The day he left was on repeat in my mind, it had only been a week ago but his words, his smile. Something was different about him that morning we had woken up, and to my surprise other people were worried about this too.
One in particular, as he spoke clearly and concisely on the phone."I'm just saying don't let him turn you rotten inside", Zeke warned, and at this point I was tuning him out, I wanted answers as to why they hated each other.Was he really allowed to boss me around like this? I knew it was wrong to agree to his words, even though I knew they weren't true but I just wanted him to stop yelling in my ear."Okay", I said, toying with the blanket we had wrapped ourselves in that cold night with hail and rain. Zeke didn't know about that night, nobody did.I knew Lola had told Zeke her point of view into this situation and just like Lola did, Zeke lectured me about sleeping with the devil. He wasn't the devil, he was far from it, he was a person wNatalie and Nolan both got into the car making room for me, but it seemed Natalie hadn't mentioned a word of the ordeal to Nolan, as our conversation went on like normal.On the drive, I had a lot of thinking to do. I don't know why I was so nervous asking Dallas to pick up his clothes. Did he now make me nervous? Is that what this is?I guess it had been awhile since I had had a normal conversation with a person my own age, maybe I was just afraid of the social interaction of it all. Maybe that's why I couldn't say a word to Lola. Maybe that's why I couldn't tell Zeke that he didn't have a part in my life anymore. The saddest part of this whole ordeal was Dallas, the boy I hated, I despised him but he was the only one I had had a real conversation with."Just smile and nod if anyone talks to you", Natalie said reminding me that the success of this magazine rode on this night. That's likely what she was going to do all night, just agree with what everyone said
Ever since the launch party, Natalie had barely left the house. She had become too frightened of just how close she had come to risking the babies that day at the launch party. During the part, Natalie had a scare that had everyone concerned for the newly pregnant women. I knew she hadn't eaten much that day or drank enough, she had this overwhelming stress that came over her that day. I knew she had been pushing her limits that day, it was as if she had lost those boundaries that she had set with herself to protect her and the babies.But during the party, she became squeamish and dizzy, I remembered she had rushed off the stage towards Nolan and tumbled in his arms. Nolan took her to the back carefully, we gave her water and some food and she was feeling better after that.But the aftermath of all of that scared her the most, I think she was still so embarrassed and surprised that she had let it get so bad. But ever since then she took her bed rest the doctor had ordered
Sunny rays and walks in the town was all Natalie could think about, as she sat on the couch going through the itinerary, yes that was how bored she was. She had time to plan the whole thing. Down to each detail, down to each second. I just knew nobody had this same level of commitment for anything, I sure didn't. "I even made some time where we could do anything you wanted to do", she cheered, going through each item and crossing it off. I knew she wanted to find anything to make me feel included in a sense, but I had to remind her again that I was already going to have a fantastic time without anyone else there with me. "I think I'll be okay", I told her, hoping she would take it off her schedule of things. I knew half of the time I would be out in the city, wandering through the culture that was embedded in the town. We were supposed to be in Aruba in ten hours, and during the time since she had planned this trip Natalie found every opportunity to invite
The plane rocked and shook, waking me up harshly. My head rested on something hard, as I felt someone's hands reach over me, trying to search for something, and as I looked at the 'thing' my head was resting on, I found it wasn't a thing at all, but a person. Dallas's eyes warned me, and finally he made eye contact with me, removing his hands from my body. His eyes were drawn away, and he towered over me again as he grabbed my seat belt, strapping me in safely. With no words he tightened the belt. And sat himself back down in the seat, I still couldn't process this all, I was still confused on how he was even here. "The seatbelt sign came on, we're landing soon", he spoke in a monotone voice, and his eyes distant as ever. He couldn't even look at me, let alone look into my eyes as he talked. The word distant couldn't even describe how he was. I wanted to ask him, if he was okay? If he was upset about something? But as he kept looking back in his seat, as I observed hi
Dallas was more distant than he could ever be, always racing off to check on his phone. Maybe his long-distance girlfriend had been keeping him busy over the phone. Now it sounded like I was bored. How could I be bored? I sat on my chair under an umbrella, looking out at the strong ocean, that was propelling the smell of salt through my hair. My hair had already taken up the smell, by just being here since lunch. "You should get in the water", Natalie shouted, as they played in the open waves, crashing just below their knees. They were splashing water on each other and being all lovey-dovey, I would be doing Cupid wrong if I went and interrupted them, besides they need as much time with themselves before they have children. I should at least give them that. I had opted out of the water knowing my book wouldn't appreciate it and besides the swimsuits, I had bought, per Natalie's request showed too much. The only way I would wear it is if it was pitch black, or I
