chapter one ~ terrible things

Melanie ran upstairs the old house and got to the first bedroom knowing that she would find her favorite uncle right there in the orange couch. As soon as she got there she opened the door and found him there lying, asleep. She sighed and walked slowly towards him, he looked so paceful while he was sleeping it should be ilegal waking him up, but Melanie wasn't one to stare and even less if it was her uncle. After ten minutes of failed intents of waking him up she started to throw pillows in his direction until one hit his face. He woke up abruptly with a groan.

-"Do you actually need something, or just thought it would be fun throwing pillows at my face?" He said whiel he stoop up to grap the pillows that had fallen

"Kinda both" she said and stuck up her pink tongue to him "Just though it was my duty to wake you up"

Alex took one of the pillows and threw it right at her face, what made her blink in shook making Alex laugh loudly.

"Haha, real funny" Melanie said rolling her eyes. Then she centred her attention on a small portrait placed in the top of the library, it seemed that he was trying to hide it, but not wanting to forget about it. Melanie walked towards it while Alex was still trying to clean up the mess, she took the brown portrait with her hands, in it was a picture where was a young Alex with a small girl.

"Who is it?" she asked turning to him. He opened his eyes wide as soon as he saw what she was talking about. He instantly droped his look, as if the floor was suddenly terribly exciting.

she left the portrait again in the library and went to Alex , who was now on the floor with his hands covering his face.

'Her names was Taylor" he whispered. Melanie didn't know what to say, she hadn't ever seen him so broken, sure he never looked exactly happy but she alwasy thought he had a reason, and maybe this was it.

He sighed loudly next to her putting his hands down, what allowed Melanie to look at his lifeless eyes "I'm going to tell you a story, just so you know that sometimes, life can do terrible things"

He still could remember everything perfectly, lived images started to cross his mind as he began to tell his story.

The first time he saw her, he was only seventeen years old. Alex hadn't ever seen such a beautiful creature in his life, she was small, with big brown eyes and matching brown hair, she had small pink lips that opened widely, showing a line of white teeth, in a small smile, in other words the little girl with her black waitress apron was perfect.

He didn't realize how long he had been starting at her as she worked efficiently, losing himself in his daydreams until a soft voice woke him up

"Can I tell you a wonderfull thing?" said the voice mkaing Alex lift his head to find those big brown eyes that he had been staring at for the past hour "I can't help but notice, you've been staring at me" she laughed nervously. He just stayed still not knowing how to react. It was just as if he had comepletely forgot how to talk...or breathe.

"I'm Taylor" she said finally extending one of her small arms to him.

He shaed her hand slowly "Alex" he said praying that she wouldn't notice the nervousness in his voice.

She smiled widely and gave Alex a note in lime green paper. "Call me if someday you want to go out, or just talk" she said and winked at him before turning around to keep up with her work.

Alex took the green paper with his thumb and middle finger, staring at the seven numbers in it, wondering if he'd ever have enough courage as for calling the girl with the brown eyes. Probably not.

---

Four months had passed since that day at the coffee shop and Alex, as valiant as he is, didn't call her, he thought that maybe she wouldn't even remember him. I mean they have only talked once for like five minutes. Why would she remember him? That's what Alex tried to tell himself excusing his lack of courage. He still thought of those brown eyes, and those small pink lips, infact he hadn't stop thinking about her ever since he saw her there. But he wasn't going to do anything about it. Sometimes he just passed near the Coffeee so he could see her work, cursing himself for beign so damn coward.

Alex was at the cinema line waiting to buy his tickets with Cassadee.

"We're going to watch The Uninvited. I made up my mind" Cassadee announced

"Whatever you want" He knew it was useless trying to fight it, she was way too stubborn like for changing a decision once she had made up her mind. "I'm going to go get us somethign to eat while you wait her" He said walking towards the candy shop. She grabed him by the back of his shirt

"What?!" she yelled "You can't just leave me here alione"

"Chill Cassadee, I'll be back, besides do you really want to wait more having to go for the food later?"

"Fine" she rolled her eyes and let im go with a sigh

Alex was getting to the shop when he shoked with somone. "Sorry" He apologized fastly.

"No, no, it was my fault, I wasn't really looking. I'm sorry" said the femenine voice. Alex froze. That voice, he was 100% sure to know who it belonged to, he had been thinking about it the past four months anyway.

