Dylan’s POV

“Adena!” I called after her,  watching her run away from me. I wanted to chase after her so bad, but I knew it would be hopeless. I didn’t think she would ever forgive me now. I really messed up.

But I couldn’t just ignore Jackie. Jackie has done so much for me. She is nice at times too...when she wants to be. She is pretty. That’s a good thing. She hates tomatoes like me, so we have stuff in common.

“Dylan!” Jackie’s annoyed voice echoed into the night. I reached down and grabbed the bracelet off the ground before turning around and trailing Jackie back into the gymnasium. I hoped that I had made the right decision. “Before I dance with you, I want to take pictures with Brooke. Kyleigh's been a pain lately. So yeah, wait here for a couple minutes. Be back!”

Standing alone to the side, I watched as Jackie left. But I didn’t really care. I couldn’t get the look in Adena’s eyes off my mind. It was horrible to have to see her like that.

Should I have told her how I felt? Should I have left Jackie there and ran off with Adena?

All I knew for sure was that I wanted a drink. Or two.

“Dylan!” Grady came running up to me. “What’s up?” I was still at a loss for words, so I couldn’t speak “What’s wrong?” He wondered.

“I…” I started, not knowing exactly how to tell him that I broke Adena’s heart.

“Where’s Adena? I haven’t seen her in a while. I wanted to keep an eye out for her since this is her first dance.”

“She left.”

“What? And you let her?” Grady snapped.

“Jackie showed up and Adena said I had to chose one of them and I couldn’t just-” Before I could finish Grady was already heading towards the door. "Where are you going?" I asked him. He didn't even allow me to finish my sentence before darting off. "Grady?" I questioned, walking after him. He stopped and turned to me.

"You wanna know something? You’re an idiot."

"What?"

"Ever since your mom died, you haven't been the same. Sure, you've pretended you are and you would laugh at other people's jokes, but we all knew you were dead inside. And Jackie? She... well, did nothing to help! And then Adena came along and guess what? She changed your life. You were happy again. And what did you do about it? You let her walk away."

"Grady-"

"Think about Dylan. What has Jackie done for you? Gotten you a scholarship. Adena? She brought back the old Dylan from the dead, dude. She got you to stop drinking and brought something up to your dad you were too scared to tell him yourself. Think about it!" Grady snapped, walking away.

I stood there for a moment, processing what he had just said.

Adena. Just her name made me smile.

I thought of talking to her for the first time. Hearing her laugh had made me laugh. I thought of all the times we talked, laughed, and had fun. I thought of Adena breaking down, and I thought of myself holding her. I thought of kissing Adena and the sparks it sent through my body. Holding her up in my arms as we won the balloon toss and kissing her in the parking lot. Seeing her face light up as I gave her the bracelet and seeing her come down stairs in her dress.

Looking down at the bracelet in my hands, I read the words to myself. It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends.

It was by choice. My choice. Holding the bracelet in my palm, I knew I had made the wrong choice.  I had started towards the front door when Jackie grabbed onto my hand and pulled me back.

“Where do you think your going?” She snapped.

“To tell the person I love that.. well, I love her!”

“But I’m right here?” She questioned.

“No,” I shook my head. “I love Adena with all my heart. You're just a rotten person who enjoys making people miserable.”

“Excuse me?” She snapped. “I can have my dad take away your scholarship. I don’t think you want to talk like that.” She smirked. I now saw her for the monster she was. I knew she was bad, but I didn’t think it went this far.

“We’re over, Jackie. I wanted to do it nicely but I’m not sure you even deserve to be told that way. Now, if you'll excuse me.” Running out of the gymnasium I started running towards Adena’s house, passing Grady on the way. I knew it would take to long to get my car out of the parking lot and drive there. Sprinting from the school, I made my way to Adena’s.

Luckily, Adena didn’t live too far away from the school, so I knew I could make it in record time.

A light drizzle dampened the mood. It made me feel like a guy in the movies who always chased after the girl after a horrible argument or something. I just hope I get a happy ending like he did.

Drawing nearer to her house, it felt like the temperature dropped the closer I got. When I saw my breath in front of me, I knew I would have red cheeks and ears. I should have grabbed a jacket. I laughed out loud.

