𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚠𝚘

Walking through the sunflower field seems different. The air is more crisp than usual, the sun isn't beaming directly on me. A weird darkness is overshadowing the cottage. Maybe it's because my time in this gorgeous piece of heaven has expired.

Hunter leads me over to a patch of grass in the corner of the field, away from the cottage and the lake. It's our private space to just sit and talk.

He brings his knees up to his chest and lets out a huff, glancing at me as I keep my eyes on him. I never want to look away. Everything about his features make me smile. His sly grin, his perfectly aligned teeth.

"What?" He says with a smirk.

"I'm just admiring you." I shrug.

"I'm really proud of you, Hope. The happiness you've radiated here has been contagious."

"That's because I love it here. At first nothing made sense, but the more I've been here the more I've realized it. I don't want to leave." Saying the words stings my throat. I'm just trying to be honest with him.

The look on his face tells me he isn't happy about my reasoning. "I know you can choose to pass onto the afterlife, but it's not worth it."

"Seeing you everyday seems worth it." I point out.

"What if I told you that I don't want you to see me everyday?"

My eyes slightly widen as I watch him exhale a sharp breath. "You don't?"

"No. Remember what I said before? You need to let me go. I know hearing those words are tough, but I refuse to let you stop your life anymore than you already have."

"Look, I know that, okay?" I let out a frustrated sigh. "It's just hard for me. You were my best friend, Hunt. The only person who understood me."

"And now Grayson is that person." He says with a smile.

"What if he leaves me?" I can't help but ask.

"He won't, you want to know why? Because I see your future with him. It's amazing, little sis. You guys travel the world together, attend college together. Sure there's ups and downs but you guys end up happily married with three kids. And don't even get me started on the amount of grandkids you're going to have." He says with a glimmer of joy in his smile.

"Wait, you can see all of that?" My eyes widen in shock.

"Yup." He smirks.

"Show me. Show me the life Grayson and I are going to have."

"I don't want to spoil all of the fun. You're just going to have to trust me."

"I do, trust you." I simply nod and exhale a breath.

The fact that Grayson seems to be my one and only is nerve wracking yet exciting all at once. I've never had a boyfriend before, so I'm clueless about how relationships work. But knowing that my happiness is held in Grayson's hands puts me at ease.

"How are you really feeling about Grayson? Be honest." He scoots closer to me.

"I think he's amazing. He's sweet, and hilarious, and-"

"You're totally in love with him." Hunter says with a chuckle.

"I guess I am. I never really thought about it before, but he snuck up on me." My cheeks burn from blushing so hard.

"You guys are going to figure it out in the real world."

"So, are you telling me we're going to remember?" I raise an eyebrow.

"That I'm unsure of. I know you guys have a great life and relationship, but the one factor I'm missing is if you remember the whole thing, or if you fall for each other from scratch. I'll try to do everything in my power to make you remember."

"I appreciate that." I smile while looking around. The beautiful sunflowers never fail to amaze me. "I'm going to miss this gorgeous place."

"It will miss you, too. And don't think because I'm pushing you to wake up that I hate you or something."

"Never, I know you just want what's best for me." I nod, knowing that's the truth.

Hunter is simply being the best big brother that he's always been. Waking up and dealing with day to day life is the best option for me. Often times we take each day for granted, but now I treasure the life I was given.

"You ready to go back yet?" He raises an eyebrow up.

"I think so." I gulp while rising to my feet.

Hunter also stands up. Standing in front of me, he pulls my body close to his and hugs me with everything he has in him.

I wrap my arms around his back and can't help the tears that are falling from my eyes.

"I love you so much, Hunter." I say while sobbing into his chest.

"I love you more, Hope." He says before pulling away from me. "Whenever you want to feel me, put your hand on your heart. I will do the same." He does the gesture, and I copy his actions, hearing my heartbeat quicken under my palm.

"I will." I say while sniffling.

"Let's find Grayson and get you guys back home before it's too late." He says while turning on the heel of his sneakers and walking away from me.

Letting out a sigh, I follow his head. My eyes wander around the space as if it's the first time. I look down at my white dress and sandals, knowing I'm going to miss the beautiful attire.

My hand moves up to the sunflower that is still perfectly intact in my hair. There's no way I'm getting rid of it now, so I keep it in.

