(Okay so Maisie and Davian’s first kiss goes after this one. Sorry for the confusion I’ve just been getting better ideas so it doesn’t feel so rushed. Thanks again for all the reads. Even if you don’t like them it still means everything to me when I see that it’s been read!)

Our love for each other only grew from that moment. It flourished and created something just as perfect as the movies. It was in the hospital that day that I found something to live for. Except I still hadn’t broken the news to her. To Maisie. She doesn’t know, and there’s something inside me. Something telling me she doesn’t need to know.

Something I’ll listen to. That voice, the voice that always makes my choices, right and wrong. That voice that, in Maisie, had told her to end it all. It’s a crazy thing, that voice can sound like a million different people but no matter who the people are they all say the same thing. And in Maisie’s case they all told her it was over.

But in my case . . . Well in my case I’m not exactly sure what they’re telling me. Or maybe I just don’t want to beileve.

I let out a long breath as I stare at the filled page in my notebook. These words that come out of me . . . These feelings they’re strong. So strong that the only way I deal with them is writing them down.

First it was in the form of poems, but now . . . Now’s it’s something different. Either way they’re both gifts that Maisie gave me.

I peer over my notebook at her. She’s been asleep all night, with Trish glued to her side. It used to be me, for the first few hours. But then Trish came in, and I thought it’d be best to let her spend time with Maisie. Even though she’s been asleep and hasn’t changed.

I’ve gone home once, Tommy drove me in his new truck that he bought from his buddy. So I guess new is kind of a stretch, it’s old. Rusty brown, with holes in the bench seat that Tommy says is the only reason these trucks still sell. The comfort of having a whole bench for nights spent on the side of the road.

I peaked into the bathroom at home, but a shower didn’t sound good. So I grabbed my notebook off my desk along with a hoodie that I’ve been wearing with my leather jacket.

And I’ve been writing the past few hours . . . Or maybe days. I’m still not really sure. It’s dark in here with the curtains drawn, so I can’t tell what time of day it is.

There’s something peaceful about watching Maisie as she sleeps. I mean of course I can’t let my eyes close because there’s still a chance she won’t make it. But this rest, this sleep she needs it. And I can tell.

I wonder what she’s dreaming about. I smile at the thought of us flashing through her mind. It’s all I can think about, maybe she’s dreaming about me and her. Us.

I bring my eyes back down to my notebook. I’ve filled half of it all about Maisie. Our story.

I never knew I had so many words in me, so many descriptions of Maisie’s beautiful face, of her troubled past. And of mine.

. . .

One year ago . . .

“Davian!” Tommy pulls my arm forcing me to face him and the setting sun behind him.

“What?” I shout, yanking my arm away. “What do you want Tommy?”

Tommy’s lips flatten into a thin line as he looks me over. His blonde hair blowing in his eyes as they begin to lace with tears.

“I want my little brother back,” Tommy chokes out as a loud crack of thunder echos around us. The wind picks up but we don’t move. Goose bumps rise on my arms as I stare at Tommy.

“He’s gone,” I mutter. And it’s true. I don’t know how or why but sweet, kind, perfect little Davian is gone. Dad’s tried talking to me, even Mom couldn’t get me to open up.

I guess it’s Tommy’s turn to play therapist. Maybe it’ll be a good laugh. Something to think about besides . . . Everything.

“I don’t beileve that,” Tommy reach’s out for my shoulder but I pull away, folding my arms across my chest.

Tears gather in my eyes begging to explode. I haven’t cried in months, I’ve been holding it all in. My feelings, my thoughts. Everything.

You’re nothing Chase. Jace’s loud, controlling voice echos through my mind. You’re nothing . . . And I don’t see you . . . You can’t see nothing. So I don’t see you . . . Not anymore.

Even my bully didn’t want me anymore. I was trash to him and I was okay with that. But invisable to him . . . That’s the thing I can’t handle.

“What’s happened?” Tommy raises his voice above the loud rustling of the trees and wind. “What made you change?”

After Jace claimed I was nothing, I decided to actually be nothing. I skipped classes, hung out in the darkest parts of town. Normally that meant a tree with dark shade and a book.

I never read the book, I just covered my eyes with it, shielding my tears from eyes that might glance my way. I shouldn’t have worried, not even my family noticed my change. No one did.

“Just tell me Davian!” Tommy yells, his tears now streaming down his face as the wind whips at his hair.

I want to. And it’s killing me.

“I’m nothing!” I blurt out before I can second guess myself. “And not just nothing . . . I mean like _nothing nothing_.”

Tommy’s eyes soften as I scream at him. I start sobbing like a baby. My chin falls down to my chest as I hug myself. I thought it would feel better, but it doesn’t. I just feel tired . . . Even more than usual.

“Davian,” Tommy whispers as his warm arms bring my head to his chest. He puts pressure on my head, the kind of pressure that makes me cry even more.

. . .

I hadn’t even realized it but Tommy was the one to pull me together that night. He held me. But it was just for that one night.

My eyes fly to Maisie, her chest still rising and falling just like the waves in the deep blue ocean.

Maisie’s pulled me together, but not just for one moment. She’s pulled me together for every moment. And just like that my heart opens, like a flower in the sun. My heart aches for the light that Maisie holds within her. The light I know I’ll see again.