E.

My hands grip the sides of the cold sink. My knuckles turn white as I watch myself in the mirror. My mind eats itself away with every second of my stare.

I reach for the orange pill bottle in the cabinet and grip it in my right hand. I read the label.

Take one a day. Taking more than prescribed could cause: nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, or death.

The bottle of pills were originally here from when I had gotten surgery on my lung where the doctor had spotted a lump forming. After the surgery, I was in a lot of pain.

My heart rate rises as I think over my decision. My hands become shaky once I take the cap off of the bottle. I stare at the white pills inside.

Without another thought, I pour the reminents of the bottle onto my palm. I shove them into my mouth and turn the faucet on, quickly downing the pills.

And there's no turning back now. I turn the faucet off and go back into my room, grab a blanket, and return to the bathroom. I sit in the corner of the bathroom between the wall and the tub.

I think for a moment and dig through the cabinets in the bathroom. I find an eyeliner and write a quick message on the mirror. And at the very end, I draw a small heart.

I go back to the corner, curl up into the blanket, and close my eyes.

xxx

H.

Sure, I'm pissed. But I'm more mad at myself that I left her alone. "Want a beer?" AJ offers, holding out a brown glass bottle to me. I shake my head and fumble with my fingers. "You miss her." He points out and plops down next to me.

I purse my lips and nod. "I do."

"I bet she misses you too," AJ sighs and focuses on the TV as he speaks to me. "She just needs a while to cool off. It's been a rough couple of days on both of you."

"I shouldn't have left her alone." I mumble, mentally cursing at myself.

"What else could you have done?" AJ chuckles slightly and takes a sip of his beer. "She told you to leave."

"And I was stupid to." I grit my teeth and hobble to my feet. "I'm going to her house. I want to apologize."

"Just text her." AJ shakes his head at me.

"I have. She hasn't even read them." I say skidishly. "I have a bad feeling. I'm going." I limp to the door and open it.

"Ugh," AJ groans and follows me. "I'll come with you."

xxx

Once we arrive at Emery's house, we both knock on the door but get no reply.

"Well," AJ sighs. "So much for that. Let's go." He tugs my sleeve.

I rip away from his grip. "Something's not right..." I murmur and twist the door handle. The door opens smoothly. "She always locks her door."

"Maybe she forgot." AJ offers. "Let's go." He tugs on me again but I pull away.

"Wait." I step into her house, my crutches clink across her floors.

"Harry. You're breaking and entering." AJ groans.

"Well, stay out there then." I scoff and head to the stairs.

"Harry," AJ whines at the door. I continue up the steps. "Ugh." He stamps into the living room. "You go up."

"I was planning on it." I tell him sarcastically and make my way to her room. There's no sign of her there. I check the smaller, empty room across the hall. Nothing. I also check both balconies. I huff and make my way to the bathroom.

I shove open the bathroom door and see her curled up in a little ball on the tiled floor with a blanket wrapped around her. I chuckle. "Why're ya sleeping in the bathroom?" I drop to her side and shake her a bit. "Em?" I laugh nervously. I look around the room in utter confusion and see a written message on the mirror.

I love you. ♡

I pull the blanket away and push the hair from her face. Her eyes are open but glazed over. In her hand, she holds an empty pill bottle. My stomach drops. "Em." I shake her but I get no response. "Tell me you didn't..." I gasp quietly and pull her into my lap. "Em!" I shout. "Fuck." I curse and pull her into the bathtub.

"What's going on?" AJ appears in the doorway with worried eyes.

"Call 911." I demand, forcing my fingers down her throat. He stands there still, not moving. "Fucking call 911!" I shout as tears spill from my eyes. "C'mon, Em." I whisper to her and try and get her to throw up, but I get no response. No gagging. Nothing.

I drag her out of the tub and start CPR on her. I thrust my hands against her chest, pinch her nose, and blow air into her lungs. Still nothing. I continue on, but press harder with every thrust of my hands. "You can't be dead." I cry. "Please, baby."

