Page 1 of Sparrow

2004

“NEVER FORGET ME,Mills,” he says with a deep, gruff voice as he clasps a necklace around my neck. “Wear this and remember me forever. Promise me.”

I reach up and slide my fingers around the small charm at the base of my throat and pull it out just enough, so I can look down at it.

“A bird?” I ask, running my finger along the curves of the pendant.

“A sparrow. They symbolize vigilance and hard work. It can guide you to a happy and full life. It’s a symbol of protection. Even if we never see each other again, I’ll always be there…” he reaches down to touch the necklace, “over your heart.”

I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to say goodbye. The idea of it makes my chest ache: deep and painful. But I know—we know—we have to, even though I want to stomp my feet and refuse, but know it’s right. I’m sixteen years old. I’m moving. Leaving Savannah to go to California with my dad, and Grayson is getting on a bus to leave me forever right now. Right this second. The Marines. It’s so noble, but I hate it all the same. I want to grasp onto his arm and never let him go.

“We don’t have to do this, Gray. I’ll run away. I’ll tell Dad I’m not leaving and I’ll wait here for you.” My voice sounds desperate, I know. I’m begging, but we both know this is the right choice. Ending things now with only good memories.

“You’re sixteen. You need to live, Mills. Go to California. Go to college. Go to that fancy-ass cooking school you always talk about.” He cups my cheek softly and runs his thumb along my jawline. “We’ll find each other again. I feel it, but...don’t stop living just to wait for me. I don’t want that for you.”

I blink back my tears and lean my face into his touch. Grayson Aldrich: the boy who stole my heart. The boy who set the bar. The boy who became the man I’ll never forget.

My father told me two months ago we were moving to California at the end of the school year. My mom is never around, so he plays the roles of both mom and dad. I know he only does what is best for me, but that doesn’t mean I want to go. I don’t want to leave Georgia.

When I told Gray the news, he held me while I cried. He stroked my hair and kissed away my tears, and then we talked. We talked about the future, and how he was leaving for basic training after graduation, and how we both knew this was going to be the end of our time together. It wasn’t an easy conclusion to come to, but in the end...I knew he was right, even if I fought him about it at first.

There is music pumping through the bus station, and an oldie but goodie pipes in, serenading us about fooling around and falling in love.

“Dance with me,” he whispers in my ear.

“What? Right here?” I look up at him.

“Right here.” He wraps his arms around my body, and I rest my cheek to his chest, listening to the beat of his heart.

We stay like this, uncaring of those around us until the phrase I’ve been dreading breaks through the music.

“Bus 435 to Charleston. Now boarding.” The woman’s voice is loud over the PA. I can hear the vibration of her words in my stomach.

“This is it.”

“Gray...I—” He cuts me off before I can finish, putting his lips to mine. I wish this kiss could last forever. I wish I could crawl into his body and never look back. He kisses me through my tears. He kisses me through my sobs against his lips. He tries to kiss the heartache away.

When he finally pulls back, he kills me with those bright green eyes and that wicked smile. I can still see it written all over his face, though; he’s trying to stay strong for me. That in and of itself makes me love him even more.

“I love you, Mills.”

“I love you, too. Be careful. Be safe. Please. Even if I never see you again, please...come home safely.”

He gives me a wink, and one final kiss, before beginning to move away. Our arms outstretch as we part, but we don’t relinquish our hold on one another until the distance is too great. My fingers slip from his and he disappears onto the bus.

I don’t know what the future holds for either of us, but as I stand here, caressing the gold sparrow on my neck, I know one thing for certain...

I’ll never forget him.

***

I stayed by the window at the bus station until I was able to see the bus pull away. That was the hardest part, even harder than letting him physically leave my presence.

I wipe my tears away with the sleeves of my hoodie and turn for the door, finding my dad standing there waiting for me.

He agreed to bring me to the station so I could say goodbye properly, even if he thought it was just young, puppy love.

My dad didn’t understand my connection to Gray, but he never prevented us from seeing one another. He knew he made me happy.

“Come here.” He opens his arms to me and I dash into them, finally breaking down into the tears I tried my best to keep at bay.

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