Love and Loss

I watch as he puts the car in park and gets out of the drivers side door. I stare out the window curiously watching as he heads to a small jewelry store. I see him disappear through the doors.
What on earth was he up to? I wish I could read him as easily as he could read me. I sort through possibilities in my head, but none of them make sense. I finally give up and sit silently, waiting for him to re-appear.
And then as if by magic, he steps out from the store waving behind him. He holds a small wooden box in his hand. Curious.
He flashes me a grin as he walks back to his side of the car and opens the door.
“Zach Johnson. What in the world?”
He puts his fingers to my lips to silence me. His warm breath takes over my mind. I sit dazed for a second before coming back to the regular world.
“What did I promise you earlier today?” he asks softly, cradling my face in his hands. His hands are cool, strong and gentle; just like hands should be.
“That you would be always be with me if I needed you.” I said at barely a whisper.
“Exactly.” he says reaching down to open the box. “I had already made the promise to myself to never let you go much earlier than this morning.”
As the box opens, a small silver locket comes into view. He takes it in his hand and rubs his fingers over it before giving it to me.
I gap at it’s beauty. It has a small diamond in the center, and it shines even without a lot of light. I open it gently. Inside there is a picture of Zach on one side, and me on the other.
“See Taylor, now I will be with you always.” he says happily, and pulls away from me softly. He puts the keys back into the car and backs out into the street, while I continue to gaze at the beautiful locket.
“Thanks Zach, it means a lot.” I say quietly, and drape it over my neck.
The words still ring in my ears as we drive away. Ill be with you always.

Always.

***

The next week at school went by in a daze. People welcomed me back to reality, but secretly I knew none of them cared. If they would have they would have tried to summon me back to the real world long before. Zach was the only one who had even attempted that. He was the only one that truly cared. If it wasn’t for him, I would be dead.
I heard a couple people telling Zach he was a miracle worker. He always laughed, but responded the same way to all comments of this sort.
“She never lost it completely, she just needed someone to steer her back on the road.”
I would roll my eyes of course when I heard this. He was actually a miracle worker, just to modest to admit it.
Zach was the only thing I was living for, and one thing to live for is enough for me. I am very glad he didn’t let me die. I would have hurt him in that process as well. I could stand the thought of hurting Zach in any way.
Oh, by the way, I know living for one thing is pretty pathetic. You don’t have to remind me. You don’t know how special Zach is to me though. When I am not with him, I will either be starring at or holding the locket he gave me.
Actually, when he is with me, I find myself starring then too. His presence makes me light, and airless. I can’t even help but wonder if our relationship is beginning to be something called love. It’s always been a brother sister kind of love, but is there even something more? I have never felt this way in my life. Even, I hate to say it, with Alex.
With Alex love was a whole different thing, presents and light delicate kisses, movies on the weekend with nice dinners. When I was with him I was happy, but I could also find happiness in things when I was alone. Now? I live for Zach, every moment is spent with him or in anxiety of his next arrival.
I don’t think I can deny it any longer. I think he loves me, and the scary thing is…I think I love him back.