Chapter 9

A hand covered my eyes and I grin "really Kace?" I ask turning to him,he smiles "yes,good morning" "morning, how are you?" "I'm great,had a nose bleed a few minutes ago" "are you okay?" "I guess,how's your mom?" "about that, can I talk to you, not here" "yeah", he takes my hand and we walked to an empty classroom, I was confused because it sounded serious.

"Hayles,mom died last night", I stared at him "w-what?" "I went home after meeting up with Josh and she was laying on her bed,no pulse, I tried everything I could but when the paramedics got there,they said she died a few minutes before I got there", he wiped the tears from my eyes with his thumbs,"she had this,with your name on it", he gave me an envelope, I couldn't even keep the tears in,she's gone,yeah she's not my mom but she was like one to me, "please don't cry Hayles,you know you can't control it" he whispers kissing my forehead, "I just can't believe she's gone" "me neither, but at least she died with a smile on her face,Hayley she died happy because of you, be happy for her,be happy for me" "okay", we stayed there for a while, just holding each other "so what happens now?,we go back to being strangers?" I ask "no,are you crazy Hayley?"

"A little,why?" "more like, a lot, I can't just give up on you because my mom left", I hugged him again, I made an honest friend out of this one.

"You jerk,give that back" I say to Kace,he took my cupcake "come get it" he stuck his tongue out at me and I roll my eyes walking to him, "if you give it back,I'll make out with you" I say,he leans in "I know that trick too well Hayley" he whispers then bit my cupcake, "oh no" Drake says,I look at Kace "you just made the worst mistake,you better start running", he gets the hint and does walk away,Drake walked with me.

"I can't believe you'll be gone in a few months" he says softly "stop thinking about it Drake, I don't want you to" I say taking his hand "but I can wake up tomorrow and you're gone Hayles" "look at me,Drake,I'm here now okay, and I don't want to think about what's gonna happen in a few hours or a few months,that's a day to itself okay" "okay,but I call dibs on the sweet piano you haven't played in a while" "no way,you're not getting my piano" 'ugh,Kace was right,you are mean",I jumped on his back "for that,piggy back ride" "finally, some fun".

I woke up feeling my nose running,I looked down at my bloody pillow then got up,something crept up my throat,no please no,I coughed, blood running from my mouth and nose, my heart slowed down and I walked to the door,I felt so weak. "Mom?" I call opening the door, they both got up turning the light on,I fell in my dad's arms "don't close your eyes Hayley" "I'm sorry".

My dearest Hayley,

I'm so happy Kace met you,whatever made him fall for you worked, I've never seen him so happy,whenever he hears your name leave my or his friends' lips, his eyes light up,I don't know what you're doing to him but I hope you never stop.

I might not be there to watch your love bloom to perfection, not that it isn't already but you get it. He's been heartbroken before but when he's with you,his world seems to be a lot different, he laughs a lot and he never used to,he even started eating healthy again. I hope you'll never give up on him,I've never seen him like that,even that night at the dinner.

We had a feeling something was going on over there, but you both made it look otherwise, and the way he gazed at you when you talked to us,he was lovestruck Hayley.

Growing up without a father was hard for him but he never showed it,I tried everything, gave him everything and anything, please don't break him or make him think you don't love him,he needs someone for when I'm gone and I don't know how he'll survive but he's sane when he's with you.

Hayley, do this one thing for me,don't leave him,he looks like a rock but he's got a nice heart,well you probably knew that already. Do send him my dearest love and take care of him for him for me.

Yours truly

Klara

My body was frozen still,my eyes couldn't open,I could feel nothing,everything was silent,except the faint sobs from my mom and my dad trying to console her,I wish I could wipe her tears but I couldn't.

A hand held mine, I knew that touch too well,Kace kissed my forehead, his lips staying there for a while,I felt a tear burn my skin,I can't leave him like this,but my body wouldn't cope with my mind,"seems like yesterday you asked if I was insane to ask you to be my fake girlfriend, I never thought the day would come where someone made my mom die with a smile on her face,someone to make her laugh and forget that she was dying. I thought my life would end without her,then you came along and pierced your way through my heart,you gave me hope Hayles,you made me forget things I kept thinking about, things I thought ruined me,but without you here, I'm ruined, don't leave me like this Hayles,you said you'll be here, just for me,please don't go,I love you ",he pressed his lips on mine and I felt my heart beat like it usually did for him.

I kissed him back, squeezing his hand, he was a little surprised but smiles "I thought I lost you" Kace whispers "I'm not going anywhere Kace", he kissed me again, only more passionate this time,did he really say he loved me or was I out too much to hear what he said,hmm.

Mom and dad came in and looked at both of us "what did you do?" Mom asks Kace and he shrugs smiling "just told her not to let go", he kissed my hand that was in his "guess she didn't" "I didn't".