Lukas's PoV

Somehow, I knew I would meet Jesse again. I was feeling so nervous but also a bit anxious. Why did she even start talking to me in the first place? Did she pity me? I looked down at the piece of candy in my hand, with the words, "Thanks." on it. Ugh, Lukas, I told myself, why are you so cringy?

I laughed a little at that. Here I was, talking to myself in the park. With the lights off and everything was quiet, I could see the sky, splashed with thousands of stars and a bright, circular moon. I didn't know why I felt so empty. I had no true friend, no one to confide in. I turned on my phone, it's glow lighting up my surroundings. There was a picture of Petra and I, way back when we were just kids.

Now we've grown apart. Far apart. I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the guilt inside me again. I hurt her. I hurt Petra, of all people. Petra's incident was my fault. Not Aiden's. Not Jesse Jone's. Mine. I could blame the alcohol. But I knew deep down, that it was all me. When I saw Petra and Jesse together, I just felt jealous. I was worried about Petra, I loved her. But now she had Jesse. My heart was aching, and I couldn't do anything about it.

"You don't have to cry about it." Someone said, sitting down beside me on the bench. I looked up to see Jesse Collins. Her green eyes looking up at the sky, and her hair blowing back a little from the wind. "You can talk to me, Lukas." Jesse said, taking my wrist to pull my hands away from my face. I slid backwards, almost falling off the bench. "What- where did you-." I started to say when my confusion gave way to anger.

"Why?" I stood up, suddenly angry, and  bitter. "Why do you care? Why do you care so much as to listen to what I have to say?" I asked as Jesse stood up as well. "People stay away from me." I said, "I don't have anyone." Jesse continued to stay quiet.

"I did something really horrible." I said angrily, pacing around the bench. "I almost killed Petra. Killed HER!" And I started crying again, torn apart by my own decisions. "Lukas," I felt Jesse take my wrist again and pull me to sit on the bench. "I'm sorry. I really am." I buried my hands in my face, not caring that I was crying. I was done living.

"Lukas." Jesse said and she forced me to look at her. "Look, I know you're upset. But you have to move on." she said, and looked at me with her soft green eyes, very different from the ones which looked at me when I tripped her. "I don't know how to." I replied lamely, and wiped my eyes. "Then I'll teach you." Jesse said softly.

I sighed, feeling drained. "Why do you take time to care?" I asked, my voice shaking a little. Jesse smiled, and pulled out a shell. "Remember this?" She said, holding it out to me. A shell? "A shell?" I asked, voicing my thoughts and confusion. Jesse nodded and ran a finger over the smooth surface of the shell.

"I was at the park, a very long time ago. And along came this group of people," Jesse looked down at the shell, "They started to bully me. And they didn't stop until a little blonde boy stepped up, to save me from their harsh words." she looked up at me and smiled.

I remembered that faint memory. "I- that was you?" I asked, feeling my cheeks burn. "Yep. And once the boy chased the bullies away, he gave this to me." Jesse held out the shell. "What.. but you moved away. And I never got to know your name." I said, a little surprised and also flustered.

"Well," Jesse laughed, "Now you do know my name. But anyway, since you helped me once," Jesse placed the shell in my hands, "I'll help you this time."

-End

A/N
I should probably stick to updating one book at a time.. since these books involve timelines which change change the story and will affect the work of The Highest- uh.. I mean... never mind.