Summer had soon ended. Like Wade had said, he stole Zoe away every night. They laid on the beach gazing up at the stars, listening to the waves roll in. It had been a good time, letting things go back to the way they once had been. Those lazy nights under the stars had brought their relationship to a better place. After Zoe went back home they spent the nights at the pond, laying in each others arms.
Junior year went by way to fast for their liking, but once summer came they were happy to have one year left of high school. Zoe had plans on getting into the best medical school in the United States, Wade wasn't going to hold her back from her dreams. He had plans on going to college to better himself as well. But that wasn't how it had worked out for him.
Senior year was a blink of an eye. One moment they're walking into school with a whole year a head of them, the next minute they're named king and queen of the prom. The giddiness from that moment lasted until they headed into graduation where their nerves played a huge role in what was going to happen between them.
Over their last two years, they had dealt with their fair share of fights and agreements, disagreements if you will, but they were always able to work things out, before they got worse. Each time it brought them closer, that's part of why this time with Zoe leaving for school was just that much harder, because Wade needed her, like when he was 9, but he refused to let Zoe in on what was going on. They told no one outside the family, it was something they had to deal with themselves.
"I don't understand it, Wade. We had made this plan to live together away from the prying eyes of Bluebell, and you back out. What gives?" Zoe asked, pacing around her bedroom, packing the last of the things she was going to need for her stay at college.
"Just stuff, Zo," he replied, sitting on her bed. She was quick to turn to him, shaking her head. Brown locks flying around with the movement.
"No, Wade, it's not just stuff, I can see that!" She told him, annoyed beyond belief with him. "Do you take me as a fool?" She asked, feeling hot tears prick her eyes.
"I know you're not a fool, Zo. But really it's just stuff," he tried to reason with her.
"No, if it was just stuff, you wouldn't have dropped everything," she stated, going back to pacing, hearing a sigh come from her boyfriend. "It's like something huge, Wade. Like it has something to do with your family, but more importantly, like your Mom."
"Why do you say my Mom?" He asked, growing uncomfortable and tense. His gaze falling to the floor.
"Because if it had to do with Jesse you wouldn't put your future on hold like this. If it was your Dad, you still wouldn't. You love your Dad, I know that, but you'd do what you wanted still, but your ma, Wade. I saw how that broke you when we were kids, you'd drop everything in a heartbeat, to be there with her. Now what's going on? You know I'm not gonna judge, or pity you, I'm gonna be here giving you the strength you need. Oh please tell me Wade," she begged, forcing his eyes to lock with her own. Seeing the water build up, had Zoe hugging him tight. That's when he broke down, every wall he had built came crashing down. He couldn't stop the tears from pouring out. He clung onto Zoe like his life depended on her.
Zoe sat there hugging him, soothing him. Waiting for him to regain his composure. She knew it was bad, if he was crying. She didn't ever remember Wade crying over anything. She had to be there for him, like he had been there for her countless times.
"Zoe, it's bad," he said with a sniffle, his head resting on her shoulder. He didn't have the strength to move. He needed all the comfort he could get. Zoe said nothing remaining quiet, even though she felt her heart was slowly slipping to the pit of her stomach. "The cancer it's come back, and they can't do anything about it. We've tried, but it's outta our hands now." Hearing his words broke her. How could she move states away, when she was needed right here?
"Wade," Zoe started to say, only for him to cut her off with a kiss.
"No, Zoe. You can't put your dreams on hold for me. Go become the doctor you've always wanted to be. That's what I want. As much as I want to be selfish, I can't be. Please understand, Zoe." She knew how hard this was on him, forcing her to go when he really needed her. But she was conflicted on what to do. Jackie had been like a second mother to her, she couldn't leave and hope she'd still be hanging on when she made it back to visit. Would it hurt to take a year off and help Wade through this tough time in his life?
"I can do anything I want, Wade Kinsella," Zoe fired at him. "Don't be telling me otherwise. How do you expect me to pack my things and leave when I want to be here for you, to spend time with Jackie. You want to take that away from me? Because I'd regret getting on that plane leaving the ones I love behind to deal with themselves. Don't make me regret that," she pleaded with him.
"What about not going to college? Won't you regret that?" He asked, looking at her, wiping the stay tears from her rosy cheeks. "I don't want you to hate me because I made you stay behind and not go after your dream." He wouldn't be able to live with himself if she did that. Pushing her away seemed like the right thing to do.
"How can I ever hate you for the choice I want to make? College, it'll be there. Hell, Wade I can always go to school in Mobile or Fairhope. Just don't take my choice away okay?" She asked him, nuzzling into the warmth of his hand.
"Okay," he replied, moving so that he was holding her. His eyes drifting shut. Zoe rested her head on his chest listening to the soft thumping from his heart. She had a lot to consider, and it wasn't going to be easy. Nothing about this situation was easy.
Last minute note: This chapter turned out different than I had planned. I was actually getting things wrapped up to end this story, I had it all planned out, but this chapter has put a wrench in that plan. I tried to change things, but I couldn't do it.