I pull her limp body into my lap and rock her gently. "Emery, you're okay. You're okay." I say into her hair, kissing over her face. "Are the ambulances on the way?" I shout through quiet sobs.

"They'll be here soon, Harry..." AJ becomes quiet and drops to my side.

"Emery. You're not dead," I shake my head and wipe away my tears. "You're not dead, baby." I hold her closer to me, hoping to feel her heartbeat. All I feel is her gentle body turning cold. "You're not dead."

AJ tries to pull me away from her but I jerk away. "Harry, stop. She's gone." AJ says quietly with a frown.

"No!" I shout, caressing her cheek. "She's not dead. She's okay. She's okay!" I scream.

"Harry..." He starts again. I shove him away and kiss her gently.

"Please. Wake up, Em." I whisper. But I soon realise I'm only talking to myself. "You're not gone. You can't be. I'm sorry I left..."

Sirens blare outside and soon enough, paramedics arrive at the bathroom door. AJ moves away so they can come in. One of the taller men tries to pull me away, but I refuse. "She needs our help, son. She won't be able to get help if you won't step away."

"She's not dead," I cry, trying to reassure myself. The taller man signals for others to come in and take me away. I thrash against two of the men's grasps as they pull me out of the room. My eyes stay locked on her lifeless body and everything becomes numb. I stop thrashing.

I watch as they pump an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth. Her chest rises and falls with every pump but once they stop, she still lies there peacefully. No sign of life left in that beautiful body of hers.

They continue on trying to pump oxygen into her but with every pump, I lose hope.

She's gone. "I love you." I choke out as a swarm of men bring in a yellow body bag. They gently settle her into the bag and zip it up without another word. An officer tries to question me but I'm stuck looking at that damned yellow bag. I turn to the officer who is crouched next to me on the floor. My eyes are surely red and my voice is raw from yelling.

I'm still not able to process anything that's going on. "Is she dead?" I manage to ask. The officer's face softens and he places his hand on my shoulder. With just the look on his face, I'm pulled back into reality. "Okay..." I chortle.

"Can I ask you some questions?" He wonders.

"Okay." I nod slightly. "Okay." I drop my head, watching as tear drops paint my jeans a dark blue. "Okay..."

---

I gasp as I awake from my slumber. Sweat is beaded on my forehead which causes my hair to stick to my head. I sit up quickly, noticing tears stuck to my surely red cheeks. I wipe them vigorously off of my face. A hand reaches to me and grabs my wrist. "Harry?" Her familiar morning voice rings in my ears. Her grasp is cold against my hot body. Her voice makes a lump grow in my throat. I crane my neck towards where her voice came from. Next to me, a tired Emery looks up to me with worried eyes. "Did you have a bad dream?" She croaks and sits up, grabbing my other hand. I swallow the lump in my throat.

I reply with a nod.

"Okay," She murmurs, rubbing circles on the back of my hands. "Want to tell me about it?"

I shake my head. "I'm okay. We're okay." I breathe and pull her into my arms. She hums against my touch, causing my stomach to explode with butterflies. "I love you so much."

She pulls back with her face flushed red. "I- Harry, I love you too." She admits, her breath burning my body with lust. I cup her cheeks with my calloused hands and pull her into a long awaited kiss. Like two ships crashing into each other, our lips crumble into one another. The kiss is long and sweet. I automatically relax under her touch.

Again, she pulls back. I can hear her heartbeat fluttering against her chest. "Beautiful." My breath wavers as I press my hand against her chest. I feel her heart against my hand assuring me that everything will be okay. "Stay with me?"

"Forever." She replies quickly and leans into me, pressing her head against my chest. Her words make my mind explode into a million pieces. "That was cheesy." She giggles with a snort.

"Forever just isn't long enough, love."

"You're a dork."

"Thanks."

---