Ike walked outside in a daze, holding the letter in his hand. He opened it and read her words once more.
Ike,
I know you're reading this now and you're wondering where I am....you must be really worried. I'm so sorry. I want you to know that I love you. Remember that. You were my first love, and you have been such a big part of my life for so long....it's getting hard to remember how I ever lived without you. I never wanted to hurt you, but I know that I have.
I know there are millions of girls that would kill to be in my shoes. Well, I guess now there's a spot open. I was lucky enough to fall in love with the most talented, amazing guy in the world, and I was even luckier when he loved me in return. Now I'm taking a step away Ike, please don't follow me.
Despite the undying love that I still feel for you, I can't live like this; I can't live with the hiding, the lying, and the hurt. It hurts when you say I'm not your girlfriend. It hurt when those girls broke into my house. I've been dealing with it for so long, and this is what it's come to.
But no matter what happens, if you ever loved me, PLEASE keep on making music. It's what you do best Ike, and it makes so many people in the world so happy; there's nothing else you can do that has more meaning. Your music is such a beautiful part of you, so promise me right now that you will continue doing what you love....you'll continue with music. Don't think that I won't miss you, because I already do. I'm gone now Ike, I've went to live somewhere else. I don't want to be found....you have to understand that. So I beg you, if you love me, please don't try to look for me, it would only make things worse. And if fate really does exist, we'll be together again.
Make music, Ike, and move on. It's okay to love someone else, I'm sure that in time, I'll move on with my life too.
Goodbye Ike.
I will love you always and forever,
Jenn
He looked at the letter. On the back was a poem she had written. Out of everything she had said to him in the letter, after he had read the poem, that was by far what had succeeded in touching and hurting him most. After he had read the poem, he had finally broken down, and he cried.
He re-folded the letter, and looked up at the sky in wonder. The stars seemed to glimmer at him. One stood out from the rest, and he reached up, as if to touch it. Slowly, he drew his hand away.
He couldn't touch the stars. He had told her so himself.
Taylor appeared next to him. He placed a hand on Ike's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Instead of answering his brother's question, he spoke, his eyes never leaving the sky. "She was my hope."
"I know Ike."
"I wish she knew."
"Don't worry," Taylor said, "she does."
I'll be your mirror
Reflect what you are, in case you don't know.
I'll be the wind, the rain, and the sunset,
The light on your door to show that you're home
When you think the night has seen your mind
That inside you're twisted and unkind
Let me stand to show that you are blind.
Please put down your hands
'Cause I see you.
I find it hard to believe you don't know the beauty that you are.
But if you don't,
Let me be your eyes
A hand to your darkness,
So you won't be afraid.
When you think the night has seen your mind
That inside you're twisted and unkind
Let me stand to show that you are blind.
Please put down your hands
'Cause I see you.
I'll be your mirror
I'll be your mirror*
After a while, Taylor left. Ike remained outside, with his face still tilted upward at the widespread blackness of the night sky. He felt a wet drop on his face. It was raining. He let the rain run down his face, mixing with the tears that fell from his eyes.
An angel has always been thought
To be one of God's most precious works
I guess that's how she had you fooled
She was an angel in disguise
An angel in disguise she was
But somehow you fell for her
Until she broke your heart that day
And left you in the rain
But still I love you
I found it quite strange
The way you said her name
And when you look in her eyes
I see the lust you can't deny
There's more to this than what you say
In your sleep you called her name
You say she's just a friend
Really, she isn't
I knew right then 'cause the rain began
And when my music stops
And when my tears drops
And when the rain ends
My heart will beat again*
Ike stood in the gentle rain, silent in thought.
He fingered the damp piece of paper. The letter. The poem. He then made a decision. He felt it in his heart; he knew it was time to let go.
He slowly uncurled his fingers from around the soiled paper. He allowed it to tumble out of his hand. He was ready to release not only the letter from his possession, but also the image of her as his own; he released it all from his mind and his heart. He wasn't going to hold on anymore.
He had allowed the letter to slip between his fingers, as he had let her do the same. You never really know what you had until it's gone. Yeah. That's true.
Ike stared for a moment at the letter, now entangled in the grass. His gaze drifted up once again, to the brightest star that seemed to shimmer at him. It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. Maybe. Love conquers all. He knew that much. ...if fate really does exist, we'll be together again...
His gaze returned to the letter in the grass. He intended to pick it up again and replace it, safe in his pocket.
No.....
The wind had carried it away. It was gone.....she was gone.....out of his grasp. He would never touch it again. He would never touch her again.
Ike looked once more at the thousands of stars that illustrated the sky.
You can't touch the stars.
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Email me at Freckles28@aol.com
All The Way To Albertane
You Are My Hope
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