A flash of surprise registered in my eyes. I’d thought I’d played it cool, always acting like family drama was just another Tuesday.

Drake, though? He saw right through that act.

I glanced at my mother. She fumbled in her pocket, pulling out some crumpled bills, the old-school kind.

“Here, take it,” she whispered, pressing the cash into my hand. “Buy yourself something nice. I finally got a chance.”

I sniffled, then turned to Drake. “Can you… take her away? And maybe keep an eye on her for me, after I’m gone?”

Drake nodded, signaling for someone to escort her out.

Ugh, so annoying. I’d wanted to peace out of this world with a clean slate, but here were these people, the ones who loved me and then ghosted me, popping back up.

Drake helped me back to bed, his hand gently stroking my hair. “I found out,” he said, his voice low. “That woman she’s carrying… it’s not mine.”

I nodded.

He studied me. “You look a little bummed out.”

“Nah. Your parents, though? They must be.”

He pulled a cameo necklace from his coat. “My mom wanted you to have this. It’s only for the wife of the Alexander family.”

I started to refuse.

“Don’t,” he said, his tone firm.

And then he clasped it around my neck.

I let out a hollow laugh. “Drake, I’m running out of time. You should take it back. Give it to the actual lady of the house someday…”

“No. I only want you to have it,” he insisted, stubborn as ever.

I pressed my dry, cracked lips together and nodded.

He touched my forehead. The doctor appeared in the doorway. “Cecilia, is he family?”

“I am,” Drake stated, turning to face him, unwavering.

The doctor muttered, “Finally shows up, now that she’s practically… Come here for a sec.”

After Drake was called out by the doctor, I lay back down. When he returned, his smile was forced.

“Cecilia,” he said, “the doc says I can take you out for a bit. Where do you wanna go?”

My eyes fluttered open, a faint smile gracing my lips. “The university.”

Where our love story kicked off.

Drake, fighting back tears, rushed to pack my things. It was obvious my time was up for the day.

While he was busy, I quietly slipped the necklace off, stashed it in my pocket, and wrapped a scarf around my neck, hiding the bare skin.

An hour later, we were on campus. He carried me over to the bleachers by the football field.

I leaned on his shoulder, watching the guys on the field, so full of life, and the girls on the sidelines, cheering with their water bottles.

Drake nudged his chin toward one of the girls. “See her? The one with the starry eyes? Kinda reminds you of yourself back then, huh?”

I playfully elbowed him.

“I don’t know who it was that saw me get a love letter and decided to play football in a thunderstorm, thinking they were so cool.”

Drake chuckled. “That was all you. I had a fever for days after that.”

I smiled faintly. Drake sighed. “Time flies. Our dreams were so simple then. Just you, and some cash.”

“Yeah, they were,” I murmured.

“Cecilia, I’m so sorry. I’ll never forgive myself for pushing you into the ocean that day. If it weren’t for me… your cancer might not have…”

I gently cut him off. “Cancer is cancer, Drake. Don’t carry that guilt. It’s smart to be wary of people. You gotta look out for yourself from now on.”

He sniffled, his gaze distant, watching the ebb and flow on the field. I quietly slipped the necklace back into his pocket.

“Drake, I’m so tired.”

His body tensed, and he pulled me closer. “Sleep. I’m right here.”

The school bell rang, the sound of retreating footsteps faded, and the field fell silent, like the calm after a tempest.

I rested my head on his chest. His heartbeat was a frantic drum against my ear, punctuated by the sound of him swallowing.

“Cecilia? Are you cold?”

“……”

I wanted to answer, but the words wouldn’t come. His tears splashed on my eyelashes. This was the second time he’d cried.

I wanted to lift my hand, to wipe his tears, but my body wouldn’t obey. I must be gone already.

So it’s true, touch and hearing don’t just vanish the second you die.

I felt him stir. A sudden coolness brushed my neck – the necklace, being placed back.

He let out a shaky sigh. “I told you,” he choked out. “I always know what you’re thinking the second your eyes flicker.”

The End