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by S J Crabb
Chapter 43
Soon the end of term approaches. Somehow we have managed to survive the year and everyone is looking forward to the summer; that is everyone except for Ash and I.
One evening we sit on the Ridge looking out over the Town. Ash has his arm around me and I can tell that he is preoccupied. Leaning my head against his shoulder I say. “What is it Ash, something’s bothering you I can tell?” With a deep sigh I can feel him tense beside me. “You know what happens in the holidays Grace, I have to go to my father’s and I can’t get out of it. Despite the fact that I won’t see you for three months which is enough to destroy me, I will have to put up with him and his life for all of it.”
Sadly I feel the ache already forming in my heart. “I know. I am going to stay with my guardians and even though I have missed them so much it will be nothing compared to how much I will miss you.”
Drawing me tightly against him Ash groans. “If I could think of a way out of this then I would. We will just have to be strong and hope that the time passes quickly. One more year and then we will both be free to do what we want.”
Jumping up I pull him after me. “Come on, let’s not waste a minute. I’ll race you to the lake.” Laughing he chases after me and then grabbing hold of me lifts me up and jumps into the lake, both of us fully clothed. Squealing I wriggle free and then splash him and try to get my own back. Soon he grabs hold of me and we are kissing as though our life depended on it.
We spend the rest of the evening drying out and looking at the moon and stars as we lay side by side. Three months will soon pass and then nothing can stand in our way again.
The last weekend of term means that there is usually a big party to celebrate. This year it is at one of the other kid’s house, a nice girl called Hannah. Everyone is invited and very much looking forward to it, that is everyone but Ash and I. This will be the last time that we are all together until our senior year and tomorrow Ash is going to his father’s and my guardians are picking me up. All we really want to do is spend it together but feel as if we should also spend time with our friends.
Ash picks me up and whistles in appreciation. I have really gone to town and my long blonde hair is brushed to within an inch of its life and hanging loosely down my back. I have make up on to accentuate my bright blue eyes and I am wearing a black dress that clings to my body and high heeled shoes. My locket is firmly around my neck alongside Ash’s heart.
His eyes soften as he sees me coming. “If I couldn’t see that you are wearing that locket, I would think that you had left it behind. You look radiant Grace. I am almost too scared to take you to the party, you take my breath away.”
Grinning at him I wink suggestively. “I just wanted to make sure that you would remember me for the next three months.” Groaning he pulls me towards him. “I am tempted to take off with you on my bike and run away. It will be like a piece of me is missing when I leave tomorrow.” Despite the fact that my heart is heavy I sit behind him and grip hold of him tightly. “Come on, let’s try and have a good time.”
By the time we get there I notice that the party is well and truly under way. I can see the other bikes are already there and taking hold of my hand Ash takes me to find the others. I notice that we get many stunned looks from the others at the party. Even though I have made a huge effort Ash is looking incredible. His dark hair is messy from the ride over and his top is hugging his muscular chest, barely disguising what is underneath. He is wearing black jeans that sit low on his hips and his eyes flash with danger and pure sexual energy.
There is probably not a girl here who is not affected by him. He in turn throws angry looks towards any of the guys that he catches staring at me. It probably wasn’t such a good idea to go to town like I did because I notice that many of the guys can’t take their eyes off me. I feel cross that I forgot about it and finger the locket as if it can somehow pull it back in a bit more.
It seems like forever but we finally find our group. Even they can’t seem to tear their eyes away from us and I feel Ash tense up beside me. Squeezing his hand he looks down and I smile gently at him. Leaning in he whispers, “I may have to kill someone tonight if they don’t stop looking at you.” Feeling uneasy I know that this isn’t an empty threat.
Cally hurries over and drags me to one side and I notice gratefully that Jacob distracts Ash’s attention. She looks at me in wonder. “Oh my God Grace what has happened? You look radiant. It’s like the sun is shining out of you.” Blushing I look down. “Don’t be silly Cally, maybe it’s because I washed my hair or something.”
Laughing Cally gestures around us. “All conversation stopped when you two came into the room. I knew you were a hot couple but tonight you are both on fire.” Pushing her playfully I turn to look where the drinks are. Before I can move though Ash plants a drink in my hand and slips his arm around my waist. “You are not leaving my side tonight looking like that.” Cally blushes as he leans down and kisses me and doesn’t stop.
