"Why are you doing this?" JC begged, needing to know her answer. "Why?
"JC, don't do this," Kim closed her eyes tight, arms folded across her chest, refusing to look at him.
He dropped to his knees in front of her, sobbing. He didn't know why she was doing this, all he knew was that he couldn't let it happen. He wrapped his long arms around her, his head rested against her stomach. "Please Kim. I'm begging you."
She ran her fingers through his dark hair, trying to imprint its feel in her mind, knowing that this was the last time she'd ever be able to feel it between her fingers, the last time she'd ever feel his warmth against her skin. She could hear him sniffle as he cried against her. It killed her to see him this state, but she knew she had to do this. "JC, please. It's all for the best."
"All for the best?" he looked up at her. "Breaking my heart like this is all for the best?" He couldn't believe that this was all actually happening. Didn't she know how much he loved her?
She took a few steps back, away from his touch. She wiped the tears from her reddened cheeks. Without a word, she grabbed her purse off of the table, and walked towards the door. Opening it, she hesitated, turning around to look at him one final time. As her eyes fell upon him, she felt like her heart literally shattered into a thousand pieces that could never be put back together. He still remained on his knees, tears flowing so heavily, he didn't even bother to wipe them away. "Why?" he whispered one last time.
"Goodbye Josh," she whispered before closing the door behind her.
He sank backwards onto the floor with this click of the doorknob. His face fell into his hands, tears burning his skin.
*
"Justin, why do I have to go to the party/benefit thing with you?" Kim whined.
Justin fixed his suit jacket in the mirror as he spoke. "Because there's going to be tons of photographers and reporters outside there and if I show up with a real date, there will be too many rumors started. See, if bring my sister on the other hand, there's no questions, no rumors."
"You're lucky I'm a good sister, you know that?"
"Oh yeah," sarcasm filled his voice. "I'm oh-so-lucky." She smacked him on the back of his head. "HEY! Watch the hair!"
*
"I can tell you're having tons of fun," Justin said.
Kim rolled her eyes. "Oh yes. I'm overjoyed to be here, what can I say?"
He looked at his sister. Even though they were a couple of years apart, they had always been very close. They acted more like best friends than brother and sister.
"You wanna talk about it?"
"About what?"
"About what's on your mind."
"Nothing's on my mind."
"Kim, don't try lying to me. I know you too well." Her eyes met his and he knew he was right about what was on her mind. "Come on," he stood up," We'll go out in the hall and talk."
"Ok, talk." Kim paced the hallway. When she didn't answer, he persisted. "Why did you break up with him?" he asked bluntly.
Kim, surprised, stopped in front of him. "What?" He gave her that 'you heard me' look. "I was afraid," she admitted, not only to him, but to herself. " I was so afraid that he would he break my heart like all the rest of them." She wiped away a few stray tears that fell from her eyes.
"Hey. Come here." Justin pulled her into a tight hug. "He's a good guy. He's not like the rest of them," he told her. "would I let my sister date him if he was?" He smiled down at her. "Love is all about taking chances Kim. All you can do is close your eyes, jump in feet first, and hope that everything works out for the best."
She gave him a soft smile. "You're wise beyond your years, lil' bro."
"Well, I gotta take care of my big sis' right?" Justin looked over her shoulder at the approaching JC. "Talk to him," he whispered in her ear before walking away.
JC cleared his throat, making his presence known to her. When she turned to face him, she felt as if her body decided to just quit working. Her heart stopped, she could barely breathe and her knees felt as if they were going to give out on her. He gave her a weak smile, but she could see the hurt remaining in his eyes. "Hey," he said softly.
"Hey." An uneasy silence lied between them. He took a few steps toward her. "I think we need to talk, " she told him. He nodded. "JC, I---"" I heard what you told Justin, about why you broke up with me."
Her eyes shot to him, feeling a little embarrassed that he overheard her confession. She shifted her eyes back to the floor. "You did?"
"God, Kim. Why would you Th ink that I would ever hurt you?" I though you knew how much I loved you? I though you knew you were my world?" She didn't answer, not sure what to say.
Someone opened the double doors that led back inside, music drifted out. "Dance with me."
"What?" she asked surprised.
"Dance with me." He grabbed her hands and placed them around his neck, his moved to the small of her back, pulling her close to his body. She didn't attempt to resist his actions as they began to sway to the melodies. JC sung in a whispered voice the lyric to the song.
**Sometimes I look at you
And my heart hurts
I guess when love's this strong
That's how it can be
When my time should come
To leave this world
I hope the Good Lord
Takes me in my sleep
To have to say goodbye to you
Would be impossible for me
If you should wonder
How long I'll stand beside you
You know, only 'till the stars forget to shine
Every step I'll take
Will be one we take together
Girl forever
Till we've walked that last mile.
Before I met you girl
How could I have known
That I'd ever want to give so much
So endlessly
And when sliver's in our hair
And the years turn to gold
Just turn to me
And you will see
Someone who'll give every beat of their heart
Who still loves you faithfully
If you should ever wonder
How long I'' stand beside
If you should wonder
How long I'll stand beside you
You know, only 'till the stars forget to shine
Every step I'll take
Will be one we take together
Girl forever
Till we've walked that last mile.
Every step I'll take
Will be one we take together
Girl forever
Till we've walked that last mile.
Till we've walked that last mile.**
As the harmonious sounds played out, he lifted her face to meet his. "I love you Kim."
"I love you too Josh, so much."
His lips met hers in a kiss filled with nervousness, lustfulness, anxiety, and most of all love.
"Promise me you'll never leave me again. Please. I'll die without you."
"I promise, baby. Never again will I doubt your love or your intentions. I love you."
"Mmm…" he kissed her again. "I love you."
.
.
.
Lyrics==**That Last Mile *** --- Jeff Carson
