Chapter five: The end doesn't mean it's over

The sky was still dark when she opened her eyes. She was feeling numb, dizzy but strangely happy. She looked around the empty room, searching for something familiar that she didn't find. Wrapping her, the large arm around her uncovered waist kept her warm. She touched the fingers, pretending they were hers. Slowly, she turned to see the boy lying next to her. He looked so peaceful, tender like a kid. He was so perfect even in his sleep. The moonlight was falling in his back, like little drops of rain. The blonde kid opened his eyes and kissed the girl watching him.

Hi

Hi

They smiled and kissed again deeply.

Hey, last night was…

I know.-said the boy, while taking her reddish girl's hair out of her forehead.

He held her closer pulling her so tightly as if he feared she would run away.

It's back.

What's back?

The spark on your eyes

Vaughn frowned his eyebrow confused. She gave her a "you-know" look but he didn't. She said

Just something that made you look so you.

It is back.

Silence grew between them, threatening on ending the evening. The smile on the girl's face vanished as the moon headed up.

You're going away, aren't you.

Josie don't…- his smile wiped too

You are.

I have to.

I know.

If…

Don't. Wishing something doesn't make it happen.

But I do.

I know you do Vaughn.

We've been really stupid, ha?- mocking a smile

Guess that's how it was supposed to be

Not fair

Not at all

I have to…

No you don't, please! You can't say that and go. It's too painful.

No words. A tear crossed the girl's face. The moon was hiding already. Dawn was close.

The sun will rise soon.

Let's just … stay like this, ok? Let's stay like this until…-a melancholic male voice pronounced these words, choking.

Memories crossed their hearts, tears unspoken, missing kisses. There's nothing they could say or do, just make that moment as long as they could. Maybe, it would last forever…

The clock on the neatest girl's table indicated 9:00 a.m. She was already dressed and ready to go. Unsecured whether to wake up her fellow or not, she was walking around the room nervously, causing the other girl to get up.

Corrine? Why on earth are you doing so much noise?

Josie! I didn't mean to wake you up. I was just wondering…

What?

I don't know if you want to know.

What?

I don't know if I should tell you.

Could you cut the drama Corrine. What is it?

Vaughn.

What about him?

He's leaving in an hour.

I know.

Do you?

Yes. So, was that the big secret?

It's just, he's coming here first to say goodbye.

And you're going?

Well, the guys and I were thinking that it would be nice.

Sure.

The black girl stood there trying to say something.

Is there anything else you want to tell me?

Josie, he's going away.

You already said that.

He's going away, for good.

I know.

I think… you should go.

No

Josie, listen to me…

No! Corrine I can't, ok?

I know that right now, you don't see it but one day you'll regret it and then, there'll be nothing you can do.

I can't. Sorry

Your call. Anyway, he should be here in about 20 minutes, at the front yard. Bye

Bye

The taller girl left the place. Inside, a thoughtful Josie was looking down the window, trying to get a peek of the boy who was departing.

I knew how it felt to be
another one in need
of someone to show the way
until you saw a part of me
that nobody else could see
and my life hasn't been the same

Vaughn- said a crying voice- I can't believe you're really going!

I'm gonna miss everyone here too- responded the overwhelm teen.

It's gonna be so hard not to see you everyday. I'm going to miss you a lot – She said it crying even harder and giving him a hug.

Sure Madison. Me too.-pushing her away.- Bye

He said this with a cold handshake that wasn't exactly what she was looking for but she disguise her annoy with a terrible fake smile.

I'd better go inside or I might get to emotional. Bye Vaughn!

Bye Madison- he looked relieved.

Then, it was the turn of the football team to tell him goodbye. They made some weird gestures, mumbled some monosyllables and gave each other some punches on the arms, while the members of the science club looked amazed at this primitive demonstration of male bonding. The guys went inside to practice and then, the science group was the last on saying goodbye. Z was the first to talk

It's been so long since the day you entered the science club.

I was such a brat then.

Ha- the teacher smiled- You're gonna be fine Vaughn. You're a good kid. - He put a hand on his shoulder parent-like.

Thanks Z. That means a lot to me.

Marshall was the next

Hey man. It's going to be weird ending the year without Mr. popularity around.

