Live and Let Die ~ Chapter Eighteen

by Nyx (Eden) in Ontario

A/N: Thanks to CamiBeth for commenting on the last chapter. Exciting news guys! This is officially the longest story I've ever stayed commited to! Yeah, it's exciting to me. Anyways, comments and CC are really appreciated and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

"Y-you're leaving?" Rick leans back in his beanbag chair, his face suddenly troubled and insecure. His strawberry banana smoothie sloshes over the edge of his cup but he doesn't seem to notice. I take a sip of my smoothie and pull the hair back from my face.

"I'm not sure," I admit to him, looking around the common room to try to avoid his gaze. "My parents want me to and I kind of want to, too. But I don't want to leave you guys. You're what keeps me going every day. And Honeydale feels like home!"

Rick smiles, an unexpected reaction. "Well, I think you should take this opportunity to get out of here. Don't you want to go back to school and have fun? Don't you want to move on with your life?"

I nod. "I sure do! But I'll miss you all so much!"

He shrugs and takes another sip of his overflowing smoothie. "You know, I'm sure Nyx will be out of here in no time. She's been doing really well lately. Oceean too! I don't want to be the only one that's holding you back. You deserve to leave, Ren."

I nod thoughtfully, and then sit up startled. "Why can't you leave, Rick? Just a few weeks ago you were at that party having fun! You look like a normal guy..."

He lets out a deep gravelly breath. "You want to know why I'm here, Ren? Guilt. That's all there is to it."

I shake my head, confused. "What are you guilty about? You did nothing wrong!"

He stands up, and I stand up too. He tries to look away, but I follow his gaze. "That cold night a few weeks ago, I pushed Tori in that pool. I made her freezing and wet so she'd want to go home. Not on purpose, but either way it happened. If I'd never pushed her in, she never would have gotten into that car and she wouldn't be dead right now. That's why I'm here."

When he looks towards me, I see that he's crying quietly.

"It's not your fault," I whisper. "If she were here, she'd tell you you're crazy. You are not responsible for her death. No one can control death."

He nods. "I guess you're right. Thanks, Ren. That took a load off my shoulders. Maybe I am ready to leave."

I smile. "I know you are."