They looked at each other, recognition in their faces. Taylor was stand there with a red beanie covering her hair, she looked so beautiful today, she always did though. She blushed and turned her face to the side. Alex would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised that she had remember him.

"Hi" she said shyly "You didn't comeback"

'Yeah" he said with an awkward laugh. "Sorry about that"

"It's no problem, really" she said softly, she looked just as nervous as him, what made Alex feel a little better.

"I was actually leaving now, so" she said pointiong towards the exit door with her thumb "See you around" she grinned before turning around and heading to the door.

Alex let out a sigh, he had let her go. Again.

But next time he wouldn't, he finally decided.

- - -
You know, avoiding her forever won't bring you any good" Said Cassadee as she played with her phone.

Cassadee had heard Alex talk about this Taylor girl for the last three hours. Apparently she's the most perfect human being, with bright brown eyes as shinning stars and has the most beautiful smile that could light up the world. Cheesy.

"But I can actually avoid the painful part where she rejects me" He said trying to bring an excuse for not going right now to the coffee shop

"You know, you're just being stupid. And if you don't go, I'll grab you by the hair and take your pretty-boy ass there" said Cassadee as she dropped her phone and looked straight to Alex's eyes

"Wow, chill out Cass. No need to use violence"

"Maybe I will have to if you keep complaining. Just grow some balls and go talk to her. Besides, is not like she'll reject you, no one could"

"Oh, is that a compliment Pope?" Alex said with a playful smirk as he watched Cassadee blush a little.

"Shut up Gaskarth" she said and threw her phone to him, hitting straight at his nose. She burst out laughing almost falling from her chair. Now both teenagers were laughing uncontrollably

"Now seriously Alex, you have to go and talk to this girl" said Cassadee trying to catch her breath

"Yeah, guess you're right"

"Of course I am. I'm always right"

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Two hours later Cassadee had managed to bring Alex at the door of the Coffee shop, standing there staring at the waiter through the window.

"You know it would be creepy as hell if she just turned around and saw you standing here, you know?"

"I'm aware" Alex kept staring for a couple of minutes before he finally sighed. He was here anyways, and he couldn't step back even if he wanted.

"Ready?" Cassadee asked taking his left hand

They entered the small place with their hands tangled, it smelled good, just like bread and coffee, they took seat in one of the back tables. They saw the small waitress walk towards them, as she noticed the customers who had just entered. Alex was trying not to get too excited, or at least he was trying not to show it.

The girl was getting to them when suddenly a hand took her by her arm making her almost fall down

“What the-“ she started saying as she turned to face whoever had took her “Josh!’ she said happily throwing her arms towards the male’s neck.

He was a tall good-looking guy with dark brown hair and blue eyes “Missed me Tay?” Josh said hugging her tightly; it’s been a while since they last saw each other

“Of course!” she said happily “Where have you been? Why haven’t you visited me before? Oh it doesn’t matter, the thing is that you’re here and I’m just so happy”

“Tay…are you crying?” asked the taller male pushing Taylor a little so he could see her face

“What? No…” she said as she wiped the tears that had fallen from the corner of her eyes “I’m just happy to finally see you again” she said as Josh took her hand and placed his other hand on her cheek.

Alex stayed still watching as the girl of his dreams was being wrapped by other hands.

"Are you okay?" Cassadee asked to the llight haired boy to her side, but he wasn't listenijng he wasn't paying attention to the constant questions coming from her friends lips, he was in shock looking at the beautiful angel that had took over his mind some months ago in hands of another man. He really didn't know how to react, but he couldn't help the jealousy that recorred his body he ached to be him the one wrapping his arms around the tiny girl.

He stayed still watching the couple and trying to figure out what they were talking about, sadly his lip reading wasn't very advanced and he was just as confused as he was before. Tay had just finished talking to him and was now wiping the tears from her eyes as she walked towards the table.

"Welcome to um..." she started softly looking to the floor "I'm sorry" she finally whispered and walked away

Cassadee and Alex looked at each other in confusion and then sadness and disapointment filled his eyes "Do you think he was her-"

"It's possible" interrumed Alex. He stood up and started to walk to the exit door followed by Cassadee, when they were out they saw through the window the small girl with her head lying on the desk she seemed defeated, broken and it hurt Alex to see her this way, even though if it wasn't with him he wanted her to be happy.

- - -

"Tay are you feeling allright?" asked her partner, Emily. Taylor had stayed like this since Josh had left the coffee shop and that had been one hour agao, she wasn't even crying she was just there, like a lifeless body.

