Tragedy of Life & Death, Page 2

inspired by words he had said in the summertime, but like usual, I erased them. I stopped writing for the longest time, because spending time with Jacob became more important. By the time our one year anniversary came around, things were going back downhill again; he started skipping school for weeks at a time. I was sickened at what could’ve happened to him, and I tried my best not to think about it. On our anniversary, he showed up to school, bruised and cut. He was at my locker waiting for me with flowers and a smile on his face. “Tonight is gonna be the best night of your life, I promise.” He had said to me, I truly believed it. He brought me so much happiness, but so much sadness because of his parents. The night rolled around, and he had told me to meet him at our tree. I waited, and waited, and waited. I checked my phone every hour, it was 6 A.M. and I still hadn’t slept. I decided to go home, knowing he wasn’t going to show up. I showered, and made myself something to eat. I sat at the table, staring at it. I could feel a tear burn a hot path into my cheek, and before I knew it more tears had joined it. I was sitting at the table crying, when my step mother stumbled down the stairs half awake. She looked at me with such a sorrowful expression; I had a dreadful feeling about the look she gave me. She didn’t say anything to me, but looked at me every so often, shaking her head. I checked the clock, and found an excuse to leave.

  I walked into the school’s main doors, greeted by looks of sorrow from everyone. I started to get an even more awful feeling in my stomach. It wasn’t until I had second period with Hayley that someone had mentioned something to me. “I’m sorry for your loss.” The kid who sat in front of me mumbled back to me. I stared at him with a puzzled look on my face, and turned to Hayley, wondering if she knew what he was talking about. She shrugged, and went back to work. Lunch time rolled around, and I sat at my usual spot outside. It was a chilly October day, but I still sat outside to eat with Hayley and her brother. We gossiped about the girl Hayley had Honour’s English with, and giggled about what Hayley’s brother had done in his tenth grade science class.

  A kid I’d never seen much of, but knew Jacob was friends with came up to me, and tapped my shoulder lightly. “I’m so sorry, Liz. I didn’t even know about it till now!” He said to me, I looked at him just as puzzled as I did to the kid I had second period with. “Oh, I guess you don’t wanna think about it, it’s understandable. Sorry, I better go.” He stumbled off. I looked at Hayley confused, and she looked back just as confused. I pulled out my phone to see a forward from a girl in my History class that said, “R.I.P Jacob Smith. Such a sad thing! Forward this text if you’re gonna miss him.” I looked at my phone for the longest time before I finally comprehended what it said. I passed my phone to Hayley as she read it out loud. She looked up at me, and came over to sit by me, wrapping her long arms around me as I sobbed. Everything finally made sense now, why he didn’t show up, why that kid in my second period class had apologized for my loss, and why Jacob’s best friend apologized too. I knew how he died, and I felt more tears stream down my face.

  I went through the rest of the day with a clouded mind, not acknowledging most people who talked to me. I got home and fell down onto the couch, curling up in a ball. I hugged my knees tight as I listened to the news on TV in the kitchen where my step mom was making supper. The reporter had said, “And up next is the Jacob Smith story. We’ll be back after these advertisements.” My step mom asked if I wanted her to turn it off, but I didn’t want her too. I wanted to hear what they thought was the reason he was dead, or how they found out even. The news cast sound made its little sound and the reporters voice came back, “We’re back with the Jacob Smith story. The 16 year old boy was found in his house dead, while his two very intoxicated parents were passed out on the couch one with a knife, and the other with very bloody clothes. Jacob had been dead for over 14 hours when they found him, reporters say he was found with a note, and some other various things for his girlfriend. They believe he was heading out to meet her just as his parents attacked him in their intoxicated state. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his girlfriend, and those of them who knew him. His funeral will be held sometime next week.” There was a knock at the door as my step mom shut off the TV. She ran to it, and opened it, saying hello in a surprised tone. I heard two brisker voices speak, and ask to see me. They walked into the living room and sat down on the two chairs, asking me various questions. I refused to respond, and looked at them with a puffy face. “I just want the note and the things he had to give to me, please. I’ll answer the questions at a later date.” I said in a monotone voice. They handed them over to me, and said they’d be back to talk to me later. I walked to my room in a very depressed state, and sat on my bed reading what the note had to say.

  “Dear Liz,

  I promised tonight would be the best night of your life. I have so much planned, but you have to come find me first.  There’s a map attached to this paper as to where all the things are so you’re ready for our night. I love you so much, and I know you’ll love what I have planned. I can’t wait to see you.

  I love you,

  Jacob.”

  The tears streamed down my cheeks again, as my vision became blurred. There were plans with the chocolates, flowers, and the first teddy bear he ever got me which he must’ve got out of my room, along with some small other things Jacob had for me. I read the plans and began smiling at his goofiness.

  Our night was basically like the first date we ever had, only a little bit more advanced. A piece of paper fell as I picked up the rest of things; I picked it up and read it slowly:

  “If for some reason, something happens to me tonight, thank you for giving me the best year of my life ever, baby. You got me through my summer and my parents; you made my sophomore year such a great experience, and I couldn’t ever imagine myself without you. So thank you for making my life worth it. I love you, and I know we’ll see each other again soon. –Jacob.”

  I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the next few unpleasant weeks. The funeral came and past, and slowly, but surely I began writing again, it was the only thing that kept my mind off Jacob. Before I knew it, I was in my senior year of high school and Hayley was making it all worth it in the end. I didn’t date anyone again after Jacob, I knew I would in the future, but for now, it just didn’t feel right. It brought me to where I am now; trying to write the story I called “Runaway.” The first lines being the words Jacob had told me one night while he was holding me by our tree. It still brought me to tears thinking about Jacob and what we had, thinking about the horrific summer we spent together, but writing about it made it better. I’m now in University going for my English degree, I am going to become a writer; it was the only thing I didn’t horribly fail at. I have new friends, and a new life to live, but I’d still go back to my sophomore year in high school just to be with Jacob again.