Chapter Text
Jamie's life was surrounded by changes. Over and over, things always seemed to bring something different into her life, even if she didn't have to ask.
Obviously, everyone has changes in life. But Jamie thinks that maybe her life has a little more. Some good, others bad.
Since the moment she was born: when unfortunately her biological family died, and she was adopted by her mothers, to the moment she left her hometown to follow her dreams of becoming a writer.
In fact, of all these changes, there is one of them that has never left her mind and heart.
Jamie still remembers the moment that she considers to be the most important of her life.
When she met the son of the new neighbor, the same who offered 20 dollars to become friends with the little boy.
Cove Holden. God, this name makes Jamie's heart tremble just with the simple thought of the name of this guy.
In the beginning, he didn't look like a good boy. He was really spoiled by his father, and clearly seemed to have no interest in having fun with Jamie, her sister, and her friend, Shiloh.
But for some reason, she couldn't keep him alone. When the little girl saw his beautiful aquamarine eyes, she felt hypnotized. All her attention went to him. And it was the way she could finally understand the truth: Cove was just sad and lonely because of his relative's divorce.
And then, they became best friends. They liked to go out and explore the world, or hang out at Poppy Hill behind their houses. But mainly, the thing they loved most was creating their own world, where only the two of them lived. Together. Her moms usually called them “The Best Duo” in the past. And for Jamie, that was true: If you couldn't find her, you could be sure that she was with Cove. The same for him. But, for some reason, if you could not find the two together, it was because one of them was sick or traveling.
After all these years, she really believed that they would be together forever, as friends or maybe something more.
And then suddenly, she lost her true ally.
In the summer of her 18th year, there was a fight between their friends Terry and Miranda. Jamie and Cove were clearly worried and tried everything to help the two reconcile. And when things seemed better, she decided to take the opportunity after years to tell the story about the 20 dollar note and his father. Even if she did not accept the money, Jamie thought it wasn't fair for something like that to be hidden. And in her mind, Cove would not have such a bad reaction because of the good relationship he was building with his dad at that time.
Well, she was really wrong.
Cove reacted in the worst way possible. His tears made Jamie regret her decision and wish to go back to the past to make sure that decision would never be chosen again. To make sure, things would definitely change. And it broke her heart to see him leaving her house with no intention of returning.
And he never came back.
Jamie was destroyed. She just wanted to disappear and stay in her bed. She didn't eat, take a shower, or talk with her family. Jamie didn't want anything. She wanted him.
The most important person in her life was gone, and she never could tell him properly how much she loved him. Not just like a normal friend type of love, but like a different type of love, if you can understand this feeling.
Jamie wasn't even happy when she received the acceptance letter from the school she applied to. Although she loved to write and create adventures, the world she had created seemed to have ended with a bad ending. Jamie was not sure anymore if she wanted to leave the city without making up with Cove.
She only managed to do it after summoning all her courage. And after her family had tried to help her and hadn't given up on her. That's when she realized that her best friend wouldn't come back anymore; he had definitely forgotten about her and had no intention of returning to her life.
Their souls were no longer destined to be together.
It took a long time for Jamie to start feeling a bit better about her situation. She tried to make friends in the new town, tried to adapt and live a happy life. She even tried to find a new partner (well, she tried, because all of her blind dates were a disaster).
And she was doing well in her new job! She was about to release her first novel, and her moms made sure she knew that everyone in Sunset Bird would have a copy of her book.
Jamie was embracing the changes in her life, and it didn't seem so bad.
Until recently.
Jamie was looking at her mailbox when she saw a surprise, the invitation to Randy and Terry's wedding had finally arrived! Even though she already knew her friends would get married very soon, it was only when she read the invitation that everything felt so real. Jamie was so happy for them that she didn't know how to express her emotions.
After finishing reading, she went straight to the phone to call the number she had already memorized.
— Hi, did you receive it? — Miranda says with a little laugh.
— Oh my God, Randy. I'm so happy for you guys! It almost feels unreal, you're really getting married. — Jamie says, almost bursting with excitement.
Miranda laughed when she noticed her friend's enthusiasm.
— Isn't it? I feel like we're real adults now, you know, for real. I still can't believe it.
— Actually, — Miranda continued, — I'd like to ask something important. — Jamie stayed silent as a sign of agreement for her to continue. — I know it might sound a bit silly, but, would you like to be my maid of honor?
Jamie teared up at the question.
— Really? Oh, Randy. Of course! That would make me more than happy. — The two of them laughed like two little girls gushing over their first crush. It didn't even seem like one of them was about to get married.
But suddenly, the call went quiet, and Jamie felt that her friend was thinking about something serious.
— Randy? What's wrong? Is everything okay between you and Terry? — Of course! Everything's great between us. It's just that… you know the wedding will be in Sunset Bird, right?
Damn it, Jamie had read it on the invitation, but she hadn't noticed this detail until now.
— Oh, I saw that.
— And Terry and I know that you and Cove haven't spoken in years. But we're still friends with him just like we are with you, so…
— Randy, please, just say it.
— Cove will be at the wedding too, and he'll be Terry's best man.
Damn.
Forget about changes being good. Jamie wanted to jump off the highest cliff.