"He's doing it again, Emily" Taylor whispered "I don't know if I can take him back again, you know he just keeps leaving me as if I was nothing" Her voice broke in te last part and a small tear fell from her eyes she wiped it fastly because she really didn't want to cry, she still had another two hours of work and when those two hours were over she'd walk to the park, buy pop corn and then drown her pains with ice cream and romantic movies in the comforn of her home.

"Then, don't"

"But I..."

"Love him?"

"Yeah?" Tay said as more tears started to fall from her eyes she covered her face with her small hands finaly letting the tears fall.

After two minutes of unstopabble tears and Emily failed intents of calming her friend down, Taylor wipped her tears and lifter her head to stare at the ceiling "You know what, he ain't worth my tears. I can do much better, I know I can"

Emily hugged her tightly leaving the small girl almost breathless 'Aw girl I'm so proud of you"

Tay liberated from her killing embrace and stood up "It's time for me to move on, Josh was a part of my life that I'll never forget, but I don't have to be in it forever"

With that said she took her purse and walked through the exit door not even bothering in asking Emily to fill in for her knowing she would do anyways.

- - -

Tay walked around the empty streets without a specific way as she watched the pople that walked beside her, a mother with her newborn baby, a smal girl chasing a purple butterfly, a lost puppy, a n old couple, she walked arounf the park until it was late and she could barely see, she knew she should go home but she knew that as soon as she was there where no one would see her she would break into tears and Taylor didn't want to cry over him, at least not right now. She entered a small restaurant and sat on the back seats, the place was almost empty at the time, it was small and comfortable, it felt warm.

The young girl ordered a coffee and waited till the redhead waitress reappeared with her cup.

"Do you want complany" she lifter her head and found a pair of brown eyes looking at her, she recognized the boy from somewhere but she couldn't quite place where. He had light brown hair and a beautiful smile. She smiled shyly and nodded inviting the young male to sit in front of her.

"I'm Alex" he said softly. And that's when she remembered, four months ago I cute guy had entered the cooffee shop, with his messy hair and his unforgettable smile, she had gave him her number but he never called or came back to the place.

"Alex!" Taylor said a big smile crossing her face "I remember you"

Alex seemed shocked for the fact that she remembered him, he blushed sightly and looked down to his lap "I'm sorry I didn't call you"

"Is fine" She said keeping her smile and wondering why the cute boy in front of her seemed so nervous.

"Would you like to, hum..." he started still looking at his lap "um, would you like to go out with me some day?" he lifter his eyes to look at the small girl

"I would love that!"

- - -

"So this is real. You're going out with your especial girl" Cassadee said a wide grin in her face as she watched Alex fix his hair in fron of the mirror

"Yeah, I'm still hoping I'm not dreaming" He admitted with a nervous smile

"Aw, look how cheesy you are! She so is going to fall for you, just look at the face" she said standing up and taking his face with her right hand "How could anyone say no to this face"

"Cassadee! Stop!"

"I'm sorry" she said still holding Alex's face with her hand "You just look cute when you're nervous"

"I hope that's a good thing... Can you please let me go now, Cass?"

"Sorry, again" she finall left him and helped him to get ready for his date

- - -

"6:30, fuck" Taylor cursed as she looked at the clock placed on the top of her library. She only had half hour to get ready to her date and she still had to straight her hair and decided what whould she wear. She runned quickly to the mirror and started to straight her hair, or at least try to make it look decent, it was one of those days when literally anything was going the way she wanted, starting with how she was rudely waken u by a call from the laundry telling her that the outfit she was planning in use today wasn't going to be ready for use tonight.

She finished with her hair and proceded to decide her outfit, she didn't have much options really since Alex hadn't really told her where they were going, he just told her to keep it casual so she decided to put on her skinny black jeans, red converse, a white t shirt and a grey Man Overboard hoodie, that read 'Defend Pop Punk'.

when she was satisfied with the way she looked she basically ran through the door, she was late already, ir was currently 7:20 and she was supossed to be there 10 minutes ago. She really was getting late to her first date with Alex. They had agreed to meet at the cooffee shop and from there they would go to this secret place Alex had planned.

