Come Back to me:Short Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

and anyone could find it but up into middle school we liked to pretend it was our hideout. We hadn’t been there is a couple years  but I imagined it looked the same if not a little overgrown. A big rock sat in the grass by the edge of a small stream. We use to sit there for hours throwing rocks, watching the water splash up while we talked about our day at school.
    I ran as fast as my feet would carry me up the slim trail without busting my ass . I slowed when I heard sobbing.
     
    AnaLee was collapsed on the ground, knees beneath her. Her face hidden behind her slender hands, her body shook with each cry that poured from her perfect lips. I hung my head a moment knowing that I was the reason she was upset. I should have told her sooner but I didn’t know how to break it to her. I had enlisted three days after the accident. Not just for my sister but for everyone that lost their lives that day. I didn’t want to leave Ana, but it was something I felt I had to do.
     
    Without thinking further I made my way toward her, sitting behind her. My legs touching the side of each of her thighs, positioning her between me I wrapped  my arms around her shaking shoulders. Pulling her hair back , I kissed the side of her neck. She shivered suddenly, either from her cries or my touch I didn’t know.
     
    “An? I’m so sorry. I should have told you .”
    She leaned back into me and her warmth felt so good. I ran my hands down to her  waist,pulling her closer to me.
    “I don’t want to leave you.” I whispered.
    She turned, adjusting herself to where she was straddling me. I tried not to focus on the fact she was wearing a dress. A dress, I had memorized where every stitch was by the time we made it to the school earlier. She looked so gorgeous, as she did everyday, but in that dress…my thoughts ran wild.
     
    “Then why are you?” She demanded. “Four years, Jayse? Four damn years!”
     
    I brushed her hair back. “ I’ll get to come home every now and then .Please try to understand,  I have to do this. I feel like this is what I was made to do, fight for the families that lost loved ones and for my sister as she fought for me, so many uncountable times." I shook my head." I owe that to her.”
     
    AnaLee scoffed. “ I’m pretty sure if Alicia was here right now she would kick your ass for doing something so stupid. She wouldn’t want you getting yourself killed!”
     
    “ I ‘m not going to get myself killed, An.”
    “ God, don’t say that ! You don’t know what’s going to happen. What if-what if you never come back? Do you know how miserable I’d be? How miserable your family would be ?"
     
    AnaLee scooted off my lap and stood. “ I can’t do it, Jayse. I can’t wait around for a phone call to tell me you’re dead or hurt. I just can’t.”
    I stood now in a panic. “Wait, are you breaking up with me ? “ I grabbed her shoulders.
    Her face scrunched like she was going to start crying again. “ I don’t know. I just- I need some time to let this soak in.”
     
    “AnaLee. Please.” I ran my hand down her cheek but she brushed it away.
    “I’m sorry,Jayse but I better get home. It’s been a long day and I’m just…” Her eyes filled again, a few tears fell before she could wipe them away.” I’m just really tired.”
    She turned and left. My heart dropped with every step she took without looking back.
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Thirteen: AnaLee
     
    My mother didn’t question my splotchy face and runny mascara when I stepped  in our living room. She just opened her arms which I was thankful for. I wanted to be held …just not by Jayse at the moment. I was so angry but more than anything, heartbroken.
     
    My mother didn’t complain when I had another sobbing fit in her lap. She just brushed my hair away from face and made soothing noises. I’m sure she enjoyed cuddling her baby girl again.
     
    “Honey try to look at it differently. Had you been in his shoes and lost the