Adena made me act so weird and crazy. I loved that about her. I hope I can fix things between us. She seemed so broken when she ran away from me. I just hope she will be able to forgive me...again. I got a sudden burst of extra energy as soon as I saw her hous.

Running up the steps, I pounded on the door and rang the doorbell. Quinton flew open the door. Seeing it was me, he was about to shut it in my face.

“Wait, please!” I shouted. He opened the door a little more. “Quinton… I need to talk to your sister.” I said.

“And what? Make her cry some more. She doesn't want to see you.”

“Please. I made a mistake, Quinton. I love your sister and she needs to know that,” I was breathing heavily. Not only from nerves but from the fact that I had just sprinted for about five minutes straight. “Please,” I begged.

“You get two minutes and if you make her cry, I’m punching you in the face.” Moving to the side, he let me in.

“Thank you,” I said, charging up the stairs. Running to her room, I knocked on the door. “Adena, it’s Dylan. Please let me in. I need to talk to you,” There was no response, but I knew she was in there. I knocked again. “Adena! Please,” I said. When there was yet again, no response, I decided to go in. “I’m coming in,” I announced throwing open the door.

I froze when I saw what lay before me. My heart stopped and I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t even find words to express.  

Adena lay on the ground in a pool of blood, her wrists slit open.

“Adena?” I found myself questioning. I questioned if this was just a dream or if this was a reality.

When I didn’t get a response and she didn’t move, I realized it wasn’t a dream, but reality.

I charged towards Adena, crashing to my knees in her blood. Covering her wrists, trying to stop the bleeding, I began to start sobbing.

"Adena!" I screeched, my voice cracking. "Quinton!" I started to call. Gasping, trying to get some oxygen into my system, I called him again: "Quinton!” Looking down, I realized the amount of blood that lay before me.

My knees were practically covered in it, and that only made my sobbing worse.

“Adena! Come on! Wake up!" I looked all around, tears blurring my vision. Looking at her bed, I grabbed her bed sheet and held that to her wrists. "Quinton!" I yelled, my voice evident that something was wrong. "Quinton! " I yelled again. I was so scared. "Oh Adena! Please!" I heard feet pounding up the stairs and I knew Quinton was coming. I looked at Adena's still face.

“I am not breaking up your fight,” Quinton started, turning into the room. When he saw Adena, he gasped. "Adena! Oh my god!" Quinton ran to Adena but I held her closer in my arms.

“Quick! Call the police!! We need an ambulance!” I yelled towards Quinton, searching Adena’s neck for a pulse. Quinton ignored me and tried to get closer to Adena.

I could see he was trying to control his emotions and help Adena, but he was only making matters worse. I wouldn’t have any of it.

“Dang it Quinton! Call the police! Adena is alive! You need to call the police before she dies!” I snapped, anger and pain steaming through me. I knew it was harsh, but I couldn't think about Quinton’s feelings. All I could think about was getting Adena help and saving her.

It must have finally registered in Quinton’s brain that I wouldn’t let him near her for he rushed out of the room to call an ambulance. I glanced at our reflection in the mirror on the back of her door. Looking down and to my hands, I saw I was covered in her blood.

My hands started to shake and I began to freak out. But I needed to focus on Adena.

Looking to my right, I saw something lying there. Using my foot to move it towards me, I realized it was the picture of Adena and I.

It was ripped in half, lying in pieces, like my heart. Like me, it was also drenched in her blood. Tears streaming from my face, I kissed her forehead.

“Wake up, please,” I begged, my voice cracking and my heart shattering. “I love you,” I screamed, shaking her. “I love you, please! Wake up,” Adena’s eyes fluttered slightly as she coarsely whispered:

“What?”

“Adena! Adena, hold on. You keep fighting.”

“What did you say?” She questioned, even quieter than the first time.

“I love you.” Even saying the words made the tears fall harder. “I love you, I love you, I love you!” Pressing my lips onto hers, I found myself desperate for her. “I know I was a stupid jerk before but Adena, I can’t lose you. Please forgive me.” I couldn’t stop. “Adena...I love you so much.”

I wanted to hold her close and never let her go.