We walked down the stairs in silence, I was too focused on not tripping over my dress, and Dallas was close behind me. God this place needed elevators. BADLY. We grabbed the many things, Alec wanted us too, and Dallas was just about to load them in the car and I had a better idea. "Let's walk, come on", I motioned for him as he took the bouquet of flowers I had him hold and he walked side by side without any complaints. "So the happy couple is in love?" He asked, almost asking just to spite me. He emphasized the word love as if he didn't believe in it, like it was just something a person wanted, but could never get. "They are, they've been through so much together", I spoke about them like magic, Dallas probably thought it was meaningless. "Good for them", he huffed and puffed. "You don't believe in love?" I asked him, as we walked closer to the river nearing off the street. His demeanor changed as he dug his pockets in his hands just like when I
I sent it under the door, listening for him to pick up the paper against the door. The rustle and wrinkle of the paper sounded from his hands, and I heard his little chuckle echo softly through the room. It was good enough for me. I heard his steps go grab something and he came back, writing on the paper as I could hear the pen tracing over the words deeply into the paper. He sent it under the door, as I grabbed it before it could make its way any further. The paper was just how I had drawn it, except a box had been checked off. And some words that had made me chuckle were left on it. It read' I'm fucking fine, Bambi' I wrote on the bottom of the paper, writing out my question to him. What broke? I sent it under the door, and I heard him pick it up against the wood floors. He tore his own paper, and wrote out his own answer, I had hoped. He sent it under the door, keeping the other note with him. Probably he had trashed it. My phone
I was fascinated that he knew exactly what I was looking for, well what I had come here to do. I grabbed a table, as he went to grab a menu. I set my bag on the ground, as he came back with a menu in his hand and set his own bag on the ground. "This whole island knows Spanish except for me", I said exasperated, as I looked at the menu all written in a language I didn't understand. The words didn't even sound similar to what they were. "Thank goodness you're just a tourist", he said, looking over the menu, himself. He translated each item, after he watched me squirm and get frustrated with the menu. I finally settled on the lobster bisque, by the time the waiter had come by. He spoke fluent Spanish as he ordered our meals and I just sat there in amusement looking as useless as ever. The words he spoke were laced with something special as he said it so strongly, I couldn't imagine him saying something like that into my ear. I would naturally combust, any
3 years later I jumped out of my seat, rushing to turn in my 1,000 word essay written in the span of three hours. I slipped it on the professor's desk and held onto my pair of books, rushing out of the school's doors. People rushed and sprinted past me, as I looked down the street for my red ride. Like a proper man Dallas was, he was leaning against the car, reading. It was the last string of our junior classes before we went on a much needed and deserved spring break trip. Dallas and I had been looking forward to spring break, ever since we had planned it. Davina and I had planned a trip, with some of our other friends. Each couple was all going to head down to Greece for the remainder of the week. We both needed a break massively, especially some alone time with just the two of us would be good. I needed just time basking in his gaze and the suns. It sounded heavenly. Especially because Dallas and I were going to drive down to home for two days, right before the trip. I needed to
"Melody Clemente". My principal dearly said as I walked across the stage and shook his hand, I beamed at the person next to him and instead of the handshake that normally would have been given. He hugged me, Nolan had been something of a father figure the past few years. He loved my sister like she was the whole solar system, and he loved me too. He saw me as his own flesh and blood, he cared so much. "I'm so proud of you". He said, his eyes glistening as I opened my own eyes. He held his breath, as he kissed my cheek and I walked across the stage. I smiled as I walked down the stage and took a seat. The hundred roll call of students I had become frequented with passed by, my heart smiling as my friends passed by. The people I had learned to love, to cherish. As soon as it was over, I ran to my family. Each with hugs and bouquets of flowers, each and every single one of them had shown up. Avery had come as well as Caroline and Alison too, and Leah as well, and Vi and her had been t
One year Later Tomorrow was a big day. The end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one, filled with adventures, sadness, and joy. But most importantly that independent feeling of searching for yourself amongst the other millions let out to the world. And it was amusing, satisfying and uplifting to know I was able to take this journey on with my best friend. "Mel". Natalie knocked on the door, then opened it. And as she stared at me in the exceptional white dress I had picked, tears watered down her face. I was going to be let out on my own, no longer hers. But the world's in a way. "You look beautiful". She gushed, my cheeks blushing a maddening red. She wiped the tears from her cheeks as I turned to face the mirror, my own reflection beaming back at me. "Tomorrow's a big day, huh?" She said, her voice rising and soft from the tears. She understood it, the feeling of saying goodbye, letting go. "What if I'm not ready?" I asked her, my voice stumbling on the next words to come