Funny

Seriously Vaughn, we're all going to miss you.

I'm going to miss you too guys.

Good luck.

Same to you.

They gave each other a path on the back and laughed. Corrine talked after her boyfriend.

Vaughn, I'm sorry about everything.

About what?

You know, not talking to you and blaming you for… I was obnoxious.

It's ok Corrine, really.

Vaughn looked behind to the corridors as if he was waiting for someone else to appear. Corrine noticed and she couldn't help telling him the truth

She told me she wasn't ready. Sorry

There's nothing to be sorry. You're a good friend and I'll always remember that.

Have a nice trip Vaughn and don't forget to write, ok?- they hug friendly

I won't, I promise.

Lucas was the last one. The relation between them had always been tense and tormented. They'd never seen eye to eye. Being in love with the same girl could cause that, but this year some things had change and some things would always stay the same.

So…

So…

Long trip, ah?

Yeah, tiring.

They looked at the pavement looking for words. Marshall meddled in

Enough with the Stew remembrances guys!

Marshall!- said Corrine with a shush look. The boys smiled and looked at each other.

This whole year is been…- started Lucas

Crappy?- answered the blond kid sarcastically

Weird

Not a strange description in this school, don't you think?

Guess not. We argued a lot but in the end, you weren't that bad

Shi thanks. – he said it smiling. Just kidding man. I'm glad we're fine Lucas, aren't we?

Yap, we're just fine.

They shook hands diplomatically and grinned. The taller kid walked away towards the limousine behind him.

I'd better get going. Don't wanna miss my flight. Bye guys

Bye Vaughn

He opened the door, watching the group getting inside. He was about to get in when he looked up to that window he would never see again. He felt disappointed when he found it empty but it probably was for the best. Anyway, time would tell…

A lonely boy sitting on those uncomfortable chairs in the airport, waiting for his flight to get soon. All he could hear were those strange machines-like-voices trough the megaphones, calling insignificant announcements from a crowded lonely place. A melancholic smile and shining eyes that made him look as if he wasn't there, trying in vain to disguise he didn't belong.

Passengers for the flight 35003 destined to Paris, France, please get on board. -announced the robotic girl.

Looking back to his past, the blonde kid turned around, walking ahead.

You weren't possibly be leaving without saying goodbye, were you?- asked a squeaky voice from behind.

What took you so long?

Why were you so sure I'd come?

Instinct

Brash!

The two teens were standing there without anything else to say. Neither of them wanted to wreck the moment with a bunch of useless words.

Last call to all passengers of the 35003…-called the woman again

That's my plane.

So, see ya?

Sure, whatever

They walked on different directions only to stop a couple of minutes later and return to have that great last kiss the neither of them would ever forget, all of this while the most romantic, promising and melancholic song of Maroon 5 was playing on the back.

Goodbye Vaughn

Goodbye Josie

Josie, what's that hanging from your neck?

A diamante.- answered the girl naturally

What! What do you mean with a diamante? Who gave it to you?- screamed Corrine

Vaughn, after he dropped me off this morning- she told her distractedly while looking for her Modest Mouse cd.

Vaughn? This morning? He gave you a diamante? When did the two of you made up? Explain!

Let's just say we're ok. And the diamante- she said this admiring the beautiful jewel hanging on her neck- it's a promise.

A promise? What do you mean? Are you and Vaughn back together? Josie!

Everyone on the plane was falling asleep. The only one who didn't look tired was this young guy reading a letter over and over. Maybe, it was from a friend or a parent or, perhaps, it was from that someone who he loved the most. Possibly that small piece of paper had been hidden in a small box in a filthy closet for months and had been just recently rediscovered. Maybe this wasn't a letter but only a simple message, a graffiti made carelessly but which meaning could reveal that what we currently mistake with the end, is not the real one.

Maybe this dreamer was seeing too much into a stupid little heart and an arrow with two names in the middle and a "4ever" wrote on the bottom. Probably he was hoping it could be true, that his destiny was wrote in that small sheet, assuring him a future next to that girl he dreamed about every night. Who would believe that paper could define our way in life? Maybe it couldn't but hopes and feelings could.