Love Me when I'm Gone

After I died, my spirit drifted to my girlfriend's wedding.

Willow wore a pure white wedding dress, and the veil was adorned with tiny diamonds that I'd searched three different malls to find.

She stood hand in hand with Weston before walking down the aisle lined with white roses. That was a scene I'd imagined countless times, but I wasn't the groom.

Lennox and Maya sat in the front row, tears of relief streaming down their faces.

"My son has finally completed his mission. He won't die now."

Willow tilted her head back amid the guests' cheers and hollers, rose onto her tiptoes, and kissed Weston.

My eyes were hollow as I remembered our anniversary. I'd arranged everything a week in advance.

Yet, one word from Weston was all it took for her to abandon me and go camping with him on a mountaintop to watch a meteor shower.

"We can celebrate our anniversary anytime, but Weston has a mission to complete. If I don't accompany him, he'll die."

On my birthday, I'd finally worked up the courage to ask Lennox and Maya to have dinner with me.

They agreed, only to turn around and accompany Weston to a singing competition in the city.

Lennox and Maya, who usually weren't ones for crowds and commotion, had excitedly waved their light-up signs and shouted themselves hoarse.

Memories of my life flooded my mind. Although I was now just a mere spirit, the ache in my chest left me struggling to breathe.

The ceremony ended, and the guests began to disperse.

Weston linked his arm through Willow's and spoke. "Looks like Declan's still mad. Can you believe he wouldn't even show up for such an important day?"

Maya's expression immediately darkened, and her voice filled with disappointment and anger.

"He's just a petty and narrow-minded brat! He can't stand to see Weston being doted upon. Why does he never consider that Weston's so well loved because he's so well-behaved and considerate?

"Alas, all he does is spout nonsense about dying if he fails his mission. What he is, is an attention hog. That boy will throw all sorts of tantrums just to get it."

I floated nearby, hearing every accusation loud and clear. A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

I wanted to tell her that I wasn't lying, that I really would die if I failed the mission.

Just then, Willow raised a hand and gently adjusted her veil, a hint of hesitation crossing her face.

"Maybe… I should go back and talk to him? I could explain that we're only doing this for a mission. Declan isn't that unreasonable."

Lennox immediately cut her off, growling harshly, "We raised him for over 20 years. You think we don't know what he's like? We spoiled him too much growing up, and now he's far too willful. Just ignore him. He'll get over it in a couple of days."

Willow looked as if she wanted to say more, but Weston immediately took her hand and playfully flicked her nose.

"Willow, don't worry about it. Let's go pick out our wedding photos. Everyone's still waiting for us."

She followed him after a mere two-second hesitation, saying, "Fine. Let's just give Declan some time to cool off."

I hovered silently, watching the three of them as my heart ached again and again.

The old Willow would worry if I was out of touch for even ten minutes and would stop at nothing to reach me.

The old her would remember even the most offhand things I'd said.

But now, a few careless words from Weston were all it took for them to decide what kind of person I was.

Willful. Stubborn. Prone to tantrums. Unable to judge what mattered.

Not one of them noticed the secret, smug smile playing at the corners of Weston's lips as he stood beside them. After all, he was handsome and well-behaved.