She was smiling, the brightest I had ever seen her smile. As she was surrounded with people who loved her. She was happy, to have freedom, to not feel trapped on a hospital floor.It had been three weeks since we had arrived back, and Dallas and I had thrown her a party. A party for the masses, with her friends from the hospital visiting, even that small sweet boy who she wanted to watch a movie with. She was happy, and healthy and safe and she was responding amazingly to the medicine that she was on.It was weird to say she was okay now, I think even Dallas had no idea what to do with himself. He was completely immersing himself in his new project ever since he's gotten back. Keeping it under the wraps for me I assume, but the mysteries behind him will unveil soon, I'm sure.But I felt at peace, the kinks of our relationship fixed to the most we could try. He and I were like lightning every single day. The most amazing chemistry that lived beneath us.Vi was the
It has been five days, of waiting, of breathing each other's air in the small hospital room we were given. We spent the past five days talking. His mind apologizing for every single misstep he could've made. But the issues lied there, he needed help. He needed help more than anyone else here, signally defined by the fact that he wanted to believe that he didn't have anyone. That he was all alone.That he didn't have a system supporting him, a system looking out for him.I wanted to carry his weight, take on his pain, but he carried so much that it was already a part of him. I don't think he knew how to part with it when it was all over. And it saddened me more than anything. It saddened me that this was his life, filled with pain of all sorts. He was afraid to have a life without it I think."She'll be awake soon". I said, softly, stroking his hair to the side as he laid on my lap."She's supposed to be awake already". He said, sighing as we both stared at
He left the office with a stab in his heart, as I chased after him. He was angry, upset at every negative choice word I could think of to describe him and he hated me."Dallas. Please". I yelled out at as he turned to look at me. His eyes stone cold in anger towards me, my heart beating madly as he ravaged me with a single look, brushing into the very depths of my eyes."You don't get to follow me, you don't get to say my name. You are taking away the one person I've loved the most. The one person. I need her, and you-you don't get that". His tears strung high, his heart maddened like a lion roaring from the depths of his heart. He looked at me with hatred, something in all of these moments we shared he had never truly hated me, not like this, not like this moment."Just leave". He begged, my feet frozen in their very place. My mind lost into his eyes, the stare of hatred not of love. "Just leave". He begged again, his eyes ready to tear me apart, piece after p
The rush of the wind carried us home, well it tried to survive beneath us but the worry crept in as we loaded the plane. Vi stared longingly at the view before we stepped into the plane. Like she was saying goodbye to her heart as she left. Like her heart was being left here.Dallas had the same expression. He didn't know it, but it was written all over his face, the dread of returning. The dread of resurfacing the reality of our lives.He knew what this meant, this idea that everything was about to be gone, the memories, the truth. I think the reality of this hurt Dallas the most."Leaving is the worst part". Dallas said, his arm wrapping around Vi as she looked up at him. She smiled softly, aware of the situation she was in, aware of the world she was in. Aware of the ending to her story."I'm not getting better". She heaved out, her voice breaking, her heart melting. And I finally saw that she was holding all this in, because she didn't believe it would get th
It's a gawdy feeling. A gawdy feeling as my chest tightened staring out of the home's balcony. We were leaving today. Leaving our escape to a reality filled with nothing close to normalcy and I didn't and wouldn't be able to accept the fact that everyone was waiting for Vi to just give up. She didn't have it in her, she had the fight in her and it was apparent, apparently loud."Thinking of something?" A hand snaked around my waist, as I felt his head rest on my shoulder. I didn't know how his head was straight properly, I didn't know how he wasn't a mess, but whatever was working I hoped it continued for him."Just how- beautiful it is". Lie. An apparent lie. I wasn't a fan of forests. The empty nothing, empty nobody. They were amusing, but not what's in them. That's nothing but amusing."It is beautiful". He agreed. His small form of agreement won me over a million reasons why I should pry through his mind."I gave Vi her breathing treatment, but she's r
My stomach stormed aloud, my heart too as I looked down at Dallas from my bedroom window, there he stood with a bag of food and my work for the week. I had enjoyed the company of my personal mail boy more than I should've. I slid down my ladder out of the window as he smiled."I missed you". He said, pushing his hands around me as I looked over at him and he smiled, he moved his head to the side as I pulled myself against him. My lips locked with his as I breathed in his husky scent, the way the words rolled off his tongue."I missed you too." I said, kicking off the other bag he had brought. He moved it to the side as I heard the thud of my favorite thing, of my absolute favorite thing. He saw my curious look as he opened the bag wider and he moved the bag to the side and I saw books more and more books as I toppled over him, hugging him with everything I had in me."Thank you for keeping me from losing my mind". I said, watching as he looked at me with a proud smile