Chapter 16: The Last Tear I See Fall From Your Eyes




Alanis felt so hollow inside. She would never see her best friend ever again, ever. She pressed her lips together as tears sprung to her bright blue eyes. Everything since she had found Taylor had happened so fast. Taylor had a full recovery, nothing but the scars remained and more surgery would take care of those.
She was so sad but she couldn't cry. No matter what no tears came.

Zac was feeling awful. He had never had many friends until Alanis. Now he had to go back home. Zac sat on the bench, crying. Zac thought of so many ways to stay in touch with her. But nothing was compared to the underwear parade on Hanson Day the year before, the muddy battle for a soccer ball one rainy day in June, the Gatorade pool, or the peanut-butter war. Nothing really compared to being around Alanis, talking to her, sharing thoughts, giggling about 'Bob the evil blue genie' and talking seriously about friendship and growing up together. Not even putting gross stuff in Isaac's breakfast compared to Alanis.

Taylor had failed. He couldn't bring his brother's best friend home to him. He didn't feel like a brother anymore. He felt like a loser who had gone through almost everything for gold just in the end to get copper. Taylor looked over at Isaac. Isaac was feeling down in the dumps too. Isaac blamed himself for almost "killing" Zac. He gave up his license and keys to his dad saying, "I don't deserve them anymore"

Zac looked over at Alanis. The small package he held in his pocket felt like a thousand-pound boulder in his heart. Slowly he pulled it out of his pocket and placed it in Alanis's warm palm. "Don't open it until I leave" he whispered and kissed her cheek.

Alanis sighed deeply. Emotions rocked her between grabbing his coat and never letting go until she saw the plane leave, following him or planning to leave her beautiful home and wonderful family to stay with Zac. She could hear Zac's flight being called. He looked deeply into her eyes one last time, his brown eyes were wet with tears of confusion, regret and sadness. He waved then turned away. Alanis watched him walk to his plane. After the door was closed and he disappeared from sight, a tear slid down Alanis's pale cheek where Zac had kissed her a moment earlier. After about five minutes of staring at the clear blue sky, Alanis left the window. As she walked to where her family was waiting she felt the package Zac had given her. She stopped in the middle of the parking lot and tore open the silver and purple wrapping. Inside was a velvet box, which Alanis opened. Inside was a necklace with an angel charm then there was a ring. The ring had a diamond on it and an inscription.

"We'll always have forever…Z.H."

Alanis smiled and put her necklace on, then her ring. A hand rested calmly on her shoulder. Alanis looked up. There was Sam grinning broadly, his wrinkles were deeper than ever.

"'Tis not the end my child, 'tis only the beginning"

Alanis smiled and said "I know Sam, I know"