Breathe-Chapter 10
By: Panda Angel
~*Flashback*~
“Baby please come with us! It would mean so much to me,” AJ pleaded with his girlfriend of nearly two years.
“AJ, I can’t. I want to, but no, I can’t just miss classes and still expect to get my doctor’s degree.”
“So, that’s more important to you than me?” his voice sounded cold on the outside, but was really full on pain.
“AJ, that’s not fair. You know I love you and I would go with you if I could, but I can’t.”
“Then…” AJ paused and took a deep breath. “I can’t be with you anymore.”
“What?!” Jillian exclaimed, astonished and shocked by his ultimate decision.
“Long distance relationships never work and we’ll be in Europe for six months. I’m sorry Jillian, but if college is your decision, then you know mine.” AJ gave her an ultimatum.
“Fine. Have a nice time in Europe. Goodbye AJ.” With that Jillian ran up to her bedroom and cried herself to sleep…something she often did after that.
~*End Flashback*~
“AJ, I’m not sorry,” Jillian declared.
AJ looked at her with surprise evident in his big brown eyes. “Huh?”
“For our breakup…I’m sorry it happened because-“ she abrubtly stopped herself before she said ‘I still love you.’ “I am sorry that we broke up…you were someone very special to me, but I’m not sorry about choosing to stay in college. My parents would be very proud…if they could see me now,” Jillian smiled, as tears formed in her eyes.
“Hey, Jillie, it’s okay…” AJ moved his hand over to cover hers. “I’m here for you baby girl. Just like I always promised I would be.”
“Yeah but AJ, you weren’t here for me. You were in Europe…touring with the Backstreet Boys or in Cali shooting a video or in Canada doing a press conference or in Vegas at an awards show…you weren’t here!” Jillian’s voice rose as tears easily glided down her tender cheeks.
AJ’s face became solemn for a moment as he contemplated what to say. “Jillie, no matter where I was, I was always with you, here, in your heart. I never left you and I never will, baby girl. Now, shh…stop crying,” he lifted his arm slowly to wipe away her tears.
“I’m sorry…I shouldn’t be doing thing. You should be resting, not wiping away my tears. What kind of a doctor am I?!” Jillian joked half-heartedly.
“A very beautiful one,” AJ smiled.
Jillian returned his smile and gently ran her fingers through his jet black hair before tucking him in and leaving the room.
As Jillian closed the door behind her, she bumped into AJ’s mother. “Oh! Sorry!” She had just witnessed the whole scene between her son and his ex.
“It’s okay sweetheart. I’m glad you’re here. AJ really needs you…whether he’ll admit it or not.” She had been trying endlessly to get the couple back together, but all of her attempts had failed.
“Thanks Denise,” Jillian reached over and threw her arms lovingly around her neck.
“What for honey?”
“For everything…you’ve always been like a second mother to me. You were here for me when she couldn’t be. So, thanks.” Jillian reached down and fiddled with the locket around her neck, that had her parent’s picture in there.
“You’re most welcome sweetheart. Well I’m going to go watch over AJ. Bye hon!”
Jillian’s mother had died during childbirth, so she had never even been given the opportunity to meet her. What little she knew about her mom, she learned from her dad before he was killed in a car accident several years ago. Jillian had decided to become an Obstetrician after learning how her mother died. Now, AJ’s accident seemed like a repeat of her father’s accident, only he was killed instantly from impact.
As Jillian made her way to her car, her beeper went off. It was Michael.
Email: panda_angelaj@hotmail.com