Putting my arms around him the drink falls to the ground as he pushes me against the wall. I’m not even sure how long we kiss for but I feel as though it is all night. I am sure that the temperature has increased to boiling point in the room and by the time we pull apart I notice that there are several people looking a bit stunned around us.
Ash laughs and pulls me on to his knee and then proceeds to laugh and joke with his friends.
Looking around me I see Cally cuddled up next to Jacob and think how lucky they are. Jacob will be working for his father this summer and Cally is working for her Aunt. They get to stay in town and spend the summer together.
Spying Piper and Gabe in the distance I laugh as I can see them making out on the dance floor. Some things never change. Gabe is going to be playing football all summer and Piper is off on vacation with her folks. They will have some time together though and I wonder if they will move their relationship on by the time the next semester starts. I admire them for holding out though.
Snuggling in to Ash I worry about him. He dreads spending time with his father and by all accounts always come back in a terrible mood. I can’t imagine what goes on there and push the thoughts firmly out of my mind.
I am looking forward to spending time with Aria and John. They have told me that they have planned a vacation and have lined up a summer job for me in a nearby shop. I will miss Aunt Sarah and Gabe though. Thinking about Aunt Sarah I laugh to myself. Since Mr Watson opened his new shop she has been helping him almost every day. They don’t know that we know but both Gabe and I watch them trying to hide their feelings for each other with amusement. It’s only a matter of time before they are a couple that much I do know. I still can’t believe that Ash did what he did. Nobody ever did find out and I feel happy at the thought that he won over Mr Knight. He no longer has any hold over Mr Watson as the shop he rents isn’t one of his.
Time moves on and Ash whispers, “Let’s go and spend the rest of our last night alone. I need to make the most of you to keep me going for the next three months.” Saying goodbye we jump up to leave. Jacob pulls Cally up and moving next to Ash grins. “We’re leaving too. Probably got the same idea as you.” They grin at each other and Cally raises her eyes up.
Linking arms with me we walk ahead of them. We can hear them fooling around behind us and Cally grins. “We’ve had the best year ever Grace haven’t we?” Nodding I laugh happily. “What ever happened to the invisibles?” Grinning she looks at me and raises her eyes. “Not so invisible now are we. Who’d have thought?” As we head outside we can’t stop giggling.
All of a sudden though I hear someone shouting my name as though in slow motion. Turning my head in the general direction it all becomes blurred as I hear the sound of screeching tyres and feel myself being propelled forwards through the air. My face hits the ground and a sudden pain rushes through me. Then I hear the screaming and it doesn’t stop.
I hear a car moving away and it seems like ages before I can lift my head.
I feel somebody pulling me up and all I can hear is somebody screaming. Opening my eyes I see Ash looking down at me tears running down his face.
“Grace, please speak to me are you ok?” As my body adjusts to his words I realise that I am. I can feel a pain in my head and my face hurts but otherwise I feel fine. Sitting up I suddenly see a heap on the ground behind me. Looking in horror I make out a leather jacket and see Cally screaming and crying as she holds on to Jacob who is lying motionless on the floor.
Pushing Ash away I crawl over to them and look at him lying there. He is out cold and frantically I feel for a pulse. I can’t find it and look at Ash in agony. His tears are falling quickly and I know that I haven’t got much time.
Looking at him I whisper, “I can help him Ash.” Looking destroyed Ash shakes his head. “He can’t be dead he can’t be. He saved you both we have to save him.” Cally screams again and I notice that the rest of the gang have arrived and are staring in disbelief. Ash shields me from them and shouts angrily. “Jace, get Cally out of here and keep everyone away.” Jace carries Cally kicking and screaming and the others create a wall separating us from the others their backs to us.
Looking at me with a tortured expression Ash says, “I can’t lose you or him, what can we do? If they find out your secret I will never see you again.”
Shaking my head I look at him in agony. “We don’t have a choice, I have to do this.” Suddenly Ash shouts, “Nobody turn around and don’t let anyone in otherwise I swear on my life I will kill you all.”
Looking at Jacob I know that he is almost gone. Quickly I remove the locket and feel myself escaping. With one last look at Ash I hold my hands over Jacob’s heart and bend towards his lips. I breathe in through his mouth and let my energy fill him. Once I know that he has been filled I breathe out, sucking the pain and the injury with it until I can feel it flowing through me. I keep on going battling with the feeling that it creates in me. As my life changes with his I feel myself falling. I hold on for as long as I can until I can feel no more. Then there is nothing.