Chapter Twenty Eight The Second Half

As the day went by it got closer to the day I didn't want to happened but it did, and there was nothing I could do about it. She died four days after Chance told me his story.

Four days.

I wasn't the best comforter out there but at least I wasn't the worse. I always hated people who said:

"It's okay. She's in a better."

No, it wasn't okay. It never will be okay. You only learn how to get use to that pain. You would always miss them more as the days passed by.

And in a better place? That might be true but it did nothing to ease the pain you're feeling. Nothing you could say could make it any better. Nothing at all.

I guess I could be glad she wasn't suffering anymore. But if she was in any pain, those last few days, she didn't show it.

She had that heartwarming, sweet, smile on her face the whole entire time. I was happy I got to spend time with her. It was only for immediate family but Rhesa had wanted me to be there.

Chance's older sisters flew into town and we did everything to make Rhesa smile and laugh. She wasn't scared that she was dying. She was just sad that she had to leave her family so soon.

Before I left her, the night of her death, she told me something I would never forget. It was about Chance, her only son.

"Cole, I want to thank you for being here. I know Chance would never admit this but I know he's glad that you are. He might not have made the best decisions but believe me he isn't some cruel heartless person. What he did to you was very wrong and I thank you for speaking with him and forgiving him. Thank you. You're a very very kind gorgeous girl and I'm please to know Chance had the chance to know you. Thank you for loving him and opening his eyes. You changed him and for that I'm thankful. I'm leaving this world soon but I wanted you know that. My family is going to be lost without me for some time but I hope that one day they would move on without feeling as sad. Especially, Chance. He doesn't handle sadness very well. I'm keeping you too long so I'm going to wrap this up and finish with a thank you."

She gave me her smile and I gave her one last hug. If I would've knew that would be the very last time I would've saw her, I would've told her she didn't need to thank me at all. I would've said anything but nothing.

When I heard that she passed away in her sleep, I broke down. I knew if I was feeling this way after knowing her for a short amount of time, her family felt ten times worse.

I showed up at her funeral and sat beside Chance as he cried. I wanted to be strong for him and let him know that he could lean on me during his time of grief.

I went to their house and did as much as I could. Leo took some days off of work and Evelyn and Heaven, Chance's sisters, stayed to be closer to their family.

Even though they didn't say it, I knew they were grateful I was there. But I didn't mind. No, not one bit. I was just glad they were allowing me to be there for them, with them.

I was in the kitchen, preparing the meal when Chance finally spoke to me. His eyes were still red from the tears and his had dark circles under his eyes.

"Have you watched the video?"

I shook my head. "No. Not yet."

"Why not?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm scared to see what's on there."

"You don't have to be. I promise it's not bad like the first video." He assured me.

I rise the cherry tomatoes before adding them to bowl of salad. I mix the bowl with the two wooden spoons I found. Chance watched me.

"Thank you, Cole."

Lately that was all I've been hearing and it really wasn't a problem. Anyone with a heart would've done what I did. And this was my way of saying sorry for what I did to him at the restaurant.

I glanced up at him. "You don't have to thank me. I wanted to it."

His eyes held a sadness that would take awhile to disappear. And if what Rhesa told me was true, it would take much longer to fade if not hidden away from the world.

"I miss her." He said, lowly.

I stopped what I was doing and moved away from the counter. I opened my arms and embraced him. I could feel his tears as he rested his chin on the top of my head.

"I know you do and your entitled to feel the way you do. Your family is here and lean on them. Don't be afraid to talk to them about whatever. I don't want you to hold it all in. It isn't good for you. And I'll be here to." I told him.

I wasn't great with words. I didn't know what to say. I never lost someone that meant so much to me in my entire life. All my grandparents were still here with me. I had my mother, Richard and my brothers.

Sure I been to funerals before but I didn't know them that well. We weren't as close as Chance was to his mother.

Yet, I wanted him to know that it was more than okay to cry.

"Remember all those great, amazing, memories you shared with her." I added. "Hold on to them, cherish them. If you take you to a special place, don't be scared to go back to them. Go and feel her presence."

I leaned back and looked him in his teary green eyes. He nodded his head.

"Okay." He said.

I gave him a small smile before walking back to the counter to finish the meal. I stayed for dinner and washed the dishes. I said my goodbyes and just as I was walking out the door, Leo stopped me.

