You don't know what you got until it's gone...
Stop, you're losin' me.
Stop, you're losin' me.
Stop, you're losin' me.
No shit.
Because that's exactly what she did.
She was gone. And I never knew why.
I've gone over it a thousand times, rewinding every memory, every word, every look—trying to find the exact second she decided I wasn't worth keeping around.
And the only thing I ever land on is the night before prom.
That night I gave her the necklace. The one I blew all my savings on. First piece of jewelry I'd ever bought for anyone. From my own pocket.
From my...heart.
Can't believe I even had that side in me.
Me, Zach Westbrook. Turning into Mr. Sentimental.
But she deserved it.
Caroline deserved something that showed her how much she meant to me.
For putting up with my crap. For standing by me even when half the school treated her like garbage just because she wasmybest friend. I wanted her to have something beautiful. Something that saidyou're special to me.
Because she was.
Hell, she still is—judging by the fact I'm standing here three years later, still hung up like a complete idiot.
And then... that almost-kiss.Jesus.
My heart was pounding like it was trying to break free from my chest that night. Hands shaking, palms sweaty—straight outof an Eminem song. Except it wasn't nerves about a game, it was her. Caroline. My best friend. My Sugarplum.
She was right there, straddling me, looking down at me like maybe—maybe—she wanted me too.
So yeah, I went for it. Slid my hands on her waist, pulled her closer.
And yeah, I was hard. I'm a guy, sue me.
If she noticed, she didn't let on. Just stared up at me with those beautiful aquamarine eyes that made me forget how to breathe.
I swear to God, I thought she wanted it too. The kiss. Us. Everything.
But maybe I read it wrong. Wouldn't be the first time my dumbass brain got carried away. Maybe that's when I screwed it all up.
Because the next day—prom day—I was tugging on that ridiculous Nutcracker outfit, excited and nervous as hell, when her text came through.Can't go to prom. Stomach bug.
And instead of feeling crushed about missing prom, I just panicked.
I ran straight to her room, ready to play nurse, to take care of her. But her balcony door was locked.
Freaking locked!