Tay arrived 10 minutes later and found the boy sat on the sidewalk alone. He had a red beanie on his head what made him look even more cute than usual "Sorry" she apologized as soon as she reached the boy. He just looked at her and smirked standing uo and greeting her with a hug

"is fine, I thought you wouldn't show up" He admitted shyly

"I was just late...anyways, where are we going?" she said clapping her hands.

"That's a surprise" he winked at her and took her hand leading her to a white car that was parked on the other side of the road.

"Cover your eyes" He said as soon as she entered the car and closed the door

"What, why?"

"Because, as I said, it's a surprise" Alex said handing her a black bandana

"Fine" Tay sighed and covered her eyes with the black bandana.

- - -

The trip was short, what helped Tay to cross some things from her list of posible places they were going.

"You can look now" Alex whispered in her ear sending a shiver down to her spine, she removed the bandana from her eyes quickly and got out from the car.

What she had in front of her wasn't what she exected. they were at what seemed to be a forest outside town, but that didn't explain how they had gotten here so fast, probably by some short way but that really didn't matter right now. It was beautiful with all kind of green plants and threes, she felt nostalgic because it reminded her one of the places she used to go to with her dad before he passed away.

Alex took her hand and leaded her into the forest, he had a brown basket in his other hand, so that meant they were going on a picnic, this made Tay smile since she had always loved going on picnics. They walked for five minutes until they reached an opened place, where apparently someone had camped recetly. it was a beautiful place, so full of nature, with precious little flowers growing from the green grass and colorful butterflies flying around.

"Do you like it?"

"It's perfect" she whispered

they sat on the green grass in silence appreciating the beauty that was surronding them right now, if you listened closely you could hear the sound of a waterfall, and the noise of the wind, you just could hear the nature itself, trying to comunicate with you.

thirty minutes later they were laying on the grass telling funny highschool stories to each other. laughing at everything, sharing everything, being open with each other. Even though they had only officially met about 24 hours ago everything just felt right. As if it was meant to be, as if Tay and Alex were made for each other. Talking to each other was just as easy as breathing, it just came naturally.

"It's getting late" Alex whispered softly

"You're right" she agreed, but none of them made a sign that was going to move anytime soon.

That was until water drops started to fall from the sky, they felt as the rain started to fall on their faces filling them with small drops of water they looked at each other in silence not really attempting to run from the rain that was already covering them, they kept staring at each other feeling the rain as it fell on them. Alex got closer to her and placed a hand on her cheeck feeling the soft skin on his cold hand and before he could think it twice he connected his lips with hers, smiling in the kiss. And it just felt right, as if it was meant to be.

When he pulled back, Tay just laughed shyly and lay her head on his shoulder cuddling to his side. Thihat moment right there, right now

just felt perfect

- - -
Two years later Tay and Alex were literally unbreakable, it was almost imposible to see one without the company of the other one, they haven't done the whole 'moving together' thing yet but as things were going they probably would real soon. Nothing could stop them right now, victims of love, too young to notice and too dumb to care that sometimes life, can do terrible things.

It was a friday night when Alex got to Tay's home, she seemed tired, even sick; just like she looked lately, but when anyone asked her about it she just said she was stressed because of college or work, but Alex didn't mention anything about it since he didn't want to ruin her mood for the surprise he had for her.

They sat on the blue couch of the bedroom and watched a movie. Alex noticed how she barely smiled the whole night but still didn't say anything because he thought his surprise would make it better, he could only hope

"Can I tell you a wonderful thing" he said as he took a small red box from his pocket "I've got you a present" he said as he opened the small box revealing a simple but beautiful silver ring with a small shining rock in th middle of it "you know that I love you, so now I'm asking you, will you marry me?" he said getting on his knees

Right after those words came from his mouth Taylor broke into tears, she didn't say yes or no, she just started crying. That really wasn't the answer Alex was waiting for, but still he waited patiently till she was calm.

When the tears finally stopped falling from her eyes she turned to him and with sadness in his eyes she said the phrase that still haunted Alex in his dreams "Can I tell you a terrible thing? it seems that I'm sick and I've only got weeks. but please don't be sad, I really believe, you're the greatest thing that ever happened to me"

Alex started to feel tears in his eyes as he repeated the words Taylor had said that night, still after all this time he couldn't forget the look in her eyes, the sadness that was hidden behind her smile each passing day after that day until her death.

He lifted his eyes looking at his young niece who had now tears in her eyes too touched by Alex's story

"Sometimes life can do terrible things" He whispered finally letting the tears fall down his cheeck.

Notes

I'm sorry