"Cole?"

I turned my head in his direction. He looked just like the rest. His eyes held the same sadness, maybe just a little bit more. He looked defeated. I mean he had lost the love of his life.

"I can never repay for your kindness. Thank you for everything you have done. We really appreciated it. If there's anything you need, do not hesitate to let us know."

I nodded my head. "You're welcome, Mr. Kenning and I don't need anything. I'm glad to help."

He nodded. "Thank you, again. Have a goodnight."

I couldn't tell him to have a goodnight. He buried his wife today. So instead of saying anything, I just smiled at him before walking away.

I drove in Levi's car again. He and Chance might not have been the best of friends but Levi showed sympathy to him. The whole football showed up to the funeral to support Chance. A few other people I recognized from school arrived too. Even the teachers came.

Chance had many people supporting him but he didn't show them to side of him that he showed me. He still wanted to be strong but behind closed doors, it was different story.

Most people assumed that we would get back together but we weren't. We both knew that without having to say it out loud. He needed me and I was willing to be there for him.

But just because, we weren't going to date ever again, didn't mean I didn't want to be his friend.

Yes, I forgave him but I wasn't going to forget what he did. I was willing to move on and so was he. We had some good memories that I wouldn't trade for anything. I wouldn't forget the way he made me smile, laugh and happy.

Rhesa was right; he wasn't a cruel, heartless person. He was just the opposite of that. And if throwing a drink on him was what it took for him to realize what he did was completely wrong then I was glad I did it.

I parked the car and stepped out. I walked to my room and Cassidy wasn't there. I flipped the lights on and stepped out my heels.

I bend over to pick them up and placed them in my small closet. I took my black dress over and swapped it for a t-shirt and shorts. I put my hair in a quick bun and sat on my bed.

I looked at my small dresser by my bed and glanced over at Cass's laptop onto of her bed.

I stood up and reached for the computer. Once I had it, I sat back down and opened the second drawer. I grabbed the CD holder Chance gave me.

I tapped on it with my thumb, repeatedly, as I bit my lower lips. I didn't know why I was so scared. Chance told me twice, already, that I had nothing to be scared about. It wasn't like the first video.

So with that in mind, I placed the disk in and hit play.

It was the same night as it was in the first video and Derek was still the one recording. He was still asking Jayce questions and Jayce answered them the same has he had in in the first clip.

I wanted to turn it off but Chance made a promise to me. So, I kept watching it.

After the sixth question, there was a turning point. Jayce said something that changed everything.

"But I couldn't do any of that to her. I can't. Cole isn't just some girl. She's much more than that. She's my best friend. The one I can tell anything to and I know she will be there. She's my supporter. One of my biggest fans. She's my partner in crime." He smiled. "Even though she hardly does anything to get into trouble. She's a beautiful girl and I'm glad I'm her friend. Well, was her friend." He correct himself. "She's simply just an amazing person. She doesn't hide behind anything. She's naturally beautiful even if she wouldn't believe you if you were to tell her that."

Hearing him say all that about me, made my heart swell up. Jayce had feelings for me. He thought I was beautiful. I never heard him ever say anything like this to any of the girls he dated before. If you could even call it that.

He truly meant what he said and that brought tears to my eyes. But what I couldn't understand was why he would do what did to me?

Why did he treat like I was some girl? It didn't make any sense. Why would he date Arianna if he was feeling that way?

Did he not know he said all this?

I mean he was pretty drunk but he could remember most things even as wasted as he was. He had a good memory. Well, at least when he wanted to.

I couldn't help but rewatch the video over again. I skipped ahead to the sweet part and watched his face, carefully. I watched to see if I missed anything from the previous times I rewatched it.

But nope, I didn't. He still meant what he said and my heart still felt the same way as it did the first time I watched it.

Even after I closed the laptop and sat it aside, his words were still in my mind, playing on repeat. And the smile on my face wasn't going away anytime soon.

He still had some explaining to do but I would worry about that later. Right now, I wanted to stay on my cloud. I wanted to stay smiling.

The thing that made me the most happiest and the most shocking was the last words he said before the video ended.

He had frowned a little as if he was realizing what he was saying. That last line was imprinted in my mind and I was never forgetting it.

"And I think I might be in love with her."