Aelin POV

We first met when I was 17. Broken and vulnerable. I hated my life so much that I have attempted to commit suicide so many times, more than I could count. I was sitting for my History paper, and I couldn't think of anything. I couldn't write anything. My answer sheet was blank, just like my mind. I started to panic, started to shake and I was on the verge of breaking down, when a hand softly held my shoulder, patting my back gently, and telling me that everything is fine. I could feel the large hand on my back was shaking as well, but his effort of trying to comfort me was what made me so calm. It was almost like, someone actually cared for me. It was almost like, I did not need to worry about anything when I have this hand holding me. When I finally calmed down, I started to write on the answer sheet normally. After I was done with my paper, I turned back to thank this person, but to my surprise, the person was not there.

"Ms. Johnson, is there someone behind me earlier?"

"No one, honey. It was just me in here monitoring you. You did great, Aelin." Ms. Johnson patted my back before taking my answer sheets.

Days passed by, and these things kept on happening. Whenever I turned back, I couldn't see him. I was sure it's him. Because of his deep voice. His voice wasn't too deep, but I love how he sounded. He always spoke with a soft voice, caring and gentle.

I remember I talked about him to my therapist every time I have the therapy session. I really did not trust him at all at first. I mean, who would freaking believe this thing? In the end, my therapist just told me that it was my imagination. That he wasn't real. That it was just me, daydreaming. But, somehow, I could feel it. I could feel it's real.

I could feel..... He is real.

✾✾✾

It was my Independence Day. The day I was finally set free from my high school. I sat there on the cold floor with my eyes closed, meditating, or more like thinking, what the hell has been going with me these past few weeks. I could hear the door creaked open. I could feel someone sitting right in front of me. I don't know why I was feeling so emotional. But when I feel like he's there, I feel calm. I feel relaxed. I feel like, I can be me.

"It's okay." He said.

"I'm here." His soothing voice made me broke into tears. Not because I hate it, because I had been longing to feel this way. I know, my family is always there for me, but I could never tell them the truth of how I have been feeling. They would be worried about me, and I didn't want any of them to worry about me. I didn't want to be a burden to anyone. But sometimes, I'm tired of pretending. I wanted to lean on someone. I wanted someone to see my vulnerable side and yet still stay by my side. And this person right here is who I have been looking for.

Jayce POV

I was sleeping soundly. When somehow, I end up in a place that I never have been gone to. I saw the signboard but wasn't familiar with the wordings.

What is this place?

I walked around the place, which seemed like a school to me.

I could not believe what I am seeing, I tried to piss my pant. I tried to hit myself. I hit my pretty face, even to the extent of me checking whether my private part is still mine. Does that even make any sense? 

I walked around, trying hard to grasp the situation that I got stuck in right now.  Until I saw a young girl in her uniform, alone in a big hall and accompanied by a few teachers. She looked like she's struggling alone.

There were so many questions in my mind. It looked like an important exam or event, but why was she alone? Why was she, alone, being supervised by a few teachers? As I was busy figuring out this woman in the hall, she suddenly looked pale and was sweating. I didn't know how I got the courage however before I even realized it, I was already walking towards her, and standing behind her. 

My hand slowly moved to her shoulder. I wanted to console her so badly, I wanted to comfort her. I had no idea why I was feeling so heartbroken when I saw her tears almost falling from her eyes. I didn't know why my hands were shaking too. The moment my hand touched her shoulder, she jolted. The reaction of her made me feel this was real. It didn't make any sense. I knew that. 

But why did this feels real?

I have never experienced something as crazy as that. This was really odd.  I decided to focus on her, instead of my crazy thoughts. 

"Everything is fine. You are not alone." Again, she was shocked. With my trembling and sweaty hand, I continued to pat her shoulder to comfort her. Slowly, I could feel like she was finally calming down. She started to write on her blank paper and unknowingly, I smiled in relief. After her exam ended, she turned around to look at me, I bet she was also confused to have a ghost like me - 

Wait I am a real human being I am not a ghost!

Whatever it is, I was quite nervous but the moment she turned around, I was kind of ready to say hello to her. How do I say hello to her without scaring her? I mustered up my courage as I saw her turning around to see me. 

"He-"

And the next thing I know, I was already in my room. My hand, which was holding her shoulder was raised mid-air, which means, I did meet her. I did hold her shoulder. 

"What the fuck happened just now?"

Days passed by, and all I could do was just stay by her side, giving her comfort and assurance to my best level. Day by day, I also have started to grow fond of her. She didn't do much. It was just the fact that even though she was having a hard time, she tried hard to keep going every day. She tried to make herself happy in front of her family, though, from what I saw, her family knew she wasn't okay. From time to time, her very close cousin would come to accompany her during her weekend or day off from her university. My first impression of her was she's a freaking scary person. She looked at people like she could kill them and never really smile. Her cousin seemed to be quite clever, just like one of our band members. Well turned out my impression of her was totally wrong. 

I have never met a woman as crazy as her in my whole life...

I felt relieved whenever she's with her because, at the very least, she can help her forget all the bad thoughts she had and all her troubles seemed to go away because of her cousin's very wild craziness. I never really met her but her craziness sometimes embarrassed me too... 

I guess in a way, she was too busy taking care of her crazy cousin she forgot all her worries and problems...

Finally, her Independence Day! I am so happy for her that she survived to go through all the hard days, pushing her limits. I am so proud of her... 

That night, she sat on the floor. I wasn't there with her, but I could see her from my place. I don't know, it just happened that way. It's like, I can see her even from my place whenever I wanted to. Slowly, I seem to get the hang of it. It's still a mystery to me, but I kind of get used to it over time.

It looked like she's waiting for me.

I walked to her room, opening the door. The door made the creaking sound, and I knew she knew I was already there.  I sat across her, sitting cross-legged like her and then peeking at her face as she had her head down low, her long black hair covering her small face. I kept on moving to see her face and accidentally made our knees touched. 

Her body started to shake, and slowly I heard her crying. I felt sad whenever I heard her crying, whenever I saw her breaking down. I had no idea why I was feeling this way, it was just like a part of me was hurting as well. 

"It's okay," I told her.

"I'm here." By now I knew for a fact she needed me, and I knew for a fact, I wanted to be by her side for as long as I could, for as long as she would let me. I knew for a fact, we are destined for something together. I wasn't sure yet what was that something, but I knew, we will need to find the answer together. 

The voice, telling me to protect her with all my life. I heard it, loud and clear.