too. No one said much of anything to anyone. Claude was loved by so many people. I hope he knew that.

   “Claude and I met eyes in a coffee shop 7 months ago, and that’s what made me a believer of love at first sight. I would love to be able to tell him a few things face to face, but sadly the world has brought us to a place where that’s no longer possible. With that said, I wish we could have had more time together, my love. Thank you for making me the happiest I’ve ever been. You were a beautiful ray of sunshine, and always kept me happy, even when it was hard. Thank you for everything. I love you so much. I won’t stop loving you until the day we meet again. Goodbye and rest in piece my wonderful Claude.” After a few more words from family and friends, they lowered his coffin into the ground, and that was the end.