You keep telling me that I am free to go
But I am addicted to you
It's a lie
It's a lie
It's a lie
Sara sat down on the swing producing a creak underneath her weight, stretching her legs out in front of her.
Michael could sense her sadness, he too felt sad at the thought of her no longer by his side. "So, what's that you've got there?" Michael asked softly.
She shifted in her seat, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She finally looked up to see his face, looking at her with those knee weakening eyes. She smiled and handed the scrapbook to him. "It's a gift. For you."
As he reached out to take it from her, his fingertips slightly grazed her hand and she felt like time had stopped. She saw the unshed emotion in his eyes making her well up again.
"God, this is way harder than I thought it would be," Michael sniffed. "I thought I'd feel happy at finally getting rid of your ass Tancredi. No more harassment. No more soppy songs. No more of my t-shirts and hoodies disappearing from my room."
Sara grinned; she knew he was only teasing her. "They look much better on me anyways."
"I won't argue that." He smiled.
Holding the scrapbook in his hands, Michael began to slowly swing back and forth. He was trying really hard to control the emotion that overwhelmed him every time he thought of leaving Sara. Every time he pictured his new life without Sara constantly in it everyday, it terrified him. She was his rock, the very glue that supported and held him together. She was the voice of reason when he learnt of his acceptance to MIT as deep down in his heart he disagreed. Michael had been willing to forfeit the acceptance and stay with Sara in Chicago. Why? The simple truth was because he was in love with her. Two years ago, he joined her family's summer vacation in London and on a clear starry evening he realised this as they rode the Emirates Air Line cable car crossing the River Thames.
He smiled at the memory, how he got her on it in the first place despite her fear of heights is definitely one of his happiest achievements. Her parents and younger sister decided to pass the ride to visit the O2 arena. He teased and goaded her while they stood in the queue however this made her all the more determined to go on the cable car. Of course, she'd never back down on any challenge especially ones coming from him. Luckily, they had the cable car all to themselves and once they reached the middle, he had turned his head and looked across at her. Her big hazel green eyes sparkled with her excitement; her cheeks flushed with colour. She grinned at him and from that moment on, he saw her in another light. After years of friendship, he had fallen for her. But of course, he'd never told her that. He wasn't brave enough, afraid of the rejection he may have to face. Although, this wasn't strictly true. There had been this one drunken time he had decided to tell her. On one evening, at this very park, on these very swings they were currently sitting on, they were eating ice cream and Sara had a dribble down her chin. He reached across and wiped it with his thumb. His thumb lingered on her chin as she flashed one of her knee-weakening smiles his way, deciding he was going to tell her. As he opened his mouth to form the words, she just had spoken before him, informing him that she had a date that Friday. He closed his mouth and pushed his jealousy aside and pretended to be happy for her. And from that moment on, he had kept his feelings to himself. He could not handle being rejected from her. She meant way too much to him to lose her.
After a beat, she spoke. "Penny for your thoughts?"
He glanced up at the sound of her soft voice, he saw the sad expression in her eyes. He smiled, "I'm just thinking how much I'm going to miss you."
Sara could no longer keep it in, she loved this boy way too much. She started crying and before she knew it, he had pulled her to him and engulfed her body with his, hugging her as tightly as he could without hurting her. And she returned it. This was where she belonged, in his arms she thought.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Michael." She whispered into his chest.
He closed his eyes leaning into her hair, inhaling peachy scent, committing it to memory because that is all he can do.
Sara lifted her head to see his eyes closed, a tear coming down his cheek. "Promise me we'll keep in touch." She reached up and wiped the tear with her thumb ever so softly.
Without realising it, he leaned into her touch. "I promise." And he meant it.
He paused for a second to find his composure, this was not a good time for a friendly banter that usually ensues between them. He opened his eyes to find her gazing at him, her hand still on his cheek. Michael lifted his hand as his fingers lightly traced her cheek. Without saying a word, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. He stepped back and picked up the scrapbook he placed on the swing he occupied earlier on.
He turned back to her, "Take care Sara." He told her, forcing a smile. "I'll see you soon, okay?"
Sara nodded. This was it. He stepped forward and gave him a hug one last time. And she clung to him desperately.
"I love you, Michael." She whispered ever so softly, he just about heard it.
He closed his eyes; it was a good thing he was taller than her otherwise she might have seen the pain expression cross his face. "I love you too." He whispered into her hair. He finally broke their embrace, one of them had to.
"I got to go, Sara."
She smiled, choking back the tears. "Goodbye Michael."
Michael quickly turned around, holding her gift tightly in his hand. It took everything in him not to turn back around and look at her one last time. God knows if he did, he would stay.