Once we reach the cottage, Grayson is sitting on the couch in the living room. He rises to his feet the second he sees us walk through the backdoor.

"Hey." He says while clearing his throat.

"Hi." I say, rushing into his open arms.

He squeezes his hands around my lower back as I inhale his scent. He smells like grass and sunflowers, in the most manly way. Clinging onto his body feels so warm and comforting.

Hunter's words about our future together ring through my mind as I hug him tighter.

I know I opened myself up to Grayson in our own piece of heaven, but the real world is different. I'm hoping I take on love with full force.

"It's going to be okay, H. We'll get through everything." He says while planting a tender kiss on my forehead.

"I know we will." I sigh while looking up at him.

He cups my cheeks and leans down to kiss my lips. I squeeze my eyes shut and passionately kiss him back. My stomach is erupting with butterflies and my head feels like it's going to explode.

Pulling his lips away from mine, he runs the pad of his thumb over them. "That's just incase we don't remember any of this."

A light grin forms on my lips as I turn my body to look at Hunter. "We're ready now, take us to the hospital."

"Okay." He says.

Blinking back tears, my eyes adjust to the bright lights that are illuminating the hospital room. Turning my head, I see my parents surrounding my bed. The tubes of oxygen are still indented into my nose.

"Are there any last words you want to say to her?" The nurse asks while flashing my parents a sad look.

My mother is full blown hyperventilating, which causes my heart to ache. I would have never imagined she would get this worked up over me, since she did the opposite for Hunter.

"Hope Elizabeth Myers, my sweet baby girl." She says while grabbing onto my hand. "I am so sorry for making you doubt your worth. I have been a terrible mother this past year, since your brother's passing. I should have been grieving with you, but instead I pushed you away. I need you to know this." She says while sobbing.

Tears slide down my cheeks as I watch her break down in front of me. For a moment, she resembles the mother I used to know. The one who has passion and sympathy about life.

"I'm so sorry I failed you, sweetheart. I just want you to know that I love you and will spend the rest of my life mourning the loss of both you and Hunter."

My father walks to the other side of the bed, and gently holds onto my hand. "I just hope you find peace and forgiveness in the afterlife. We love you more than you will ever know."

"They care." I whisper, looking back at Hunter.

"Of course they do, they always did. Everyone grieves differently." He says while nodding his head.

My eyes shift to Grayson's parents surrounding his bed. Ethan is a crying mess, resembling my own mother.

"I never thought this day would come, that I would have to say goodbye to my twin." He says in between his sobs.

"Grayson, we love you so much." His mother cries while placing her hand on his cheek.

"I'm coming, mom. Just hold on." Grayson says while looking back at Hunter.

"I know this is a hard day for both families, but I request that you all step out of the room while we shut the machines off. You can come in after and grieve if you wish." The nurse says as a few more doctors step into the room.

"You guys need to go back, now." Hunter says in a rushed voice.

Grayson lets out a sigh, stepping closer to my brother. He places a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for everything, man. It was an absolute pleasure to get to know you, even for this short while."

"You're an amazing kid, Grayson. I put my full trust in you to take care of Hope and give her the life that she deserves."

Grayson looks at me and I can't help the smile that appears on my lips.

"I promise I won't fail you." He says before walking over to his body lying on the bed.

Rubbing my lips together, I turn to look at Hunter. "I love you so much."

"I love you more, remember hand on your heart." He says while pressing his palm into his chest.

I nod my head and copy his action again, feeling my heart thumping. "I will."

"Until we meet again, little sis." He says with tears forming his eyes.

"Until we meet again, Hunter." I repeat while walking over to my body, looking down at the figure on the bed.

"Oh, and expose the truth for me. It's time everyone finds out." Hunter speaks up.

His words cause my skin to heat up. He gives me an encouraging nod, almost like he's proud of how far we've come.

"Will do." I say while looking at my body.

"How do we do this?" Grayson says in a rushed voice.

"Place your hand on your body's forehead and breath in through your nose, out through your mouth. Allow your spirit to melt into it."

Grayson and I look at each other one last time before I slowly lift my hand and place it on my body's forehead. A few nurses are walking around me, seconds away from unplugging the machine.

I close my eyes and exhale a deep breath. That's when everything goes black.