RACHEL'S POV

I woke as the light from the hall flooded half of Tony's room. His Mum entered and I could just make out her puffy eyes as she smiled weakly at me. I knew was wrong immediately.

Sliding out from underneath Tony's arm, I crept out of the room and joined her in the hall. She placed her hands on my shoulders and nodded, not daring to let her eyes drift from mine. Letting one tear roll down my cheek, I inhaled as I felt it go down. It was small and harmless, but it felt like a blade slicing through me. All of a sudden, every noise I heard was like a bomb going off. The quiet hum of the fan was making me shake; the blinking of mama's eyes was like someone slamming a door in your face; breathing was like screaming.

'I am so sorry,' she said, pulling me into her arms. I didn't hug back - I felt like if I did, she would crumble. I'd pass on my hurt and she'd just turn to stone. A second tear rolled, and I winced as it sliced my face. Mrs Perry stepped back - hands still on my shoulders - and stared at me. 'Rachel?'

'Mum,' said Tony, walking out of the bedroom. 'What's going on?'

'He passed in the night, Tony,' said mama.

Without saying anything, he wrapped his arms around me. Suddenly, I didn't feel so cold. I fell from a great height and hit the ground of reality. I began to sob violently, the tears no longer bringing pain. I threw my arms around him and trembled as I cried into his shirt.

He's gone. I can never talk to him again. I can't say the things I wanted to, despite the fact I hadn't figured out what they were - everyone has them though, I must have them somewhere deep down. 'T-Tony,' I whimpered, clutching on to him with dear life.

'It's okay,' he whispered, the sheer sound of his voice calming me a little. I squeezed him with all I had, a mixture of anger and sadness giving me power. Lifting me up, he carried me back into his bedroom and set me down on the bed. I wrapped my arms around my legs as I curled up and watched him.

'When my bisabuela (great grandma) died,' he said, opening his cupboard and pushing jackets aside. 'My papa gave me this.' He pulled out an old guitar that looked as if it had been smashed and then glued back together. Despite that, I held a certain beauty. 'I use to play it when I was feeling down and it always made me feel better.' He sat down next to me and I watched intently as he tuned it. Once sounding right, he strummed it and let the sound fill the room. He took a deep breathe before playing a soft tune, the perfect sound of the guitar kissing our ears.

I tried my best
not to notice you're perfect smile
I tried my best
to shy away for a little while

but you caught me out
you called and I came running
now I hear you shout
who knew you were so cunning

I can't shake this off
the starry look in your eyes
were they molded by gods?
darling, you don't even realise
how perfect you are
in my eyes as they glance
and fall on your sweet smile
darling, you don't even realise

stay for a while with me
please, stay for a while with me

His voice went into a whisper and he repeated the last line once more before allowing his head to drop. I hadn't even realised until that moment that I had stopped crying and all the pain had gone.

'That was beautiful,' I said quietly. 'Did you write it?'

'Yeah, a few days after I met you actually.' I began to blush furiously and I put my forehead on his shoulder.

'I'll stay with you forever,' I said softly, lifting my head and kissing his cheek. He put down the car and pulled be closer to him, playing with my hair. He kissed me gently, 'forever,' he repeated against my lips.

Notes

Excuse the shit, tiny song. I wrote it literally in about 3 minutes.. I know it sucks, try and ignore it, okay?
Anyway, thanks for reading! This fic is nearly over... NOT YET THOUGH. Hope you are all doing well! Love you guys <3