Final Dance

A Story by SkY_BLuE

Underneath the stars, she said her last goodbye

I remember that day. I was 12 years old. I was falling in love with a girl named Layla. To put it in a way, she was exactly my type. She was smart, beautiful, nerdy, her eyes are hazel. To me, it was perfect. It was three days before her birthday, before I was about to confess my love to her, my mother told me the most painful words I have ever felt.

"Lionel, Layla passed away. She was hit by a speeding car on her way home."

Those words... It turned my life to complete darkness. I ran to my room, I covered myself with a gray blanket and then I cried. I cried my soul out. I cried until there was nothing left.

Then my vision was shrouded by this bright light.

I woke up in this field of grass in the middle of the night. The sound of crickets were everywhere. The fireflies gave me a dim light.

"Where am I", I thought to myself. "What is this?"

"Lionel..." a soft voice said. It was... Layla's

"No! This can't be!" I thought to myself.

I turned around and I saw an angel. Her skin was bright, almost glowing. I saw wings behind her. The feathers were pure white.

"Layla..." I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"I'm sorry for leaving you like this, Lionel." She said. I felt the sympathy of her voice.

"It's okay. It's not your fault." A tear fell out of my eye and Layla wiped it away with her soft fingers.

"Layla, there's something I need to tell you." I said. It was better late than never, right?

"Oh, stop it Lionel. I already know. You're really easy to read, you know." then she smiled. I fell in love even more seeing her smile like that.

Her wings folded then she gave me her hand.

"It's weird that I'm asking you this but, would you like to dance with me? I always wanted to dance with you Lionel."

I quickly held it

"Sure, Layla." I said to her.

"Do you remember that song we liked listening to?" She asked.

"Of course I do. How could I forget?" I said to her.

She hummed. I placed my hands on her. I wish that moment lasted forever. We were slowly moving. We danced underneath the starry blue skies. We danced beside the dimly lit fireflies. It was all too good to be true, dancing with the one I deeply loved.

She twirled and held her body close to mine. She whispered in my ear.

"There's something I want to tell you too."

She kissed my cheek.

"I love you Lionel. I'm sorry for leaving you."

She let go and revealed an hourglass from inside of her pocket.

"I'm running out of time. I'm sorry." Tears gently rolled out of her eyes.

"Layla..." I quickly wiped the tear off her eye. My hand was on her face for a moment.

"I'll never forget you. I love you." I said to her. I said these words from the bottom of my heart.

Then she started fading away.

"Lionel. I'm out of time. It's time for me to go."

I reached for her hand, but I couldn't. My hand phased through hers.

"It's okay Lionel, I'm your guardian angel. I'll watch over you. You might not see me, but I'll always be there for you. Promise."