We continued walking down the path and I could feel my eyes pop out when a girl appeared in our way. Riley smiled at the beautiful figure and pushed me forward. The girl had beautiful black hair that was quite long and such eyes . . . simply indescribable. I reached out to the girl with my fingertips as she stepped forward with such grace, I was dumbfounded.
"Ava," I marveled, transfixed, "You're alive?"
"Ha, Noah . . . don't I wish?" she responded and I took a step back at the sound of the familiar voice. She smiled sadly at my expression. "No, I am very much dead . . . on Earth. But Noah, we're on the Transition Grounds." Riley looked at Ava and then at my expression. I didn't even notice her; my eyes were glued on Ava.
"Transition Grounds?" I asked as I stepped closer to Ava and tenderly touched her hand, in pure awe.
"Yes," answered Riley from behind, "the place between Earth and Heaven."
"He-e-eaven?" I stuttered.
"Yes Heaven! My Flexor's Flower, you're pretty dense in times of stress, now aren't you." Riley grumbled a little annoyed. I ignored her outburst as I tried to soak it all in, like a sponge. She was right though; I was reaching a point where I was bordering crazy and delusional.
Ava?s silvery hand reached to stroke my cheek which was now wet and salty. I hated it. Riley suddenly was interested in some purple flower and I was alone with Ava.
"Ava . . . I miss you." I gulped down a few sobs and hugged the figure. Her body felt fragile yet strong; I couldn't describe it. "I-f . . . what you're saying is true . . . that this is really Heaven - well - then you . . . can see us?? I hiccuped, surrendering and letting the tears pour, larger and wetter than ever before. I loved her embrace and I loved her. I couldn't take the pain and I felt lost and confused and delusional and crazy and upset and a whole bunch of other emotions.
"Yes. I watch you and Mom every day and I miss you guys so much. I get lonely but hey, Lily is here too." Ava whispered. I remembered our old dog, Lily. So adorable and innocent, she died because of old age. I thought about what Ava had said. "And Noah, on a serious note, make new friends . . . you can't continue life like you were. It was unbearable for me to watch. Please try."
"Come with me." I suddenly said, ecstatic I found an answer to everything.
"I'd love to but I can't, Noah my time has passed. I need you to understand that." It stung. I couldn't believe it, Ava couldn't just leave forever. I remembered the files.
"Ava," I blurted out, "they took your body and pretended it was another girl. It was all a deal! I read about it and everything. Riley's uncle had made a deal for money and . . ." I trailed off.
"I know." She said as she cradled my shaking body. I was furious at those people for doing such a thing.
Riley walked toward us and said, "Come on Noah, let's leave. Your mother is trying to get you to wake up."
"Wait, so my body is on Earth?"
"Yes," replied Riley as she grabbed my arm. I touched Ava's hair one last time and she kissed me on the cheek. After that, it was all a distant blur.
